New Spanish cardinal likens homosexuality to defect

The Pope's new Spanish cardinal has likened homosexuality to a physical "defect" that can be cured.

Fernando Sebastian likened homosexuality to his own high blood pressure in an interview with Spanish newspaper Diario Sur on Monday, labelling men who could not overcome the illness a "failure".

"Homosexuality is a defective manner of expressing sexuality, because [sex] has a structure and a purpose, which is procreation," he said.

"A homosexual who can't achieve this (procreation) is failing.

"Our bodies have many defects. I have high blood pressure."

The cardinal then added that he did not intend for his comments to be insulting but rather wanted to help people to "become normal with the right treatment".

The 85-year-old is set to take up his post in the Vatican as Spain's newest cardinal in February.

His comments appear to contradict those of Pope Francis, who was named Person of the Year by leading gay rights magazine The Advocate after telling reporters: "If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?"

In a move that may land him in hot water, Sebastian argued that the Pontiff's views were not so far from his own.

"It's one thing to be compassionate towards a homosexual person and another thing to morally justify the practice of that homosexuality," he said.

"You can tell a person what their weakness is but that doesn't justify [a decision] to respect them and help them. I think that's the Pope's position as with gay marriage and divorce."

Source: Independent
Author: Chloe Ross, Approving editor: Martin Zavan