PRESS STATEMENT - Recent homophobic statements on social media

                                  PRESS STATEMENT

BY DRACHMA LGBTI AND DRACHMA PARENTS GROUP

Thursday, 6 January 2022

For immediate release

 

Drachma notes the controversy recently raised by comments made by a Catholic ‘priest’ that went viral in recent hours. We are appalled by the demeaning comments full of hate that equate being gay or bisexual to ‘a disorder over and above schizophrenia and the effect of evil’, even insisting that it was ‘worse than demonic possession’. Such comments go against Christian charity and the fundamental true spirit of the Gospel and are morally wrong and unacceptable.

Drachma welcomes the strong stand taken by Archbishop Scicluna who reminded the faithful that such comments ‘were not words of love but stones thrown by a heart that has to learn to love more, as Jesus did’. By speaking out publicly against these comments, the archbishop and other courageous priests have taken up the moral responsibility to speak for social justice and to stand out for the weak and vulnerable.

Drachma hopes that this dreadful episode can remind our pastors that the only genuine true pastoral way is to take care of all the sheep. Let the Archbishop, and other leaders go one step further and ensure that such comments are not tolerated, and all steps are taken to unmask and stop the wolves who dress up as sheep, or worse still as shepherds.

We conclude by reminding each other that we are all mothers, fathers, daughters and sons, sisters and brothers, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, colour, religious convictions or whatever other difference God has gifted us with.