Father Jakob Rolland could face imprisonment in Iceland for defending Catholic doctrine regarding homosexuality and for providing support to individuals with the inclination who seek spiritual guidance within the Church.<\/p>\n
The French-born priest, chancellor of the Diocese of Reykjav\u00edk, strongly maintained that his duty is to defend the truth and \u201cfight for the Lord.\u201d In an interview with ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, he said his aim is to awaken citizens to what he characterizes as an \u201cLGBT dictatorship\u201d against which many are afraid to raise their voices.<\/p>\n
In early March, Rolland was invited to a radio program where the host asked him about the requirements necessary to receive Jesus in the Holy Sacrament. Specifically, she wanted to know whether homosexual individuals could receive Communion. The priest simply explained the Catholic Church\u2019s doctrine on the matter.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf a person has a tendency or inclination toward homosexuality, that\u2019s not a sin. It becomes a sin when such an inclination is lived out in a sinful manner. First, one must undergo conversion, go to confession, and truly consider the possibility of changing one\u2019s life and living in chastity in order to receive Communion,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Rolland also noted that many people with same-sex attraction turn to the Church seeking help and that they \u201care in the process of changing their lives.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, we are there to help people,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
In response to questions from the host, the priest clarified that the Church does not speak of \u201cconversion therapies\u201d but rather of spiritual accompaniment. It was at that point that the controversy erupted.<\/p>\n
Since 2023, Iceland\u2019s penal code has stipulated that anyone who attempts to change or suppress a person\u2019s sexual orientation may face prison sentences of up to three years.<\/p>\n
Following the broadcast of the interview, LGBT groups across the country launched a vigorous campaign demanding that the priest be sanctioned. The case has garnered media attention and was even brought up for parliamentary debate.<\/p>\n
The Samt\u00f6kin \u201978 National Queer Organization of Iceland is leading the campaign against Rolland. According to its arguments, even if the measures the priest alluded to do not constitute \u201cconversion therapy,\u201d the law would also prohibit providing support or assistance to homosexual individuals seeking spiritual guidance within the Church. <\/p>\n
Socialist member of Parliament Sigmundur R\u00fanarsson denounced the priest\u2019s remarks before Parliament, emphasizing that Icelandic society \u201chas nothing to do with the Catholic Church.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Ministry of Justice came to the priest\u2019s defense, arguing that \u201cnever in Iceland\u2019s history has an accusation been leveled against an individual in Parliament, an institution whose mandate is to enact laws.\u201d<\/p>\n
The priest maintains that from a legal standpoint, \u201cthere are no grounds for arrest.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Iceland, between 8% and 10% of the population identifies as Catholic. \u201cMost of the reactions to my statements have been positive; there are even people who have written to me because they wish to draw closer to the Church,\u201d noted the priest, 70, who maintains that he does not fear a potential prison sentence for his words: \u201cI must fight for the Lord,\u201d he emphasized.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we don\u2019t speak up, no one does. Everyone is afraid to do so even if they disagree due to the laws and prevailing mindset here in Iceland; and because the country is so isolated, the outside world remains unaware of what is happening,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
The priest also lamented that the Church no longer has a place in schools to teach catechism, whereas LGBT ideology, he pointed out, is being introduced into classrooms at ages as young as 5.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe we have a duty to speak the truth and to protect children. That\u2019s the great danger in Iceland: People are sleeping amidst a dictatorship. They don\u2019t dare to speak out,\u201d he lamented.<\/p>\n
Rolland lamented that the prevailing mentality in the country \u201cis destroying our youth,\u201d though he remains hopeful seeing that every year, more young people turn to the Church and wish to receive baptism.<\/p>\n
The priest said that his faith and the support he has received from Catholics and other religious groups in the country keeps him going, as well as his love for the people of Iceland, his adopted homeland for over four decades.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to bring the Church and the message of Christ to them, so that they may draw closer to the Lord. It\u2019s not easy, because this is a highly secularized country, but I see that it is yielding results,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought it was necessary to speak the truth. People are being pushed toward a wrongful lifestyle, and we must help them wake up. I have always been this way since childhood. I have fought for the faith, so I see no reason to stop now,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n