Homosexuality is not a crime: Pope
“Being homosexual isn’t a crime,” Francis saidFrancis acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws that criminalize homosexuality or discriminate against the LGBTQ community, 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.
Some 67 countries or jurisdictions worldwide criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity, 11 of which can or do impose the death penalty, according to The Human Dignity Trust, which works to end such laws. Experts say even where the laws are not enforced, they contribute to harassment, stigmatization and violence against LGBTQ people.
Declaring such laws “unjust,” Francis said the Catholic Church can and should work to put an end to them. “It must do this. It must do this,” he said. Francis’ remarks come ahead of a trip to Africa, where such laws are common as they are in the Middle East. Many date from British colonial times or are inspired by Islamic law. Some Catholic bishops have strongly upheld them as consistent with Vatican teaching, while others have called for them to be overturned as a violation of basic human dignity.
. The issue had never been raised in an interview, but Francis willingly responded, citing even the statistics about the number of countries where homosexuality is criminalized.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pope Francis calls laws criminalizing homosexuality 'unjust''Being homosexual is not a crime ... but it's a sin,' the pope told AP in an interview published today.
Read more »
The AP Interview: Pope Francis: '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.
Read more »
The AP Interview: Pope Francis: ‘Homosexuality not a crime’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.
Read more »
Pope Francis says homosexuality isn’t a ‘crime,’ urges churches to be more inclusivePope Francis acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws that criminalize homosexuality or discriminate against the LGBTQ community.
Read more »
Pope Francis: Homosexuality Is Not a ‘Crime’The pontiff criticized laws in 67 countries that make homosexuality illegal in a wide-ranging interview with the Associated Press.
Read more »
Pope Francis says homosexuality is a ‘sin,’ but ‘not a crime’Pope Francis criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust” and called on Catholic bishops who support the laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church.
Read more »