Pope Francis said, in an interview with the Associated Press news agency, that the laws that criminalize homosexuality are unjust and that “being homosexual is not a crime (…), but it is a sin.”
Francis acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws that criminalize homosexuality or discriminate against the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community, and admitted that he himself refers to the issue in terms of “sin.”
The Catholic Church leader also argued that these bishops, in particular, need to go through a process of change to recognize the dignity of all. “These bishops have to go through a conversion process,” he said, adding that they must act with “tenderness, (…) as God has with each one of us.”
Some 67 countries or jurisdictions around the world criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity, 11 of which can or do impose the death penalty, according to The Human Dignity Trust, a UK-based non-governmental organization that works to end such laws.
Experts say that even when laws are not enforced, they contribute to harassment, stigma and violence against LGBTQ people.
The United Nations has repeatedly called for an end to laws that openly criminalize homosexuality, saying they violate the rights to privacy and liberty and constitute a violation of countries’ obligations under international law to protect human rights. regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Declaring such laws “unjust,” Francis said the Catholic Church could and should work to end them. “[A Igreja Católica] must do this. You have to do it,” she maintained.
Francis cited the catechism of the Catholic Church, arguing that homosexuals should be welcomed and respected, and should not be marginalized or discriminated against.
“We are all children of God, and God loves us just as we are and for the strength with which each one of us fights for our dignity,” Francis said in an interview Tuesday at the Vatican.
These laws are common in Africa and the Middle East and date back to British colonial times or are inspired by Islamic law. Some Catholic bishops have strongly defended them as consistent with Vatican teaching that homosexual activity is “inherently disturbing,” while others have called for their abolition as a violation of basic human dignity.
In 2019, Francis was expected to issue a statement opposing the criminalization of homosexuality during a meeting with human rights groups that have conducted research on the effects of such laws and so-called “conversion therapy.”
The Pope ended up not meeting with the groups, who did meet with the “number two” of the Vatican, who reaffirmed “the dignity of every human person and against all forms of violence.”
On Tuesday, Francis said there had to be a distinction between a crime and a sin when it comes to homosexuality.
“Being homosexual is not a crime,” he said. “It is not a crime. Yes, but it is a sin. Very good, but first let’s distinguish between a sin and a crime, ”she explained, and then added:“ It is also a sin to lack charity with one’s neighbor.
Catholic doctrine holds that while homosexuals should be treated with respect, homosexual acts are the result of a disorder. Francis hasn’t changed that doctrine, but he has made reaching out to the LGBTQ community a hallmark of the papacy.
Starting with the famous 2013 statement, “Who am I to judge?”, when asked about an alleged gay priest. As archbishop of Buenos Aires, he supported granting legal protection to same-sex couples, an alternative to upholding same-sex marriage, which Catholic doctrine prohibits.
Francis has come under fire from the LGBTQ Catholic community following a 2021 decree from the Vatican’s doctrinal office saying the church cannot bless same-sex unions “because God cannot bless sin.”
The Vatican in 2008 refused to sign a UN statement calling for the decriminalization of homosexuality, claiming that the text went beyond the original scope and also included language about “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” that it considered problematic.
For this reason, the Vatican urged countries to avoid “unfair discrimination” against homosexuals and to end discriminatory sanctions.
Source: TSF
