Democratic vice presidential nominee
Tim Kaine on Saturday said that the Roman Catholic Church may change
its opposition to gay marriage.
Speaking at the Human Rights Campaign's
(HRC) national dinner in Washington, Kaine, a devout Catholic, talked
about his own struggle to reconcile LGBT rights and his faith.
“My support for marriage equality
now, my full, complete, unconditional support for marriage equality
is at odds with the current doctrine of the church that I still
attend,” Kaine said. “But I think that's going to change too.”
“I think it's going to change because
my church also teaches me about a creator [who] in the first chapter
of Genesis … surveys the entire world, including mankind, and
[says], 'It is very good.'”
“Pope Francis famously said, 'Who am
I to judge?' And to that I want to add, who am I to challenge God
for the beautiful diversity of the human family? I think we're
supposed to celebrate it, not challenge it,” Kaine added to loud
applause.
Kaine also talked about how he came
around on the issue of equal marriage rights for gay couples, which
he did not support until 2005.
While serving as Virginia's lieutenant
governor, state lawmakers began a push for a constitutional amendment
defining marriage as a heterosexual union. He recalled speaking to
supporters who said that they hoped their amendment would drive LGBT
people out of Virginia.
“When I heard the proponents describe
their motivations, it became clearer to me where I should stand on
this,” Kaine said.