Those issues included “parents who see different sexual orientations in their children and how to handle this, how to accompany their children, and not hide behind an attitude of condemnation,” Francis said.
The pope advised parents not to see sexual orientation in their children and instead accompany them in their journey.
He has previously said that gays have a right to be accepted by their families as children and siblings.
“Parents who see different sexual orientations in their children and how to handle this, how to accompany their children and not hide behind an attitude of condemnation. Never condemn your children,” said the Pope.
He was speaking at his weekly general audience on Wednesday, January 26.
The Pope has also previously showed his support for the gay community when he drummed up support for civil union law for same-sex couple to be legalized sometime in 2020.
He further termed people from the LGBTQ community as children of God who have the right to be in a family.
“You can’t kick someone out of a family, nor make their life miserable for this. What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered,” the Pope said.
“Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God.”
In December last year, Kenya’s Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha directed that gay students be banned from boarding schools.
The Education CS said homosexual students ought to be restricted to day schools close to their homes.
“Right now, there are contemporary cases of children who are homosexual and lesbians, they must go to day schools close to their homes. Your responsibility should be for the greater majority and not a few individuals. Do not allow yourself to be intimidated by children,” said CS Magoha.
His remarks sparked a lot of comments with a section of Kenyans online criticizing the CS’s outlandish views.
“There are no gay learners in schools just learners. Disturbing remarks from Magoha,” said Eli Tele
“Can we not discriminate people because of their sexual orientation,” Garnier West stated.
“CS Magoha is a bigot and a Neanderthal. To bar gay children from boarding schools is unconstitutional, discriminatory, and inhuman. Being gay is as natural and African as being asexual, heterosexual, pan sexual, and bisexual. We must love ALL our kids no matter their sexualities,” said Prof. Makau Mutua.
