Roman Catholicism & Homosexuality
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In 1986 a Vatican statement described homosexuality as ?objectively disordered? and a 1992 statement argued against laws which prohibited discrimination against gays. These statements outraged both Catholics and non-Catholics in America, especially since the statements seemed directed especially at America. The statements did not, however, have the desired consequences because support for gays and gay rights did not diminish, even among Catholics.
There are a number of points in the official statements which outraged both Catholics and non-Catholics. First was suggestion that those who advocate equal rights for gays might be responsible for the spread of AIDS (?the practice of homosexuality may seriously threaten the lives and well-being of a large number of people?). Gays are the victims of AIDS and it merely rubs salt in an open wound to argue that their suffering this disease might actually be a reason for treating them worse than other citizens.
Second was the clear assertion that there does not exist ?any conceivable right? for people to engage in homosexuality activity. The Vatican was not only opposing the idea that the government should stop gays from being dismissed from jobs or apartments simply because they are gay ? it was, in fact, stating a position which would include the criminalization of homosexual activity entirely.
The Catholic position that homosexual activity is contrary to Natural Law is already dubious enough as it is, but when it tries to argue that homosexual activity should also be contrary to civil law, things are getting out of hand.
It should be no surprise that basically the same position is taken regarding ay marriage: because it is contrary to the official Catholic understanding of Natural Law, it should therefore also remain prohibited by civil law.
Many bishops simply ignored these Vatican statements on homosexuality and continued on as they had before, supporting equal rights for all citizens. Some even expressed their continued support of such legislation publicly, which was effectively a public rebuke of the Vatican?s position. The Conference of Major Superiors of Men, one of the largest church organizations in the United States, reacted strongly:
And so the situation has remained, with its battle lines firmly drawn down through today. On the one side are progressives who work to have gays included more readily in the Catholic Church and on the other are traditionalists who believe homosexuality is such a serious and fundamental disorder that it simply cannot be tolerated in any meaningful manner. What the future will hold for the Church and for gay Catholics is anyone?s guess at this point.
« The Vatican?s Heart Hardens | Catholicism & Homosexuality »
In 1986 a Vatican statement described homosexuality as ?objectively disordered? and a 1992 statement argued against laws which prohibited discrimination against gays. These statements outraged both Catholics and non-Catholics in America, especially since the statements seemed directed especially at America. The statements did not, however, have the desired consequences because support for gays and gay rights did not diminish, even among Catholics.
There are a number of points in the official statements which outraged both Catholics and non-Catholics. First was suggestion that those who advocate equal rights for gays might be responsible for the spread of AIDS (?the practice of homosexuality may seriously threaten the lives and well-being of a large number of people?). Gays are the victims of AIDS and it merely rubs salt in an open wound to argue that their suffering this disease might actually be a reason for treating them worse than other citizens.
Second was the clear assertion that there does not exist ?any conceivable right? for people to engage in homosexuality activity. The Vatican was not only opposing the idea that the government should stop gays from being dismissed from jobs or apartments simply because they are gay ? it was, in fact, stating a position which would include the criminalization of homosexual activity entirely.
The Catholic position that homosexual activity is contrary to Natural Law is already dubious enough as it is, but when it tries to argue that homosexual activity should also be contrary to civil law, things are getting out of hand.
It should be no surprise that basically the same position is taken regarding ay marriage: because it is contrary to the official Catholic understanding of Natural Law, it should therefore also remain prohibited by civil law.
Many bishops simply ignored these Vatican statements on homosexuality and continued on as they had before, supporting equal rights for all citizens. Some even expressed their continued support of such legislation publicly, which was effectively a public rebuke of the Vatican?s position. The Conference of Major Superiors of Men, one of the largest church organizations in the United States, reacted strongly:
- We are shocked that the statement calls for discrimination against gay men and lesbian women. We find the reasoning for supporting such discrimination to be strained, unconvincing and counterproductive to our statements and actions to support the pastoral needs and personal dignity of such persons...
And so the situation has remained, with its battle lines firmly drawn down through today. On the one side are progressives who work to have gays included more readily in the Catholic Church and on the other are traditionalists who believe homosexuality is such a serious and fundamental disorder that it simply cannot be tolerated in any meaningful manner. What the future will hold for the Church and for gay Catholics is anyone?s guess at this point.
« The Vatican?s Heart Hardens | Catholicism & Homosexuality »
