(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.
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