The AP Interview: Pope says homosexuality not a crime

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust,” saying God loves all his children just as they are and called on Catholic bishops who support the laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church.

“Being homosexual isn’t a crime,” Francis said during an exclusive interview Tuesday with The Associated Press.

Link to AP website:

https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-gay-rights-ap-interview-1359756ae22f27f87c1d4d6b9c8ce212?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=TopNews&utm_campaign=position_01

Francis acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws that criminalize homosexuality or discriminate against LGBTQ people, and he himself referred to the issue in terms of “sin.” But he attributed such attitudes to cultural backgrounds, and said bishops in particular need to undergo a process of change to recognize the dignity of everyone.

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“These bishops have to have a process of conversion,” he said, adding that they should apply “tenderness, please, as God has for each one of us.”

Francis’ comments, which were hailed by gay rights advocates as a milestone, are the first uttered by a pope about such laws. But they are also consistent with his overall approach to LGBTQ people and belief that the Catholic Church should welcome everyone and not discriminate.

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Now, Whither Synodality?

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Article by Gerry O’Hanlon SJ, published in Go, Rebuild My House by Sacred Heart University: https://sacredheartuniversity.typepad.com//2022/11/now-whither-synodality.html?fbclid=IwAR3E3rCCSpvtap-EEMgwDni6vADLGGHU4qtjt6Q1-DYbp-s0YoK8loHwj94 11/17/2022 With the publication in October 2022 of the Document for the Continental Stage (DCS) we…

5 Comments

  1. Paddy Ferry says:

    Thank God for Francis!!

    Reply
    1. Pat Savage says:

      I think he also mentioned “sin” but sure look the next thing we will told by certain clergy that ‘sin’ isn’t a reality it’s just a man made function.

      Reply
      1. Michael J. Toner says:

        One of the main themes of the pontificate of Francis has been the utter dependency we all have on God`s mercy. Which is so because we sin. So it`s not as if he`s unaware of it or wishes to pretend it doesn`t exist.

        Reply
    2. Joe O'Leary says:

      A tiny step, like saying ‘it’s not a crime to be Jewish…’

      Reply

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