(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 13 - The Vatican's recent decision to
start blessing gay couples is about blessing individual people
and not LGBT groups, Pope Francis said Saturday amid a backlash
against the move by conservatives and African bishops.
The measure on the blessings of gay couples concerns "people,
not organisations", Francis said at a closed-door meeting with
the Roman clergy, according to sources present. "If the LGBT
association comes, no, the people always".
He then explained why the measure will not be adopted in Africa:
'The culture does not accept it'.
But he added: 'We bless people, not sin', 'perhaps they come as
couples or as people'.
And then he gave an example: 'When we bless an entrepreneur, we
do not ask if he has stolen'.
Church doctrine holds that homosexuality is a disorder and only
chaste gays can received sacraments. (ANSA).
Blessing gay people not LGBT groups says pope
We don't ask businessman if stolen before blessing says Francis