In our modern world, the issue of homosexuality in our culture is a hot topic. From gay pride rallies to discrimination to marriage laws, the issues concerning either gays or homosexuals are easily found amongst today's most debated issues. There are many diverse viewpoints on this issue ranging from how people become homosexual to how homosexuals should be treated. The Catholic Church takes a specific position on homosexuality.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex." People who act on these desires in sexual relationships with one of the same sex are classified as "gay." The Catechism clearly states that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered." In addition, sexual intercourse between people of the same sex fails to fulfill one of the main goals of sexual intercourse, reproduction. The Church goes on to state that sex can only be morally good within marriage. If homosexuals could enter marriage relationships, then homosexual activity would be allowed. Pope John Paul II, however, states in his encyclical "CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING PROPOSALS
TO GIVE LEGAL RECOGNITION
TO UNIONS
BETWEEN HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS", that homosexual unions are not possible because they would undermine the common good whose role is to protect, among other things, the family. Because marriage between homosexuals is not allowed according to the Church, gay actions are always objectively wrong. The Catechism later goes on to state that homosexual acts cannot be approved under any conditions. If one stops here, it is easy to believe that the Church condemns homosexuals. Further reading, however, disproves this point.
While the Catholic Church condemns homosexual acts, the Church shows no discrimination toward someone who is simply a homosexual. It is not the person who should be viewed as an objective disorder, but the inclinations they naturally have. The Church calls for all people to treat homosexuals with "respect, compassion, and sensitivity." The Church by no means condones discrimination or ill feelings toward homosexuals. Homosexuals should be treated as any other human, with integrity.
The Church asserts that homosexuals should follow the same path as any other Catholic in their quest for Christ. These people are called to follow Jesus as best they can and unite to battle the difficulties that could arise from their natural condition. Homosexuals should call forth the grace from God and the sacraments to aid them in the goal of living as Jesus did.
In conclusion, the Church clearly accepts homosexuals for the people they trule are. Amongst the discrimination and hatred in today's world toward gays and homosexuals, the Church urges its members to treat these people with the integrity they deserve as human beings and help them in their quest to find and follow God, just like the rest of us.
Sources:
Homosexuality in the Catechism of the Catholic Church
LETTER TO THE BISHOPS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
ON THE PASTORAL CARE OF HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS (Obtained from the Vatican Website)
CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING PROPOSALS
TO GIVE LEGAL RECOGNITION
TO UNIONS
BETWEEN HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS by Pope John Paul II
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