Pope Francis writing a letter to Jesuit Father James Martin explained his recent comments in an interview with AP that “being gay is not a crime” and said he was referring to Catholic doctrine, which teaches that any sexual act outside of the marriage is a sin.
From Vatican News
“I was simply referring to Catholic morality, which says that any sexual activity outside of marriage is a sin.”
Pope Francis wrote these words in response to a letter from Father James Martin, SJ, who carries out his apostolate in the LGBTQ community in the United States.
The American Jesuit had written to the Holy Father following his recent interview with the Associated Press.
The Pope’s handwritten response in Spanish was published on Father Martin’s website, along with a translation into English.
Associated Press interviews Pope Francis: The conversation covered topics such as the death of Benedict XVI. to the dignified treatment of homosexuals; from dialogue with China to …
clarification
The context of the interview alone made it clear that the Pope had spoken of homosexuality, i.e. of “homosexual acts” and not of homosexuality per se.
In his letter, Pope Francis reiterated that his position is that of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, as he said in his first interview with reporters on a flight back from Brazil in 2013 (“If a person is gay and seeks and has God good will, who am I to judge?”).
In response to Fr. Martin, the Pope emphasized that, in relation to sin, “one must also take into account the circumstances that can reduce or eliminate guilt”.
“I should have said, ‘This is a sin, like any sexual act outside of marriage,'” the pope added. “This is meant to speak of the ‘matter’ of sin, but we know well that Catholic morality not only considers the matter, but also values liberty and purpose; and this for every kind of sin.”
prayers
Pope Francis reiterated in his letter that homosexuality is not a crime.
“I would say to anyone who wants to criminalize homosexuality that they are wrong,” he wrote. “In a television interview where we spoke with natural and normal language, it is understandable that there are not such precise definitions.”
There are over 50 countries that offer homosexuals the option of legal sentencing, and some of these nations even use the death penalty.
The Pope concluded his letter with an assurance from Fr. Martin that he is praying for him and his work with the LGBTQ community.
“Please do the same for me,” he said.