French priest prosecuted for citing Catholic teaching on homosexuality
Following the intervention of a government official, Father Matthieu Raffray was prosecuted for having referred to homosexuality as a sin, citing Catholic teaching on the matter. Despite the closure of the case by the public prosecutor, a new complaint has been filed.
In a video on "temptations" posted on social media, Father Matthieu Raffray called homosexuality a sin, adding that "all the sins and temptations that exist in humanity can be fought against". Although his remarks were merely an expression of Catholic teaching on the subject, Aurore Bergé, the Minister for Equality, has asked the government body DILCRAH to lodge a complaint with the public prosecutor regarding Father Raffray's remarks, which the Minister considers "intolerable". Ms Bergé invoked article 40 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure, which states that "all constituted authorities, public officials and civil servants who, in the course of their duties, become aware of a crime or an offence, shall immediately inform the public prosecutor (...)."
After examining Father Raffray's posts, the public prosecutor informed him that his "offence does not appear to be sufficiently characterized to justify criminal prosecution". The case was then archived in April of 2024.
Despite this decision, two LGBT organizations have announced that they have filed another complaint for public insult and public incitement to hatred for the same remarks. In their view, the use of the term "vices" constitutes a homophobic insult and the invitation to fight sin as an incitement to hatred of homosexuals. Once again, Father Raffray is being prosecuted for defending Catholic teaching on homosexuality.
Source: lejdd.fr, lesalonbeige.fr, stophomophobie.com
Image: X (Abbé Matthiew Raffray)