Pope Francis in a conversation with a victim of clerical sexual abuse stated that his sexuality “does not matter,” and that “God made you like that and loves you like this.” The Bible clearly states that homosexuality is a sin; however, the Pope appears to be displaying his acceptance of homosexuality in his latest rebuke of Scripture.
While the Pope is correct that God does love all people, the Bible also clearly indicates that a foundational change must take place within all people who are called to the faith. Scripture calls homosexuality a sin but states that it can be forgiven just as other sins can be forgiven.
In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Paul describes that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God, and further states that such were some of you, but a change has taken place because you have been washed and turned towards the truth, through repentance.
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
The verse above speaks specifically to effeminate men, in addition to other forms of sin. For the Pope to comment that no change is needed for a man proclaiming to be a homosexual is the latest remark by the Pope that indicates his acceptance of homosexuality.
Juan Carlos Cruz is a victim of clergy sexual abuse and spoke privately with the pontiff last week about the happenings that he suffered at the hands of a Chilean priest.
During the conversation, the Pope reportedly said; “Juan Carlos, that you are gay does not matter. God made you like that and loves you like this, and I don’t care. The Pope loves you like this. You have to be happy with who you are.”
The topic of Mr. Cruz’s sexuality arose during their conversation because some of Chile’s bishops had attempted to label him as a pervert who was lying about the abuse. During a phone conversation with El Pais Mr. Cruz was asked if he spoke about his sexuality to which Mr. Cruz responded (the following has been translated);
“Yes, we speak. He had been told practically that I was a wicked person. There I explained that I am not the reincarnation of San Luis Gonzaga but I am not a bad person, I try not to hurt anyone. He told me “Juan Carlos, that you are gay does not matter. God made you like that and he loves you like that and I do not care. The Pope wants you like that, you have to be happy with who you are.”
Again for the Pope to reportedly deny the reality of sin regarding homosexuality is yet another sign that the Catholic Church is disregarding Scripture for the whims of culture. Regardless of the circumstance surrounding the conversation, this is not the first time that the Pope has suggested his acceptance of homosexuality, in an interview in 2013 the Pope told journalists;
“If someone is gay and is looking for the Lord, who am I to judge him? You should not discriminate against or marginalize these people.”