Homosexuality can be cured according to the Bishop of Sion, who was interviewed this week by the Swiss newspaper La Nouvelliste in Sion, a town in Valais, one of the main Swiss winter resort regions of Switzerland.

The Catholic Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey said that being gay was a weakness of nature. And because someone is like that in the beginning does not mean they cannot be changed. “Psychological cures exist” and “homosexuality can be cured.” The Bishop recommended prayer as a cure. “It has already repeatedly cured some sick” he said.

Lovey believes however, that being gay is not incompatible with being Catholic and welcomes gay people into the Catholic Church.

Barbara Lanthemann, Secretary General of the Swiss Lesbians Association said that the views of the Bishop were ignorant and condescending. She made a statement to the media that the Association was shocked and revolted by the comments.

The Pink Cross Association is demanding a public apology from the Bishop.

One Nouvelliste reader made the comment on the newspaper’s website that we should hold onto the hope that the Bishop can be cured.

It seems unlikely that many gay people will feel welcomed to the Catholic Church by the Bishop’s comments. In addition, it casts a shadow over the upcoming Sion gay pride festival scheduled for 13 June 2015.

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