French bishop denies promoting banned gay conversion therapies

The anti-discrimination non-profit SOS Homophobie has accused the bishop of Bayonne-Lescar-Oloron, in southwestern France, of "legitimising" the implementation of banned conversion therapies – a charge he denies. This comes on the heels of a decision by the Vatican to authorise blessings for homosexual couples.

Bishop of Bayonne, Marc Aillet, outside Notre Dame Cathedral in Bayonne, southwestern France. AFP - IROZ GAIZKA

SOS homophobie says it is angry over a note, published on the Bayonne-Lescar-Oloron diocese website on 29 December, written by bishop Marc Aillet.

The Catholic leader invited the priests of the diocese to give their blessing to homosexual couples if requested, but with certain conditions.

"If people ask, give them a blessing provided that it is to each person individually – calling them to conversion and inviting them to ask for the help of grace that the Lord grants to all those who ask him to conform their lives to the Will of God," the message reads.

SOS homophobie says these conditions are discriminatory for homosexual couples and akin to "legitimising" conversion therapies.

Sometimes called sexual reorientation therapies, conversion refers to a set of pseudo-scientific treatments with the controversial goal of attempting to change one's sexual orientation.

This practice is prohibited in France.

• Gay conversion therapy victims push France towards banning 'medieval' practice

Denial of existence

"It’s a form of injunction to change one’s sexual orientation as if it were a choice," Véronique Godet, co-president of SOS homophobie told FranceInfo on Monday.

According to her, bishop Aillet's directions concerning homosexual people were "both hurtful and reductive".

She is particularly critical of the fact that "each person should be received "individually," rather than as a couple.

Separating the couple is a "denial of its existence", Godet says, adding it was designed to "weaken" either partner.

The bishop's office told FranceInfo that Aillet’s note had been misinterpreted.

"It is not a question of conversion therapy, but of a reference to the Gospel which invites all believers to change direction to take the right path," Aillet's office said.

In a historic move, the Vatican announced on 18 December that it now authorises the blessing of "unmarried, divorced and homosexual couples".