Pope Francis in defense of homosexuals: “They must be welcomed and respected: it is not a crime”
“Being homosexual is not a crime“. So said Pope Francis in an interview with Associated Press in which he labels laws criminalizing homosexuality as “unjust”.
Pope Francis stressed that God loves all his children as they are and called on Catholic bishops who support those laws to welcome LGBTQA+ people into the Church.
The Pontiff acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws that criminalize homosexuality or discriminate against the LGBTQA+ community, and he himself referred to the issue in terms of “sin”.
But he attributed such attitudes to cultural contexts, and said bishops in particular must undergo a process of change to recognize everyone’s dignity: “These bishops must have a process of conversion,” he said, adding that they should apply ” tenderness, as God has for each of us”.
The pontiff quoted the Catechism of the Catholic Church when he said that i gay they must be welcomed And respect yourselfand should not be marginalized or discriminated against: “We are all children of God, and God loves us as we are and for the strength that each of us fights for our dignity,” he said.
He also stressed that there must be a distinction between a crime and a sin regarding homosexuality: “Being homosexual is not a crimebut it’s a pity.” “It’s also a pity to lack charity with one another,” he added.
The anti-sodomy laws in the United States
In the US, more than 12 states still have it anti-sodomy laws on the books, despite a 2003 Supreme Court ruling declaring them unconstitutional. Gay rights advocates say outdated laws are being used to harass homosexuals and point to new legislation, such as law “Don’t say gay“ in Florida, which prohibits education about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, as evidence of continued efforts to marginalize LGBTQA+ people.
The United Nations has repeatedly called for the end of the laws that criminalize homosexuality outright, saying they violate the rights to privacy and freedom from discrimination and are a violation of countries’ obligations under international law to protect the human rights of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
declaring such “unjust” lawsFrancis said the Catholic Church can and should work to end it. “He has to do it,” he said.
About 67 countries or jurisdictions worldwide criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity, 11 of which can or impose the death penalty, according to The Human Dignity Trust, which works to end those laws. Experts say that even where the laws are not enforced, they contribute to harassment, stigmatization and violence against LGBTQ+ people.
The criticisms of cardinals and bishops
The criticisms of cardinals and bishops that erupted in public in the weeks following the death of Benedict XVI, have been unpleasant “like a rash that annoys you a little”, but it is better than keeping them hidden, because in any case they “help to grow” even if it is “better if they are done on the face”, declared the pontiff. “You prefer them not to criticize, for the sake of peace of mind,” he explained, “But I prefer them to because it means there is freedom of speech.”
“If that weren’t the case, there would be a dictatorship of distance, as I call it, where the emperor is there and nobody can tell him anything.” “No, let them talk because… Criticism helps you grow and make things better.”
The oppositions, he then specified, “I would not relate to Benedict XVI, but to the wear and tear of a 10-year government”, continued Francis. At first the election of a South American Pope was greeted with a sense of “surprise”, then discomfort came “when they began to see my defects and did not appreciate them. The only thing I ask is that I face it, because that’s how we all grow up, right?”, added the Pope.
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