Homosexuality is a defect, declares Pope’s new cardinal

The Pope’s newly chosen Spanish cardinal, Fernando Sebastian Aguilar, 84, has described homosexuality as a “defect” that can be corrected with treatment, sparking condemnation from gay rights groups.

“A lot of people complain and don’t tolerate it but with all respect I say that homosexuality is a defective way of manifesting sexuality, because that has a structure and a purpose, which is procreation,” Sebastian told the Malaga newspaper, Sur.

The interview was published a week after the Spaniard was named as one of 19 new cardinals chosen by the Pope, to be officially appointed on Feb 22.