What Could the Pope's Comments Mean for Laws on LGBTQ Issues?
Summary from the AllSides News Team
"Being homosexual isn't a crime," Pope Francis said in a recent interview with the Associated Press (Lean Left bias). What could that mean for laws regarding religion and LGBTQ issues around the world?
For Context: The pope later added that being gay is "not a crime. Yes, but it’s a sin. Fine, but first let’s distinguish between a sin and a crime." Pope Francis previously urged acceptance of the LGBTQ community, saying in 2020 that "“Homosexual people have a right to be in a family." The remarks don't change the church's official position on homosexuality and same-sex marriage. In 2021, the Vatican said the church could not bless same-sex marriages. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that gay people "must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity" but are "called to chastity."
Positive Shift?: A writer for Slate implied that the comments could spark legal reform in Catholic-centric countries, and said the pope "called on bishops in regions with harsh views of gay people to rid themselves of that mentality."
Negative Shift?: A Christian columnist said that "We are witnessing a monumental event in the history of the Church, the beginning of an outright civil war in the church."
Status Quo?: A writer for The Daily Wire criticized the AP and for purportedly inflating the story, and said that "Pope Francis has long said that the Catholic Church is open to all" and "Jesus Christ famously preached tolerance and understanding for all of God’s children."
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Pope Francis Just Called for the Decriminalization of Homosexuality Worldwide
In comments Catholic LGBTQ advocates described as “historic,” Pope Francis called for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality—making him the first pope to ever take such a stance.
“Being homosexual is not a crime,” he said in an interview with the Associated Press, which was published on Wednesday. “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.”
“And being homosexual is not a crime,” he said again. “It’s a human condition.”
The...
From the Right
Woke Pope? Nope. Francis Made No News With Gay Declaration.
The hard-Left Associated Press blared the “news” from the rooftops: “Pope says homosexuality not a crime,” screamed the headline on Wednesday.
“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,” said the lead.
“‘Being homosexual isn’t a crime,’ Francis said during an exclusive interview Tuesday with The Associated Press.”
The AP went further, saying: “Francis’ comments, which were hailed by gay rights advocates as a milestone,...
From the Center
Pope Francis Condemning Gay Marriage Bans Highlights Catholic 'Civil War'
Pope Francis took one of his strongest positions yet against legislation around the world that criminalizes homosexuality or otherwise discriminates against LGBTQ individuals Tuesday, seemingly indicating that the leadership of the Catholic Church—long divided over the question of its position toward the community—was beginning to take a firmer position of solidarity with the LGBTQ community.
"Being homosexual isn't a crime," Francis said during an exclusive interview with the Associated Press published Wednesday.
While Francis still referred to homosexuality in the context of "sin," the comments were lauded by many who saw the comments as...
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