Icelandic Police Review Priest’s Comments on Homosexuality
On March 5, police announced it examines the remarks and assess whether there is reason to begin an investigation.
Like most priests in nominally Lutheran Iceland, Rev Rolland is a missionary. He has lived in Iceland for decades and has even changed his first name to make it more Icelandic — "no one here could say 'Jacques'". The collapsed Protestantism has arguably been replaced by the state religion of "LGBT+ advocacy".
In the interview, Rev. Rolland responded affirmatively when asked if the Church hopes homosexuals will change over time, adding that it provides them with support: “That is what is very much lacking in modern society. Someone who wants to leave such a lifestyle receives no assistance.”
Homosexuals who seek help from a priest of the Catholic Church “cannot find” psychologists or social workers to help them.
Rev. Rolland recalls people who have sought out the Catholic Church in Iceland specifically in order to “stop” being homosexual.
“Sexual orientation is only one factor among many that concern an individual’s tendencies towards some lifestyle that is not good for the individual and not good for society,” said Rev Rolland.
He added that "conversion" as the change of heart is a key word in the daily life of Catholics.
Pressed on conversion therapies, he said: “There are no organized therapies, just people talking together…People talk to a priest and seek advice. Then there are people who want support in their spiritual life. They come to us, come to church, come to prayer services, to Mass. It is primarily in this area that we can help.”
Asked whether he feels compelled to follow the law on these matters, Rev Rolland said: “Yes, as long as the laws align with God’s laws, then it’s fine. It has been known in law from the very beginning that when the laws of the land and God’s laws conflict, God’s laws apply.”
Already in 2019, Rev Rolland told a journalist, “If two women came to us and wanted to marry, then I’d say, ‘Unfortunately, that won’t work for us.’ If they wanted to press charges, I’d say, ‘Do it.’ If I go to prison, then I go to prison, but it won’t change my position.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, an Icelandic Catholics, apologized if the Church “is considering breaking the law”: “I appeal to my Church: Don’t get involved in something like this, don’t go against the law, and don’t go against diversity.”
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