The Church on Homsexuality

The Catholic Church understands there are many people who, through no fault of their own, are sexually attracted to members of the same sex. In many cases, homosexuals have had these feelings since childhood and they are often a source of great anguish. Church teaching on homsexuality, basing itself on the Bible, Sacred Tradition and the Church Magisterium, affirms the immorality of homosexual acts, while simultaneously witnessing to the dignity and respect that is due to each homosexual person.

Ignoring both the damaging medical and emotional affects of the homosexual lifestyle, western societies are now embracing homosexuality as something to be celebrated. The final push for the normalization of homosexual behavior in the West, of course, is for gay marriage. And in most cases this is being done through legal fiat using state supreme courts.

The definitive Catholic Church teaching on homosexual acts is spelled out in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Pope John Paul II called the Catechism “a sure norm” for teaching the faith. The Catechism states:

2357..."Basing 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 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."

The Catechism reminds us that homesexuals "must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided."

Learn why charity demands that we speak the truth about homosexuality.