To begin with, Section 377 held, “Whosoever has carnal intercourse voluntarily against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall be liable to fine.” It was thus considered a crime in the eyes of law. Now the court says that homosexual relations between two consenting adults should not amount to a crime.

It needs to be made clear for the benefit of both the general public as well as the gay community that the Christian community does not (repeat it does not) treat people with homosexual tendencies as criminals. Nor does it be believe that they can be regarded on par with criminals. Therefore, it has no serious objection to the repealing of Section 377, which incidentally is what the Delhi high court seems to have ruled today in its historic judgment. In other words, it does not object to decriminalising homosexuality, though it fears that doing so might increase cases of HIV/ AIDS.

The Vatican’s stand on this is quite clear: “They [homosexuals] must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided” (From the Catechism, No. 2358). But one must hasten to add and this is what all religious leaders, not just of minorities, should distinguish between too — that decriminalising is not the same as: a) granting legal benefits; and b) accepting it as normal or natural.

... contd.