Homosexuality and Chastity

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In Catholic teaching, is a romantic homosexual relationship that is chaste considered sinful?

God bless,
 
Homosexuals cannot enter into a romantic relationship of any kind.

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.
 
In Catholic teaching, is a romantic homosexual relationship that is chaste considered sinful?

God bless,
What is your definition of romantic? It seems that a romantic relationship would be displaying or expressing love or strong affection. Homosexual orientation is not sinful but homosexual activity is and it just seems that two people of the same sex who are romancing each other are just a hop skip and a jump away from sexual expressions. I guess there is a lot of gray area in your question since I am not aware of the boundaries of this “romantic” relationship. Keep in mind that even fantasizing about having a sexual relationship can be sinful. Could one be romantic and steer clear of such thoughts? I don’t know… teachccd
 
Homosexuals cannot enter into a romantic relationship of any kind.

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.
I agree. It just seems that romance and anticipated sexual expressions might go hand in hand. Although in the heterosexual realm many couples are romantic and chaste. BUT the whole purpose of the romance is to see their compatiblilty for marriage where sexual expression will take place.

I think that the OP is trying to draw a line in the sand of flirting and sexual activity. I can only find that one will lead to the other…
 
All of our desires need to be aimed toward pleasing God, perhaps via our marital state, or in a celibate state. We need to will the ultimate good of all our brothers and sisters.

Male-Male relationships need to remain brotherly, Female-Female, sisterly.

It’s pretty straightforward.

These postings just seem to grow like weeds, however well meaning…but I sense often that there’s a spirit of “finding a gap / allowance” in my opinion.
 
With the proviso that no sexual activity takes place and the two homosexual persons are genuinely committed to avoiding sexual activity, will someone please tell me why two persons of the same gender may not make a loving but otherwise platonic commitment to one another?

We are called to love God and we are all also called to love one another as we would ourselves be loved.

Where exactly does sex-free affection towards a particular person of a same gender fall under the category of sin?

It may be argued that such a relationship gives scandal since others might assume that the ‘couple’ were engaging in sexual relations. But surely that is down to the bad faith of the observers’ assumptions of guilt over innocence? Assuming the worst of someone is sinful, isn’t it?
 
With the proviso that no sexual activity takes place and the two homosexual persons are genuinely committed to avoiding sexual activity, will someone please tell me why two persons of the same gender may not make a loving but otherwise platonic commitment to one another?

We are called to love God and we are all also called to love one another as we would ourselves be loved.

Where exactly does sex-free affection towards a particular person of a same gender fall under the category of sin?

It may be argued that such a relationship gives scandal since others might assume that the ‘couple’ were engaging in sexual relations. But surely that is down to the bad faith of the observers’ assumptions of guilt over innocence? Assuming the worst of someone is sinful, isn’t it?
Agreed. The OP, however, described the homosexual relationship as “romantic”. What does that term mean to you?
 
With the proviso that no sexual activity takes place and the two homosexual persons are genuinely committed to avoiding sexual activity, will someone please tell me why two persons of the same gender may not make a loving but otherwise platonic commitment to one another?

We are called to love God and we are all also called to love one another as we would ourselves be loved.

Where exactly does sex-free affection towards a particular person of a same gender fall under the category of sin?

It may be argued that such a relationship gives scandal since others might assume that the ‘couple’ were engaging in sexual relations. But surely that is down to the bad faith of the observers’ assumptions of guilt over innocence? Assuming the worst of someone is sinful, isn’t it?
So are you defining a romantic relationship as a “loving but otherwise platonic relationship”?
 
Two people of the same sex can be very best friends and yes that is a type of love. They cannot be romantic with each other. God created man and woman for each other. He willed them together. They are complimentary for each other body and soul.

scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2c1p6.htm
 
I would define ‘romantic’ as those actions which are specifically meaningful to another person and which are done out of a sense of care and love for that person. They need not be physical or sexual.

Take for example two gentlemen living together in a chaste relationship. One of them has a particular interest in, say, antique carriage clocks. In the course of his day to day activities the other gentleman happens across a particularly nice example of such a clock and, while such things don’t necessarily appeal to him, he purchases it for his partner because he knows it will be appreciated both for its own value and also as a sign of his care, affection and love.

That is one example of a romantic gesture. I don’t think anyone can possibly say that there is any sin in such a gesture. There is no fornication involved, rather that there is reciprocity within the relationship between the two partners and their particular level of regard for one another.

