On the way back from South Sudan, Pope Francis, Rt. Rev. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Church Moderator of Scotland Rt. Rev. Iain Greenshields gave an interview. Francis mentioned how the death of Benedict XVI was manipulated by party members rather than Church members, and how homosexuals are criminalised nowadays.
The Pope was giving as first an answer to the questions. In the very beginning he noted the recorded abuse by the powerful since Africa and especially South Sudan and Congo have natural riches. He was struck by the East’s part of Congo, where there is a war and exploitation, and met with war victims. He came to the conclusion that the country has many possibilities, but it is not supported if not blocked. Despite the great potential of intelligence of the youth, for which he called to make room.
Next Francis, being asked about the almost one year war in Ukraine, replies that he is open to meeting the president of Ukraine and the president of Russia. He even expressed their desire to go to Moscow to talk to Putin, but the Russian embassy said no. He points out that this war is not the only one going on in the world. Yemen and Myanmar are two places where war is very common. Self-harm and self-destruction are two important things to talk about when talking about the world. Women or lonely mothers will keep society going because of their strength, while men will go to war.
About the criminalisation of homosexuality Francis clarifies that people of homosexual tendencies are children of God and have the right to stay at home without being kicked out of the house.
“God loves them. God accompanies them. It is true that some people are in this state [of persecution – editorial note] because of various unwanted situations” (…) “The Catechism of the Catholic Church it says a phrase that they should not be marginalised”
said the Pope
The criminalization of homosexuality is a problem and still affects many countries, with some potentially leading to the death penalty or other forms of punishment. However, it is not fair to condemn a person for this purpose, because it is a sin and an injustice.
In response to the Pope’s answer, rev. Justin Welby said:
“Just a little recently, in the Church of England including a good deal of debate in parliament and all kinds of things I want to say, I wish I had spoken eloquently and clearly as the Pope. I entirely agree with every word. (…) He said it beautifully and accurately.”
Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, adds:
“There is nowhere in the four Gospels when I see anything other than Jesus expressing: Love to whoever he meets.That’s the only expression that we can possibly give to any human being in any circumstances.”
In reference to the Pope’s Benedict XVI death and the feelings that he carries Pope Francis tells:
“On this point I would like to say that i was able to talk about everything with Pope Benedict and change opinions and he was always at my side supporting me and if he had any difficulties he would tell me and we would talk. There were no problems.
Once i spoke about the marriage of homosexual people. That marriage is a sacrament and we cannot make a sacrament… However there is a possibility of securing the goods through, considering the civil law. That started in France that, (…) the law says that any person can make a civil union, not necessarily a couple. For instance, three old retired ladies make a civil union to gain many things.Another time a person who thinks he is a great theologian, a friend of Pope Benedict, went to him and he made a complaint against me. Benedict was not frightened. He called four first-rate theological cardinals asking them to explain Him the issue. And they explained it. And that was the end of the story. And an anecdote to see how Benedict moved when there was a complaint. Some Chinese stories are told.”
Then he concluded explaining that Pope Benedict’s death has been instrumentalized for people who want to carry the water to their own mill and those who one way or another instrumentalise. It is important to remember that those who have no ethics are party people, not church people, and that Pope Benedict was not bitter. Pope Francis at any time consulted him for some decisions, because it was essential for him if Benedict agreed.
The interview ended with a talk about the proposals of the Pope for the next travels. At this point, it was recalled the globalisation of indifference meaning that people often forget to look at their compatriots and fellow citizens.Which means not to think about the world’s greatest fortunes. For this reason Pope Francis is planning to visit the smaller countries of Europe for the first time, while also going to Strasbourg for a little bit of knowledge about the hidden Europe. He targets Albania which was the country that suffered the most cruel dictatorship in the history of Europe. The choice is to try not to fall into the globalisation of indifference and to appreciate the small, essential elements of life.