France may prosecute priest who described homosexuality as 'weakness'

A French authorities official has referred to as for the prosecution of a Roman Catholic priest over a video he posted on social media describing gay tendencies as a “weak point” that should be fought like another sin.

Father Matthieu Raffray, 45, posted a video on March 15 to his greater than 60,000 followers on Instagram, urging them to withstand their sinful weaknesses, together with homosexuality amongst them.

“All of us have weaknesses: those that are grasping, those that are indignant, those that have gay tendencies!” Raffray mentioned within the incriminating video, in keeping with French Catholic media outlet Famille Chrétienne.

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Raffray's feedback drew the ire of Aurore Bergé, the 37-year-old politician who has served as France's minister for gender equality, variety and equal alternatives since January.

Bergé revealed a declaration on March 20, stating that Raffray's feedback about homosexuality had been “unacceptable” and that he could be reported to the Inter-Ministerial Delegation to Fight Racism, Anti-Semitism and Anti-LGBT Hatred (DILCRAH) to be prosecuted beneath Article 40 of the French Felony Code.

“I cannot let something go within the face of hate, no matter it might be,” Bergé mentioned in X's put up.

DILCRAH – a delegation that works with numerous authorities ministries to design, coordinate and handle French authorities coverage to fight racism, anti-Semitism and anti-LGBT hate crimes – he replied to Bergé's tweet about 20 minutes later by noting that that they had forwarded Raffray's feedback to the prosecutor at her request.

“So-called 'conversion remedy' unlawful from 2022,” delegation he tweeted. “Speaking about homosexuality as a weak point is shameful.”

On the identical day, Raffray he tweeted that his X account had surpassed 20,000 followers and thanked “hysterics of all stripes who attempt to destabilize me with grotesque controversies: publicity secured.”

“Pals or foes: I’m praying for you,” he wrote.

I simply observed that this account simply handed 20,000 followers!

Thanks all to your help.

Thanks additionally to the hysterics of all stripes who attempt to destabilize me with grotesque controversies: assured publicity?????

Pals or foes: I’m praying for you. pic.twitter.com/JH2c1GlJbj

— abbot Matthieu Raffray ?????????? (@AbbeRaffray) March 20, 2024

Within the video, the priest reminded his listeners that everybody has the required non secular weapons to combat such weaknesses, however that Devil tempts them to consider that the battle is “too onerous” and quit.

Raffray, who has a big following and attain amongst younger French folks on social media, remained unapologetic about his place and didn’t take away the video regardless of ruffling the feathers of France's variety minister.

The priest informed Famille Chrétienne that his video was about “temptation generally” and that his intention was to not spotlight homosexuality, however quite “to make it clear that we’re not obliged to succumb to all our temptations, to all our wishes. “

“I cite homosexuality amongst different issues,” he mentioned. “Gay acts are a sin, however I believe folks don't know what a sin is anymore. To sentence a sin is to not condemn the one that commits the sin! You could possibly have accused me if I mentioned one thing awkward or hurtful, however I didn't.” case right here.”

“Not solely am I not homophobic, however as a priest I’m cautious in regards to the vocabulary I take advantage of on this matter as a result of I do know that this can be a delicate topic and that it will possibly simply harm folks,” he mentioned.

Raffrey believes that the French authorities is attacking the Catholic Church and its teachings by means of him.

“What is just not at stake is just not me, however the freedom to be a Christian in the present day,” he mentioned. “I hope that each one believers will notice that Christian morality and the entire church are beneath assault.”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church condemns gay tendencies as “objectively disordered” and that they characterize “judgment” for these Catholics who expertise them. The Catechism additionally teaches that those that battle with such emotions “should be acquired with respect, compassion and sensitivity.

A ban on conversion remedy adopted in France in 2022 prohibits “repeated practices, conduct or feedback geared toward modifying or suppressing an individual's sexual orientation” and will realistically be used to prosecute figures like Raffray, Famille Chrétienne famous.

In different elements of Europe, governments have emerged that suppress speech essential of homosexuality.

In Finland, Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Diocese have been dropped at courtroom a number of instances in recent times on expenses of “hate speech” for publishing anti-homosexuality materials.

In Malta, Matthew Grech confronted prison prosecution final 12 months as a part of a ban on conversion remedy for giving his Christian testimony on leaving the gay way of life on a radio present.

Alliance for Defending Freedom CEO Kristen Wagoner informed The Christian Publish in December that her group sees a “world pattern towards censorship” when speaking about proposed anti-hate speech laws in Eire that might cowl sexual orientation.

“And it's not simply contempt without cost speech; it's lively focusing on by the federal government to silence speech,” she mentioned, including that the U.S. is just not proof against such tendencies regardless of the U.S. Structure.