The media have a knack of turning giving liberal activists a platform when it covers the Catholic Church. The latest example is CNN's Chris Cuomo turning to Episcopalian bishop/LGBT activist Gene Robinson moments after Pope Francis spoke at the White House on Wednesday. Cuomo noted that Robinson was part of "a number of people that were seen as controversial" among the invited guests at the presidential event, and tossed softballs at the liberal guest regarding his pet cause: "You are controversial, sir. Do you feel that way, and what do you think it is about?" [video below]
Robinson, who is now a senior fellow at the left-wing Center for American Progress, replied to Cuomo's lead question by stating, "I didn't feel very controversial standing in the middle of 15,000 people – far, far away from the Pope. I was honored and humbled to be invited, to be here at the White House, to help welcome the Pope. But the controversy, I think, was a bit of a tempest in a teapot."
The anchor followed up by explaining that "you were the first openly-gay bishop in the Episcopal Church. There is reporting that the Vatican pushed back, and said, we're worried about some of these invitees – namely, a gay bishop – because it could be a photo op. It could be used to push a policy agenda that does not reflect the Holy Father or the Vatican. Fair criticism and concern?" Robinson responded, in part, that "I never expected to meet the Pope...So I'm left wondering who stirred this up...you know, some conservative Catholic groups...are really trying to undermine the wonderful ministry that he has shown us so far."
Cuomo kept up the kid glove treatment as they discussed the marriage issue:
CHRIS CUOMO: Was it wrong for the White House to invite somebody that may test the position of the Vatican?
BISHOP GENE ROBINSON, EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE: I don't think so. This was America's welcome to the Pope. And, as far as I can tell, this crowd represented America – and America is incredibly diverse. And so, this crowd should have been diverse.
CUOMO: And you don't believe the pushback came from the Vatican – even though it is quoted from a Vatican high source?
ROBINSON: You know, this pope needs the least protection of any pope that I've lived to see. He is – he is strong. One gay bishop in the middle of a crowd of 15,000 people is not anything this pope would be intimidated by.
CUOMO: Catholics – the – the catechism – the teaching on gay marriage – is that there is none. It is between a man and a woman. What Pope Francis has said that resonated was – one, he used the word 'gay.' And when there's been no steps, a small step matters. But he has never said in any way that he believes in gay marriage. He just said, 'Who am I to judge' a person for being gay? Do you think we make too much of Pope Francis's progress, as some would see it?
ROBINSON: Well, I think it is progress, and it – mostly, it is a change in tone. What I hope is – is that over the course of his ministry, as he meets with gay and lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people – as he's already begun to do – his own views about our families will change. I mean, he – he cares about families.
Before they moved on to discussing other topics, the CNN journalist pointed out that during the Pope's speech, "marriage and families – he said it in his speech, that it's a key moment in our history of civilization – there is fair speculation that gay marriage has no place in that discussion for Pope Francis." Cuomo then asked, "Are you okay with that?" Robinson used his answer to play up that the momentum had shifted in favor of his cause:
ROBINSON: I understand that that's where he and the Roman Catholic Church is right now. Although, I must say...a majority of lay Catholics favor gay marriage. So, there's a – there's this disconnect between the hierarchical leadership and the people in the pews – because they know us. They know our families. We are their sons and daughters. So this is not something out of the laity's realm of experience. It is out of the realm of the Pope's experience.
