A BBC World Service video report, posted on June 4, highlighting two young Brazilian women who left religious formation and later entered a same-sex civil union, has provoked criticism from Catholics worldwide, with many rejecting the broadcaster’s assertion that the pair “remain deeply Catholic”.

The BBC’s social media post sharing the video also contained a link to more information about a “priest leading the way for LGBT rights in Poland”, in an instance of religious reportage criticised for a lack of neutrality.

Francília Costa and Luiza Silvério met as 19-year-old novices in a Brazilian convent.

According to the BBC feature, they initially disliked each other but grew close through their shared desire to serve God.

Both eventually left religious life – Francília citing panic attacks linked to the Covid pandemic, Luiza citing other mental health reasons – before becoming roommates and then entering a same-sex relationship.

They now present themselves as a married couple and connect online with other Catholics exploring questions of sexuality.

The short video, posted on June 4, opens with the line: “They almost became nuns, now they’re married.”

It includes one of the women stating: “If there is a Cupid in the world, ours was God... If one day I were to start a family, God will show me the model of that family he wants me to build.”

The BBC describes them as remaining “deeply Catholic”.

The report has triggered indignation among Catholics who argue that entering a same-sex union directly contradicts Church teaching on marriage and human sexuality.

Catholic doctrine, reaffirmed consistently by the Magisterium, holds that marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman, and that sexual activity outside that context is gravely sinful.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church addresses these matters in sections 2357-2359 and 1601-1666.

Prominent reactions, as reported by LifeSiteNews, have come from across the Catholic world.

The English actor Matthew Marsden, a practising Catholic known for roles in Black Hawk Down and Rambo, stated: “They are not Catholic if they do not follow the teachings of the Church. Same-sex marriage is forbidden in the Catholic Church.”

He added that the report exemplified why trust in the BBC had eroded.

Other voices echoed this rejection.

One widely shared comment noted that “they remain deeply Catholic” is incompatible with openly rejecting the Church’s teaching on marriage and the family.

Several users described the portrayal as misleading, with one stating: “It’s like dressing up a wolf in a nightgown and calling it ‘Grandma.’”

The women themselves have spoken publicly about their journey, maintaining that they entered the convent with genuine vocational intent and that their relationship developed later.

They now position themselves as influencers for Catholics navigating questions of faith and sexuality.

The BBC piece forms part of broader coverage exploring faith and identity.

Catholic teaching on the indissolubility and complementary nature of marriage remains unchanged under Pope Leo XIV, consistent with the tradition of the Church from Scripture through the Magisterium.

The Code of Canon Law and multiple documents from the Congregation, now Dicastery, for the Doctrine of the Faith make clear that same-sex unions cannot be recognised as marriage.

The episode has reignited debate over media portrayals of Catholicism that appear to present dissenting lifestyles as compatible with full communion in the Church.

Many traditional Catholics view such reporting as contributing to confusion among the faithful, particularly younger people discerning vocations or struggling with same-sex attraction.

The story continues to circulate widely on social media, with 365,000 views as of June 8.