Gloria Ogbu
Pope Francis has said that homosexuality is sin but not a crime, noting that laws criminalizing homosexuals are “unjust,” because being homosexual is not a crime.
The Pope who said this during an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, January 25, said that 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.
In his words: “Being homosexual isn’t 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.
“It’s also a sin to lack charity with one another,” he added.
Francis also acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws that criminalize homosexuality or discriminate against the LGBTQ community, 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.
“These bishops have to have a process of conversion applying tenderness, please, as God has for each one of us.”
“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.