‘Romance’ is effected out of normal everyday actions. ‘Romance’ is the drawing together of two people in their care for each other. While it may, in heterosexual relationships, go hand in hand with conjugal acts, it need not necessarily do so. I maintain that it is perfectly possible to be romantic towards someone whom one has no intention of ever being sexual with.
 
Homosexuals cannot enter into a romantic relationship of any kind.

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.
The question becomes, what does “disinterested friendship” mean? It seems like a rather sterile description. Disinterested, in other words, not interested in the other person or no ulterior motives? If you’re not interested in the other person, how can you be their friend?
 
Define romantic? Two men can have any type of relationship they want, as long as they do not commit the sin of sodomy as defined in the Catechism.
 
Hi, I’ll tell you that homosexuality is a very simple condition, no need to “talk” about it. I made it trough high school without “coming out”, I don’t wear rainbows and I can’t really care less about politics or civil rights, and, yes, I’m gay.
Not only that, but I’m in a gay relationship and still in a state of grace. My “boyfriend” since 10th grade and I only share a bed because we just started college and we haven’t furnished our dorm yet, but we NEVER committed homosex. Thats because we have a MUTUAL desire for God and He is our priority (isn’t He supposed to in every catholic relationship?)
Im very blessed to have this wonderful man as my partner- not to satisfy my sexual needs but to support me on my way to Heaven. He’s the one who talks me steers me out of situations of temptation, the one who encourages me to be strong.
Yes, it is an intimate relationship. We know all about each other- our weaknesses, our goals, our strengths. My boyfriend is perfect for me. Now, why do people have a problem with us holding hands? (IDK!)
Anyway, its not a big deal, its just that THOSE gays don’t have better things to do than to think only about themselves.

God bless!
 
Hi, I’ll tell you that homosexuality is a very simple condition, no need to “talk” about it. I made it trough high school without “coming out”, I don’t wear rainbows and I can’t really care less about politics or civil rights, and, yes, I’m gay.
Not only that, but I’m in a gay relationship and still in a state of grace. My “boyfriend” since 10th grade and I only share a bed because we just started college and we haven’t furnished our dorm yet, but we NEVER committed homosex. Thats because we have a MUTUAL desire for God and He is our priority (isn’t He supposed to in every catholic relationship?)
Im very blessed to have this wonderful man as my partner- not to satisfy my sexual needs but to support me on my way to Heaven. He’s the one who talks me steers me out of situations of temptation, the one who encourages me to be strong.
Yes, it is an intimate relationship. We know all about each other- our weaknesses, our goals, our strengths. My boyfriend is perfect for me. Now, why do people have a problem with us holding hands? (IDK!)
Anyway, its not a big deal, its just that THOSE gays don’t have better things to do than to think only about themselves.

God bless!
I understand exactly where you are and have lived almost same way. Unfortunately, you can expect to be chastised around here for being so open about it.
 
Unfortunately, you can expect to be chastised around here for being so open about it.
Not from me. You sound like a well balanced sort of chap. More power to you and less to the flag waving, feather wearing, cavorting male-hussies out there!
 
my priest told me that if i have the kind of feelings for someone of the same sex that people normally have as they move toward and enter marriage, and i pursued that relationship it would be sinful. in other words, if i felt spousal love instead of friendship, then it was sin. but he also said he couldn’t look inside and tell me if i was feeling one or the other; i had to decide that for myself.

what he said to me that i really remember is that we get distracted by the “sex” part, but it isn’t only the simulated sex that is wrong, but the simulated marriage (or dating) that is wrong as well. he said i shouldn’t pretend that sex and the relationships could be treated separately.
 
I think people should ask themselves why see how close one can get to the edge of teh cliff without going over. We need to remember we are all weak and to place ourselves in situations that can lead to sin that are uneccessary are sins in themselves.

People of opposite sex who are not married should not sleep in the same bed either even if they can get maried so why should two guys who have homosexual attractions share a bed? I would say that such people can be friends and support each other, but since they know they have this weakness should avoid situations that place them close to sin.

In my opinion, support from like minded people, even people with similar crosses can be good, but need to have a healthy respect for weaknesses we all suffer (IE heterosexual men should not look throuh lingerie magazines). Alcoholics need to avoid drinking or stepping in bars that place them close to drinking.

The Church’s teaching is not meant to scorn people with this cross, but to assist them to follow a faithful path towards their particular calling. I would say groups like Courage are excellent resources for homosexuals to find a way to discern their calling from Christ and a way to live chastely in such a way that brings true peace.
 
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