Pope Francis has reiterated that homosexuality is “not a crime” in a new interview with The Associated Press, which covered a wide range of topics, including laws that criminalize homosexuality and sodomy.
“Being homosexual is not a crime. It’s not a crime. Yes, but it’s a sin. Fine, but first let’s distinguish between a sin and a crime,” the Pope Francis said. “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 added.
The Catholic Church has long condemned any forms of unjust discrimination of those with same-sex attraction, including laws in dozens of countries that criminalize homosexuality and sodomy.
The Vatican also stated at the time that “the Christian community and its Pastors are called to welcome with respect and sensitivity persons with homosexual inclinations and will know how to find the most appropriate ways, consistent with Church teaching, to proclaim to them the Gospel in its fullness.”
Nevertheless, In 2021 the Vatican’s doctrinal office issued a clarification approved by Pope Francis that the Church cannot bless same-sex unions because “God cannot bless sin.” Besides, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered” and “under no circumstances can they be approved.”
In spite of Pope Francis, much work still to be done in the Catholic Church.
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