Prominent Jesuit magazine America has published an editorial condemning the recent wave of anti-gay laws in African countries in its latest issue, which features a cover story on LGBT individuals and the Catholic Church. "Tragically, we live in a world where people are not only judged harshly for their sexual orientation but are also targeted and punished for it," the editorial reads, citing laws in Uganda and Nigeria that mandate 10 years or more in prison for LGBT men and women and their supporters.

"It is not inconsistent," the editorial continues, "to support traditional marriage and to oppose these measures, which are unjustifiable assaults on the human rights and inherent dignity of gay and lesbian people... Christian concern for preserving the traditional institution of marriage cannot justify these excessive and punitive measures, which extend far beyond simply codifying a definition of marriage." Citing the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which states that "every sign of unjust discrimination" toward LGBT men and women "should be avoided," the magazine urges church leaders to strongly advocate for the decriminalization of homosexuality.

Two things to keep in mind: First, America has been censured by the Vatican in the past for its content, and in 2005 its editor-in-chief was forced to resign on the orders of then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. On the other hand, the magazine landed the first interview with Pope Francis (a Jesuit himself) after he became the leader of the Catholic Church.