Pope Francis' Affirmation that Homosexuality" is not a crime" and may not be a sin depending on circumstances is a step forward for the Church

 Pope Francis ' statement on Jan. 24  in which he said that homosexuality "is not a crime," and should never be criminalized is important. In a note  on Jan. 27th,  Francis clarified that even this Church teaching is subject to circumstances that might eliminate the sin altogether. His interpretation of this teaching will come as good news to Catholics who were raised with the rigid doctrine that every sexual act outside marriage is a serious sin. 

In order to live the fullness of love taught by Jesus, the Catholic Church must treat all people equally regardless of sex, gender identity or gender expression. 

Bridget Mary Meehan

Dignity Speaks Out:

Applaud Pope Francis Saying Being Gay “is Not a Crime"   DignityUSA is celebrating Pope Francis’ statement that “being homosexual isn’t a crime” in an interview with the Associated Press. DignityUSA says this welcome change in the Vatican’s position “could vastly improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ people around the world.” Read DignityUSA's Full Statement Check out the other media coverage including quotes from the DignityUSA statement and DignityUSA members: Pope Francis: Criminalization laws are ‘unjust’ in the Los Angeles Blade Pope Francis says being gay "is not a crime" and the Catholic community respondsat GLAAD Pope Francis Condemns Laws Criminalizing Same-Sex Relationships at MetroWeekly Thanks to all for speaking out.

LGBTQIA+ Catholic Group Applauds Pope Francis Saying Being Gay “is Not a Crime,” Says Statement Could Improve Global Condition of Queer People

January 25, 2023.  The world’s oldest Catholic group advocating for LGBTQIA+ equality is celebrating Pope Francis’ statement that “being homosexual isn’t a crime” in an interview with the Associated Press. DignityUSA says this welcome change in the Vatican’s position “could vastly improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ people around the world.”

“Since the Vatican led the opposition to a 2010 United Nations proposal to decriminalize homosexuality DignityUSA has repeatedly challenged our church leaders to reverse this stance,” said Marianne Duddy-Burke, DignityUSA’s Executive Director. “We have led nationwide witnesses at cathedrals across the U.S. for this purpose, held a rally at the United Nations, and called on Pope Francis to make a statement like this when he visited Africa in 2015. I served as an Advisor to the State Department on faith and LGBTQ+ issues during the Obama administration, and urged both Secretary of State Kerry and President Obama to make this their top request when they visited with Pope Francis. 

Duddy-Burke noted that the Vatican’s stance on homosexuality has world-wide impact. “World leaders and legislators in many, many countries pay attention to what Catholic officials say. The Vatican’s support of criminalizing homosexuality has made life very dangerous for countless gay people in countries on nearly every continent. Shifting the stance and pushing for an end to making Queer identity illegal will make life safer for many people around the world,” she said.

Duddy-Burke said that DignityUSA stands ready to work with Vatican officials on the implications of this new position. “It is critical that the church’s bishops immediately end any support they have given to laws that make being gay or same-sex relationships illegal. We also call on Catholics in our own country and around the world to support equality and non-violence for their LGBTQIA+ neighbors.”