Pope Francis Condemning Gay Marriage Bans Highlights Catholic 'Civil War'
newsweek.comhis 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 one of the first public steps by a Catholic pope to affirm the religion's acceptance of members of the LGBTQ community who have long felt maligned by the Catholic tradition."Pope Francis's historic call for the decriminalization of homosexuality worldwide is an immense step forward for LGBTQ people, their families and all who love them," James Martin, a priest and editor of the Jesuit America Magazine wrote in response to the news Wednesday."This is the first time that any Pope has made such a clear statement about this issue of life and death," he added. "In some countries, same-sex relations are still a criminal offense; and in several countries you can be executed for being LGBTQ.
As such, Pope Francis is siding, as he always does, with life, with human dignity and with the belief that all of us are created in the image of God.""Criminalization based on sexual orientation is contrary to international human rights law," tweeted Victor Madrigal-Borloz, a United Nations independent expert on sexual orientation and gender identity. "I welcome this recognition by @Pontifex."The timing of the pope's comments,.
