https://thestreetjournal.org/wunmi-toriola-was-the-bread-winner-despite-being-mentally-tortured-by-ex-husband-akeem-adeyemi-defends-colleague/

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 (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people into the church.

“Being homosexual isn’t a crime,” Francis disclosed this on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.

Francis acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws that criminalize homosexuality or discriminate against the LGBTQ community, and he himself referred to the issue in terms of “sin.” 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,” he said, adding that they should apply “tenderness, please, as God has for each one of us.”

According to AP News, Some 67 countries or jurisdictions worldwide criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity, 11 of which can or do impose the death penalty, according to The Human Dignity Trust, which works to end such laws. Experts say even where the laws are not enforced, they contribute to harassment, stigmatization and violence against LGBTQ people.

In the United States (US), more than a dozen states still have anti-sodomy laws on the books, despite a 2003 Supreme Court ruling declaring them unconstitutional. Gay rights advocates say the antiquated laws are used to harass homosexuals, and point to new legislation, such as the “Don’t say gay” law in Florida, which forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, as evidence of continued efforts to marginalize LGBTQ people.

The United Nations has repeatedly called for an end to laws criminalizing homosexuality outright, saying they violate rights to privacy and freedom from discrimination and are a breach of countries’ obligations under international law to protect the human rights of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Declaring such laws “unjust,” Francis said the Catholic Church can and should work to put an end to them. “It must do this. It must do this,” he said.

Francis quoted the Catechism of the Catholic Church in saying gays must be welcomed and respected, and should not be marginalized or discriminated against.

“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,” Francis said.

Such laws are common in Africa and the Middle East and date from British colonial times or are inspired by Islamic law. Some Catholic bishops have strongly upheld them as consistent with Vatican teaching that considers homosexual activity “intrinsically disordered,” while others have called for them to be overturned as a violation of basic human dignity.

In 2019, Francis had been expected to issue a statement opposing criminalization of homosexuality during a meeting with human rights groups that conducted research into the effects of such laws and so-called “conversion therapies.”

In the end, the pope did not meet with the groups, which instead met with with a clergy in the Vatican, who reaffirmed “the dignity of every human person and against every form of violence.”

On Tuesday, January 24, Francis said there needed to be a distinction between a crime and a sin with regard to homosexuality.

“Being homosexual is not a crime,” he said. “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.

Catholic teaching holds that while gays must be treated with respect, homosexual acts are “intrinsically disordered.” Francis has not changed that teaching, but he has made reaching out to the LGBTQ community a hallmark of his papacy.

Starting with his famous 2013 declaration, “Who am I to judge?” when he was asked about a purportedly gay priest, Francis has gone on to minister repeatedly and publicly to the gay and trans community. As archbishop of Buenos Aires, he favored granting legal protections to same-sex couples as an alternative to endorsing gay marriage, which Catholic doctrine forbids.

Despite such outreach, Francis was criticized by the Catholic LGBTQ community for a 2021 decree from the Vatican’s doctrine office that the church cannot bless same-sex unions “because God cannot bless sin.”

The Vatican in 2008 declined to sign onto a United Nation declaration that called for the decriminalization of homosexuality, complaining the text went beyond the original scope and also included language about “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” it found problematic. In a statement at the time, the Vatican urged countries to avoid “unjust discrimination” against gays and end penalties against them.

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I don't like this Pope, I've never liked him. He loves making politically correct statements. He's not straightforward in his ways. The same Pope who angrily tapped a woman who held him joyously.

The Bible is clear about Sodomy. Any contrary opinion doesn't change anything. God is God eternally.

He said being gay is not a crime but a sin.

It's a sin to Marry same sex but not a crime in the society....

Which is higher, sin against God or crime in the society?

God who determines those who go to hell or heaven isn't revered by this pope.

Wokism in Catholic church.

If you didn't read through the article

Please don't comment

In summary
He said being a gay in the society is not a crime but the Catholic church cannot bless same sex marriage because it's a sin

But who are we to Judge, he who created heaven and earth said he who is without sin should cast the first stone but he didn't the woman but prayed for her soul and asked her to sin no more

Live as a human being and wish the best for your neighbours. Religion is a scam.

This man don f**k his mates and male junior tire. He no dey read the Bible? ,

Arkmanbuddy:
I don't like this Pope, I've never liked him. He loves making politically correct statements. He's not straightforward in his ways. The same Pope who angrily tapped a woman who held him joyously.

The Bible is clear about Sodomy. Any contrary opinion doesn't change anything. God is God eternally.

God also said in scripture that the only people He polices is concerned about is His Israel---- not to be confused with the current country. So what has all this to do with Him and His mention?

This thing is easy to understand.

Homosexuality is not a crime in the same sense that fornication and masturbation are not crimes even though they are sin.

No one is going to prosecute you for touching yourself, that would be stupid.

Sins like that cannot be compared to murder and theft where you are violating another person's right.

It's best to just leave it between the man and God.