Sunday, July 9, 2000, Pope John Paul celebrated the Jubilee for Prisoners at “Regina Caeli” Prison in Rome…

He then said, “I feel obliged, now, to mention the well-known demonstrations held in Rome in the past few days.”

Rome had just hosted its first ever Gay Pride event that was attended by tens of thousands of activists.

“In the name of the Church of Rome,” said the Holy Father, “I can only express my deep sadness at the affront to the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 and the offence to the Christian values of a city that is so dear to the hearts of Catholics throughout the world. The Church cannot be silent about the truth, because she would fail in her fidelity to God the Creator and would not help to distinguish good from evil.

“In this regard, I wish merely to read what is said in the Catechism of the Catholic Church which, after noting that homosexual acts are contrary to the natural law, then states: ‘The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided’.

“These persons are called to fulfil God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition” (CCC, n. 2358). May the heavenly Mother assist us with her protection.”

Read Joan Lewis’ whole article here.

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