In an interview on January 25, 2023, Pope Francis criticized laws criminalizing homosexuality stating,“it is not a crime to be homosexual”, a remarkable statement from a man in charge of one of the world’s most powerful political and religious institutions.
You might be asking yourself why the opinion of the Pope is of any concern to a Muslim organization? Well, in Africa, where MPV does much of our international work, laws that criminalize homosexuality are often advocated for and supported by the Catholic Bishops. And not far behind are the Muslim religious leaders, because when it comes to homosexuality and women’s rights, there really isn’t that much sunlight between the two orthodox interpretations of these religious traditions.
In the same interview, the Pope also said, “These bishops have to have a process of conversion,” adding that they should apply, “tenderness, please, as God has for each one of us”, the same framing MPV intentionally incorporates into all of its work, a framing that advocates for love and compassion for all.
As a human rights advocate in religious spaces I recognize how the more radical churches and religious interpretations differentiate themselves from an approach that prioritizes love and compassion, choosing instead to favor a more hardline position. For the Catholic Bishops across the African continent their next steps, I’m sure, will be very measured as they balance the Pope's calling with the intolerant habits and beliefs associated within the same tradition. How do you pivot from a doctrine of discrimination and hate to one of welcoming and love?
To the human rights activists, and especially advocates for the rights of LGBTQI+ people, I think this is an opportune time for us to engage with the Catholic church at all levels of society whether in the remote villages or with the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations Office.
On an unrelated note, but one that struck me as just as important, in a speech given during his visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Pope criticized those who exploit the rich natural resources of the country, exploitation which has for decades fueled conflicts, violence and simply awful, rampant child labor practices.
A reference specifically to Goma, where The Pope was meant to take a side trip, which was ultimately canceled for security reasons, made me think about the work #ImamsForShe does in the same region. Across the region, we work with imams and community leaders to address the brutal violence and sex trafficking that women are subjected to because of the spillover effects of both legal and illegal mining of rich minerals and "gangsters" flushed with cash because we need to power our cell phones, electric cars and more.
So every time you are enticed to buy yet another new cell phone, think twice. Do you really need one? Because to advocate for women’s rights and human rights means nothing if the next day, we simply turn around and support unsustainable, consumer practices that lead to these violations of human rights in the first place.
Onward and upward…
Ani Zonneveld
Founder & President
