...as a statement about freedom of speech, and the importance of discussing moral and social issues, I reprint on this Blog a section from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,141 tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."142 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.
2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition. 2359 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.
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2 comments:
Mrs Bogle,
Thank you kindly for posting this truly extraordinary and compassionate section taken from The Cathechism of the Catholic Church. Of course, the Church has always traditionally taught and understood that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered and against natural law, but those who struggle with same-sex attraction are in no way condemned by Holy Mother Church, but, indeed, in her they can find a warm and tender embrace. They are lovingly encouraged - with great respect and sincerity - to encounter Christ, especially as he carries His cross and to unite their sufferings to His as is so beautifully stated in this section from the Catechism.
Please be assured of my prayers for you, Joanna, and many thanks for your life-long service to the Church. God will richly reward you for that !
Wishing you well and humbly asking your prayers,
I am sincerely yours in Christ and Mary,
Tyler
Plenty of non-homosexuals have a sexual attraction that the Church does not allow them to act upon. I had a train journey with a very nice German lady the other day, but it turned out that she is divorced.
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