The Church & same sex attraction - Leaflet

T

he Catholic Church in fact never teaches in this way on any subject. The Church uses the Bible to support and explain its teaching. Newspaper writers also emphasize the idea of some Christians that the Church has misinterpreted the Bible texts on this subject. Far from it: the Bible clearly rejects homosexual activity.

Is the Catholic Church alone on this?

N

o. Most human societies also reject homosexual activity.

Even the Greeks, like people in other societies where the existence of homosexual behaviour was frankly recognised, generally disapproved of it. Until very recently, public opinion held to the traditional view, more or less the same as the Church’s teaching, that refused to accept any kind of homosexual behaviour. The Church did not create this view. It was widely held in most cultures. The deep-seated reason for it was a subconscious awareness that diverting sexual activity in this way was fundamentally dangerous to the survival of the human race, because it used sexuality in a way that negated procreation.

Why has homosexuality become an issue all of a sudden?

P

ublic perceptions changed towards the latter part of the 20th century in Europe and America, once contraception became acceptable, cheap and easy. This critical single

development in turn led to a wider refusal to accept any defined framework within which sexual activity should take place. The key shift in thinking identified by the Church has been away from considering sexuality as the ‘source of life’ and the sacramental bond of spouses, to thinking of sexuality as pure pleasure.

So what about gay people?

S

ome homosexual persons cannot accept Catholic belief on sexuality and same sex attraction, because they do not see why there should not be legitimate satisfaction of the sexual urge outside its primary purpose. Sometimes people with troubled spirits are urged to ‘accept their sexuality’, meaning ‘adopt a homosexual lifestyle’. This can be very harmful. Talking about it with a priest or a friend may help those who are aware of an attraction to the same sex. But adopting a homosexual life style will not increase their happiness in the long run.

The Church has the eternal duty of judging things at the deepest level, and in truth, about human nature. At the same time it is the Church’s duty to welcome everybody into the realm of God’s love. So while continuing to teach that homosexual behaviour is wrong, she respects homosexuals as she does every one else, and calls all of us to chastity. God created us all to be saints.

For More Information Catechism of the Catholic Church Paras: 2357-2359, 355, 369-73, 2331-34-1419.

Key Books to Read Beyond Gay, David Morrison

The Church

and same sex attraction

Good News about Sex and Marriage, Christopher West Homosexuality - CTS, (Ex12) Homosexual Unions, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - CTS, (Do707) Man and Woman He made them, Jean Vanier Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality, Pontifical Council for the Family CTS, (Do648) Same-Sex Marriage - Can marriage be redefined?, - CTS, (Ex43) The Truth about Homosexuality, John F. Harvey

Visit: www.CTSbooks.org A wide range of inexpensive publications is available from CTS to help nurture your faith and keep you informed about a wide range of issues. If you would like to receive further information please contact us: CTS, 40-46 Harleyford Road, London SE11 5AY Or visit www.CTSbooks.org Tel: 020 7640 0042 Fax: 020 7640 0046

ISBN 978 1 86082 253 7

LF 6

What does the Church teach about sexuality, homosexuality and ‘gay marriage’?

All rights reserved. ©2004 Incorporated Catholic Truth Society. Pictures © Corbis Images/© Bridgeman Art Library.

25p LF 6 - Church & Same Sex Attraction - Leaflet.indd 2

23/01/2013 14:24

Human sexuality

C

hurch teaching on homosexuality can only be understood within its overall view of the meaning and purpose of human sexual expression. A very high, indeed holy view of human beings underpins all Catholic teaching on sex and the human person.

The Church believes that those with such deep-seated tendencies do not choose their homosexual condition; for most of them it is a trial. Many of them resent being classified according to this aspect of their personalities.

The Church teaches that they must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity, and every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.

Changing circumstances

P

eople may find themselves in unusual circumstances where they become involved in homosexual activity, but later leave it when their situation changes. Others may live as active homosexuals for a period and then deliberately change their way of life - not so much ‘cured’ as converted.

The purpose of sex

T

he Church teaches and believes that human sexuality was provided by God for two reasons: The procreation of humanity, and that any other use of it is against God’s will. Sexuality is directly and inseparably connected to Life.

The unity and happiness of the married couple.

The Church believes that sexual relations are proper only to marriage, and that it has sacramental value, which means the couple receive the Holy Spirit and help from God when they celebrate their sexual union.

‘Gay marriage’

M

arriage is by definition the union of a man and a woman. Marriage between two persons of the same sex is therefore not possible. The idea that the Church has ever approved ‘gay weddings’ or ‘unions’ is historically wrong. Nothing precludes, however, two persons of the same sex from concluding contracts about property and mutual responsibility.

Where is the problem?

H

Same sex attraction

A

bout 3% of people in Britain feel sexual attraction exclusively or predominantly to persons of their own sex. The psychological genesis of homosexuality remains largely unexplained - though theories of persons being born with a homosexual ‘nature’, or that it is ‘nurtured’ by circumstance, exist. For some, even the idea of ‘sexual orientation’ is elusive.

LF 6 - Church & Same Sex Attraction - Leaflet.indd 1

omosexuality becomes a problem when people of the same sex act out, both emotionally and physically, the relationship proper to a husband and wife. The Church has always regarded this as sinful. The Church also considers sinful sexual behaviour between people of the opposite sex that is simply for pleasure or for prostitution. Those who have long-term homosexual relationships, which they regard as experiences of genuine love, may find the Church’s attitude puzzling and hurtful.

But such a response does not take into account the entire picture, for the Church asks all other unmarried people to live chastely too, and in this she is consistent and logical.

What is the basis for the Church’s view?

B I

t is for this very reason that adulterous, extra-marital and contraceptive relations are unacceptable to the Church, as they do not fall within the truth concerning human sexuality as revealed by God.

asing 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 natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity, and under no circumstances can they be approved. Newspaper writers often give the impression that the Church justifies her teaching solely by one or two Bible texts, especially from the Old Testament.

23/01/2013 14:23