I'm starting a new thread here as it will contain a study based on the Church's teaching as outlined in the Catechism and the 1986 Letter to the Bishops signed by Cardinal Ratzinger. An unofficial translation of the latest ruling on homosexuals and the priesthood will be used to comment on the latest developments.
Anything which affects the private lives of people will inevitably cause strong feelings and reactions. I hope readers will take it as read that this is a study undertaken to learn what the Church teaches rather than to make private judgement, although I have made comments throughout. I approach this very sensitive issue from the standpoint of an orthodox Catholic, and hope that what follows will be read in that light.
________
In the modern world the doctrine of the Catholic Church has often become so undermined that it is not uncommon to find even priests who do not teach the faith, and bishops who cannot be relied upon to act. After 2000 years of unambiguous teaching on homosexuality, it has been necessary, in 2005, for the Vatican to issue a document laying down guidelines for situations when seminaries have become infiltrated by the gay culture. Terrible scandals have rocked the church, especially in America, with the fall-out of shattered lives and a sense that the church has betrayed the very people it should have been protecting. While still a Cardinal, our Holy Father referred to the filth in the church, of priests who ought to belong solely to God.
The whole issue of homosexuality causes strong emotions among people today, and there is a new feeling, even among some churchmen, that it is unfair and even immoral to suggest that same sex relationships are unnatural or wrong. This is partly due to the declining influence of Judaeo-Christian values, and partly due to the growing belief that without sexual expression, a human person cannot real personal fulfilment. To disapprove of homosexual acts is considered at least heartless, at the most evil, and governments are lobbied to legalise gay marriage and criminalise any word or act which questions the active homosexual lifestyle.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992)
The Catechism reaffirms the churchs traditional position on homosexuality. It recognises that a significant number of people are homosexual and appreciates that this condition is usually not chosen, and is for many a trial. We have a duty to accept such people with respect, compassion and sensitivity. All unjust discrimination is to be avoided These persons are called to fulfil Gods will in their lives, and if Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lords Cross the difficulties they have. (235
Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection. (2349)
Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, Tradition has always declared that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered. They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved (2357)
Youd think for Catholics, that would be that, wouldnt you? The Catechism is hardly ambiguous and there is no reason for any Catholic not to know the teaching.
Anything which affects the private lives of people will inevitably cause strong feelings and reactions. I hope readers will take it as read that this is a study undertaken to learn what the Church teaches rather than to make private judgement, although I have made comments throughout. I approach this very sensitive issue from the standpoint of an orthodox Catholic, and hope that what follows will be read in that light.
________
In the modern world the doctrine of the Catholic Church has often become so undermined that it is not uncommon to find even priests who do not teach the faith, and bishops who cannot be relied upon to act. After 2000 years of unambiguous teaching on homosexuality, it has been necessary, in 2005, for the Vatican to issue a document laying down guidelines for situations when seminaries have become infiltrated by the gay culture. Terrible scandals have rocked the church, especially in America, with the fall-out of shattered lives and a sense that the church has betrayed the very people it should have been protecting. While still a Cardinal, our Holy Father referred to the filth in the church, of priests who ought to belong solely to God.
The whole issue of homosexuality causes strong emotions among people today, and there is a new feeling, even among some churchmen, that it is unfair and even immoral to suggest that same sex relationships are unnatural or wrong. This is partly due to the declining influence of Judaeo-Christian values, and partly due to the growing belief that without sexual expression, a human person cannot real personal fulfilment. To disapprove of homosexual acts is considered at least heartless, at the most evil, and governments are lobbied to legalise gay marriage and criminalise any word or act which questions the active homosexual lifestyle.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992)
The Catechism reaffirms the churchs traditional position on homosexuality. It recognises that a significant number of people are homosexual and appreciates that this condition is usually not chosen, and is for many a trial. We have a duty to accept such people with respect, compassion and sensitivity. All unjust discrimination is to be avoided These persons are called to fulfil Gods will in their lives, and if Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lords Cross the difficulties they have. (235
Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection. (2349)
Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, Tradition has always declared that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered. They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved (2357)
Youd think for Catholics, that would be that, wouldnt you? The Catechism is hardly ambiguous and there is no reason for any Catholic not to know the teaching.
