COSA's Open Letter,

Concluded.

approved." [CCC, Number 2357]

Therefore, and mindful of the adage, qui mange le Pape, meurt, we seek not to "eat of the pope" but to plead with him for clarity:

• Do you, Pope Francis, believe that homosexual acts are "acts of grave depravity," as the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches here?

• Do you, Pope Francis, believe that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered," as the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches here?

• Do you, Pope Francis, believe that homosexual acts are "contrary to natural law," as the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches here?

• Do you, Pope Francis, believe that homosexual acts can "under no circumstances be approved," as the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches here?

The people of God must know the truth, Holiness, as must the pastors of souls, the children of the world, and the LGBT community. The "field hospital" is filled to capacity with those desperate for the medicine of clear and unambiguous Catholic teaching. And for the patient, there can be no greater mercy than the forthright honesty of the good physician. Therefore, we have informed the ladies and gentlemen of the press that on 23 February next, in the city of Rome, our Coalition will call upon our brothers and sisters the world over—be they gay, straight, protestant, Catholic, Jew, Muslim, atheist or non-believer—to join their voices to ours in requesting clarification from the Chair of Saint Peter: Do you, Pope Francis, uphold as binding and true, the Catholic Church’s constant and authoritative teaching— based on the laws of God and Nature— that homosexual acts are immoral, unnatural and can never be justified?

All men and women on earth—but especially those who identify as homosexual—have a right before God to know the truth. They await your answer, as do we. Please hear us and be assured of our continued prayers for the healing and unity of Christ’s suffering Church.

Yours in Christ Crucified, COSA (Coalition of Saint Athanasius) ■