" Being homosexual is not a crime but a sin ."
This sentence, pronounced a few days ago by Pope Francis during an interview with the Associated Press , aroused the indignation of many who considered it unjust and discriminatory. Bergoglio's clarifications were not long in coming. Responding to a letter from Father James Martin , the American Jesuit who carries out his apostolate among LGBT people, the Pontiff clarified the meaning of his statements. “ I was simply referring to the teaching of Catholic morality which says that any sexual act outside of marriage is a sin . We must take into account the circumstances that diminish or cancel the guilt since sin exists and coexists with freedom and intention . To those who want to criminalize homosexuality I would like to say that they are wrong".
«Already from the context of the interview - underlines the website of the Holy See, Vatican News , relaunching the content of the letter - it was clear that Francis had spoken of homosexuality, meaning in that case "homosexual acts" and not the homosexual condition itself. With his answer, the Pope reiterates that his position , already repeated since the first interview with journalists on the return flight from Brazil in 2013 ("If a person is gay and seeks the Lord and has good will, but who am I to judge it?”), is that of the Catechism of the Catholic Church . Responding to Father Martin, the Pope also underlines, with regard to sin, that we must also consider the circumstances , which diminish or cancel the guilt , because we know well that Catholic morality, in addition to matter, values freedom, intention; and this for every kind of sin.”
(Unioneonline/vf)
