Homosexuality, what does the Catholic Church say?
Text published by Marianist Social Justice collaborative - LGBT Initiative Team* of the Catholic lay movement of the Marianist family of North America (United States), freely translated by Clarissa, third part
2. Homosexuality, what the Catholic Church says: Working in a Catholic Institute requires a balance between pastoral sensitivity and the need to affirm Catholic teachings. The Catholic Church recognizes homosexuality as a sexual orientation, and does not express a judgment on orientation itself. However, given that sexual activity between people of the same sex cannot lead to the creation of life, these acts are seen as immoral.
Consistent with other documents of the Church, the definitive position of the Catholic Church is divided into the following sections of Catechism of the Catholic Church:
§2357 Homosexuality designates the relationships between men or women who experience sexual attraction, exclusive or predominant, towards people of the same sex. It manifests itself in very varied forms along the centuries and different cultures. His psychic genesis remains largely inexplicable. By relying on sacred writing, which presents homosexual relationships as serious depravations, tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered". They are contrary to natural law. They preclude the gift of life in sexual act. They are not the result of a true emotional and sexual complementarity. In no case can they be approved.
§2358 A not negligible number of men and women has deeply rooted homosexual tendencies. This objectively disordered inclination constitutes a test for most of them. Therefore they must be welcomed with respect, compassion, delicacy. In their regard, every brand of unjust discrimination will be avoided. These people are called to achieve the will of God in their life, and, if they are Christian, to combine the sacrifice of the Cross of the Lord the difficulties they can encounter as a consequence of their condition.
§2359 Homosexual people are called to chastity. Through the virtues of self -control, educators of inner freedom, through the support, sometimes, of a selfless friendship, with prayer and sacramental grace, can and must, gradually and resolutely, approach Christian perfection.
Catholic doctrine on homosexuality is complex, and there are often misunderstandings. For example:
• homosexual orientation vs. homosexual activity: the Catholic Church does not equate the sexual orientation of a person with sexual activity. Recognizes that the orientation of each is something that cannot be chosen.
• Hard words: terms like “intrinsically disordered”, "Contrary to natural law" and "Objectively disordered" These are technical and philosophical phrases that are difficult to accept without a complete understanding of the Catholic interpretation of the natural law. It is not surprising if some homosexual people and their loved ones find these offensive words.
As an educator you must be aware of the position of the Church on sexual activity, which can only take place within the marriage between a man and a woman.
This does not mean that a gay man or a lesbian woman are "Made badly" (as can lead to thinking about the word "Disordered"), or whether he or her are in some way refused by God. Inclinations to homosexual acts do not diminish in any way the overall human dignity and the intrinsic value of the person.
* Marianist Social Justice collaborative - LGBT Initiative Team It is a project sponsored by the Marianist family of North America.
Original text (PDF):Addressing LGBT ISSUES WITH YOUTH - A RESOURCE FOR EDUCATORS
