The Vatican's recent decision tostart blessing gay couples is about blessing individual peopleand not LGBT groups, Pope Francis said Saturday amid a backlashagainst 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 withthe Roman clergy, according to sources present. "If the LGBTassociation 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 ascouples or as people'.
And then he gave an example: 'When we bless an entrepreneur, wedo not ask if he has stolen'.
Church doctrine holds that homosexuality is a disorder and onlychaste gays can received sacraments.
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