In a recent exclusive interview with the Associated Press, Pope Francis hit out at countries which still criminalise homosexuality and urged bishops and other Catholics to be more accepting of the LGBTIQ+ community. 

He told the interviewer how being gay ‘is not a crime. Yes, but it’s a sin. Fine, but first let’s distinguish between a sin and a crime’

He went on to highlight how a lack of kindness or discrimination also goes against God. ‘It’s also a sin to lack charity with one another’ he said. 

The Pope acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws which criminalise homosexuality or discriminate against it. However, he attributed such attitudes to cultural backgrounds and said that these bishops need to undergo a process of conversion wherein they apply tenderness and acknowledge the dignity of everyone. 

Around 67 countries or jurisdictions worldwide criminalise consensual same-sex activity. According to the Human Dignity Trust, 11 of these can or do impose death penalties in regards to this issue. 

The comments were met with a mixed bag of reactions. Some acknowledged that this was big coming from the head of the Vatican, saying that despite the rhetoric of sinfulness, it is still a big step in the right direction. 

Others however still called this lip-service, as calling homosexuality a sin is still discriminatory, even if denouncing homosexuality being a crime. 

Francis did to mention transgender or non-binary people, but some advocates LGBTIQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church still hailed the Pope’s comments as a momentous advance.

#MaltaDaily