(see related story on Bagnasco)
Pope Francis said in an
interview published in France's La Croix on Tuesday that
Catholics should have the right to conscientious objection, as
he talked about issues like "euthanasia and marriage between
people of the same sex".
"Once a law has been voted, the State must respect
consciences", the pontiff said.
"In each juridical structure, conscientious objection must
be present because it is a human right, also for a government
official", noted the pontiff, adding that, "the State must
respect criticism".
"This is true secularism", he concluded.
The Italian parliament has just approved a law recognising
civil unions, including gay ones.
In the interview, the pontiff also spoke about
evangelization, noting that it does not necessarily require
priests because "baptism gives the strength to evangelize",
citing the "historic example of Korea".
Korea, he said when asked about the crisis in vocations in
France, "was evangelized by missionaries who came from China and
then left, then, over two centuries, Korea was evangelized by
laymen".
Talking about Europe, the pontiff also said that "it is
necessary to talk about roots using the plural, because it has
many", warning against triumphalism or vindictiveness, as
occurred with colonialism.
"Europe certainly has Christian roots and Christianity has
the duty to water them, but in a spirit of service, like with
the washing of the feet," he said.
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