In preparing to
write my first blog, I considered long and hard what I would want to write
about. Parts of me choose this subject because, frankly, I wanted to make a
splash. But more to the point: this is a subject I truly feel passionate about.
It is very hard to go anywhere these days without getting to know at least a few
people who struggle with homosexuality. Through my work as a Youth Minister, I've encountered several young men and women who are confused about their
sexual identity, who are seeking, like all human beings, for love and affirmation;
a deep soul connection with another person. In my personal life, I have no less
then three friends who are openly homosexual and live homosexual life styles. And while I understand their deep seated desire for love, acceptance and affirmation, I also see the damage that their relationships cause them and others. This conversation is one that is remarkably emotionally charged for many. The
topic of homosexuality, and the Church’s stance, is one that is misunderstood
by many, confused by the society, and even blatantly (and erroneously) attacked
by a few.
My
goal for this brief blog, which by its very nature will not be a sufficient
argument, is to discuss what the Church is accused of, in regards to its stance
against homosexuality, what it actually teaches (to a limited degree since I am
of limited knowledge), and explain the “why” behind the “what.”
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| Where is the tolerance of differing ideas and Creeds? |
Perhaps the most common argument
against the Catholic Church is that she, and her people, hate homosexuals.
Often citing the Church’s unwavering stance against homosexuality, and fueled
by inflamed-rhetoric. They are quick to accuse the Church of being intolerant
or out dated.
The Church Hates Gays?
Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said
that, "There are not more than 100 people in the world who truly hate the
Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they perceive to be the
Catholic Church.” These words could not
be truer in regards to the unfounded belief that Catholics hate homosexuals. The Church has stated that it is “deplorable that homosexual
persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action.
Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church’s pastors wherever it
occurs.”[1]
She goes on to call attention to the fact that “the intrinsic dignity of each
person,” homosexual or heterosexual, “must always be respected in word, in
action and in law.”[2]
Furthermore, the Church’s ministry to homosexuals is not one of hatred
or un-acceptance; it is, in fact, the most loving and fully accepting approach
of the subject that any other organization employees. While many try to argue that
homosexuality is akin to compulsive, uncontrollable acts of erotic desire, the
Church boldly stands against such “demeaning assumptions.” Instead the Church
knows it is “essential … that the fundamental liberty which characterizes the
human person[,] and gives him his dignity[,] be recognized as belonging to
the homosexual person as well.”[3]
In other words, the Church would never be so crass or unloving as to deny
someone his or her humanity. To claim that all homosexual tendencies are
compulsory, by its very nature, takes out any chance of such novel ideas such
as Love. At the same time, she does not waiver from her stance. The Church
teaches that the homosexual act is
“intrinsically disordered,”[4]
and that even its inclination is seen as “an objective disorder.”[5]
But why? Why does the Church take this, seemingly hurtful, stance? The Church
teaches against homosexuality because, “as in every moral disorder, homosexual
activity prevents one’s own fulfillment and happiness by acting contrary to the
creative wisdom of God.”[6]
This could be best broken down by Steve Gershom, a “Gay Catholic man in
his late twenties,”[7] who surmised
the Church’s teaching against homosexuality by saying:
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| Steve Gershom |
Is it hard to be
gay and Catholic? Yes, because like everybody, I sometimes want things that are
not good for me. The Church doesn't let me have those things, not because she's
mean, but because she's a good mother. If my son or daughter wanted to eat sand
I'd tell them: that's not what eating is for; it won't nourish you; it will
hurt you. Maybe my daughter has some kind of condition that makes her like sand
better than food, but I still wouldn't let her eat it. Actually, if she was
young or stubborn enough, I might not be able to reason with her -- I might
just have to make a rule against eating sand. Even if she thought I was mean.[8]
Steve, in living
with his tendencies towards homosexuality, has lived and realized the authentic
life-giving gift of the Catholic Church.
He knows that any other well from which he could draw from will leave
him empty and unsatisfied. He knows that his satisfaction can come only from
God.
I will expand on
some other points in the future, but for now I will leave you with a few
closing thoughts. The world we live in today is one of quick and fleeting
pleasures. It is the all consuming force which drives our economy, and sadly,
many of us try to find our own self worth and happiness in this ever shifting
materialistic landscape. In the midst of this Chaos, the Church stands as a
stable, unwavering bulwark of Faith. She teaches truth, regardless of how
popular that maybe. Her goal is at once simple yet daunting: to bring true joy
and happiness to each child of God. But, like Steve pointed out, sometimes she
must stand strictly against a false teaching, especially when her children
refuse to learn or understand the truth of a situation. But as a good mother,
precisely in Her stern reproach, there is always a warm embrace, always the
right path that She desperately wishes to guide us on – not for Her own sake,
not for God’s sake, but for our own. I would strongly recommend reading Steve’s
blog, it’s a fantastic read. And, more importantly, a brave and much needed
point of view from a gay man living his life (joyfully) as a Catholic.
For the exact blog I’ve
referenced above, click here. For his blog web site, click here.
for the Vatican document I’ve cited, Click here.
for the Vatican document I’ve cited, Click here.
Bibliography
Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith. (1 October 1986). Letter to the Bishops of
The
Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons. Retrieved
From http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19861001_homosexual-persons_en.html
Gershome, Steve. (2011, July
12). Gay, Catholic, and Doing
Fine. Little Catholic
Bubble. Retrieved from
http://littlecatholicbubble.blogspot.com/2011/07/gay-catholic-and-doing-
fine.html
[1] Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith (CDF).
[2] CDF.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Gershome
[8] Gershome
