Vatican Opposes Criminalisation Of Homosexuality, Top Cardinal Says1 min read
Cardinal S.E. Mons. Victor Manuel Fernandez looks on after being elevated to the rank of cardinal at the Vatican, September 30, 2023. REUTERS/Yara Nardi/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
The Vatican opposes the criminalisation of homosexuality as practiced by a number of countries with the support of Catholic groups, the head of the Vatican’s doctrine office said on Monday.
Presenting a publication which reaffirmed the Vatican’s opposition to sex changes, gender theory and surrogate parenthood, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez called laws punishing homosexuality “a big problem” and said: “of course we are not in favour of criminalisation.”
Fernandez, a liberal theologian whom Pope Francis appointed as head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith less than a year ago, told reporters it was “painful” to see some Catholics support anti-homosexuality laws.
In February 2023, returning from a trip to Africa where same-sex relationships are often taboo, Francis said laws criminalising LGBT people were a sin and an injustice, because God loves and accompanies people with same-sex attraction.
“The criminalisation of homosexuality is a problem that cannot be ignored,” the pope said, citing unnamed statistics according to which 50 countries criminalise LGBT people “in one way or another” and about 10 others have laws including the death penalty.
Under Francis, the Catholic Church has become more welcoming towards LGBT people. In December, Cardinal Fernandez’s office issued a landmark document allowing the blessing of same-sex couples, triggering substantial conservative backlash.
