“Homosexuality Is A “Sin” But Not A “Crime” – Pope Francis

Pope Francis has said that homosexuality is a “sin” but not a “crime” while criticizing the “unjust” policies that punish gay people.

The 86-year-old stated in an interview on Tuesday that God loves his children just as they are and urged bishops to support regulations allowing LGBTQ people to be received into the church.

The Associated Press quoted him as saying: “Being homosexual isn’t a crime.”

He acknowledged that Catholic bishops support laws that criminalize homosexuality or that discriminate against the LGBTQ community in various parts of the world and referred to the issue as a “sin.” However, he ascribed such viewpoints to cultural contexts and stated that bishops in particular needed to go through a transformational process to acknowledge the dignity of everyone.

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

The United Nations (UN) has repeatedly urged countries to stop passing laws that explicitly criminalize homosexuality, claiming that doing so violates humans’ rights to privacy and the elimination of all forms of discrimination, as well as their obligations under international law to safeguard the human rights of all individuals regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Francis called such regulations “unjust” and suggested that the Catholic Church fight to abolish them.

“It must do this. It must do this,” he said.

Francis cited the Catholic Church’s Catechism in stating that homosexuals must be accepted and respected and should not face prejudice or discrimination.

Speaking from his residence, a hotel in the Vatican, 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.”

I believe homosexuality should not be forced on anyone. The church is against homosexuality but doesn’t preach hate against homosexuals.

A homosexual is welcome at the church but don’t try to push the church to change its beliefs.