Homosexuality

[unjourparfait]

I was not sure where to post this. But this question has really been bothering me:

I am catholic, but homosexual. Should I confess this to my priest in the confessionals everytime I go? Some other Catholics seem to think I should do this.

Thanks for your support.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

My prayers are with you.

If you are not a practicing homosexual, engaged in a sexual relationship outside of valid marriage, there is no need to confess your homosexuality to the priest. Homosexual inclination is a cross to bear but the sin is incurred only if you act on the inclination. You could mention (not as a sin) that you struggle with feelings of SSA and ask for guidance (maybe join “Courage”) just as any of us who have a particular thorn or cross might ask, even if we have not been guilty of any sin but have a tendency or a struggle.

God bless.

 

[puzzleannie]

I was not sure where to post this. But this question has really been bothering me:

I am catholic, but homosexual. Should I confess this to my priest in the confessionals everytime I go? Some other Catholics seem to think I should do this.

Thanks for your support.

some other Catholics are not in charge of your spiritual health, your priest is, it would be far more helpful to keep these discussions between you and your priest. Our matter for confession is no one else’s business. We confess our sinful actions, not our sinful inclinations. We are all disordered in some way, that is we all inherit a tendency to sinful desires, it is called concupiscence and is a consequence of original sin. We confess when that tendency leads us into sin, not the condition itself.

 

[Bruised_Reed]

some other Catholics are not in charge of your spiritual health, your priest is, it would be far more helpful to keep these discussions between you and your priest. Our matter for confession is no one else’s business. We confess our sinful actions, not our sinful inclinations. We are all disordered in some way, that is we all inherit a tendency to sinful desires, it is called concupiscence and is a consequence of original sin. We confess when that tendency leads us into sin, not the condition itself.

What if a priest isn’t faithful to church teaching and “other Catholics” are? ** unjourparfait** didn’t say that this was a discussion and it could be that he read it somewhere. Having had the experience of a priest questioning why I was confessing certain sins (among other erroneous information given by priests and religious of my acquaintance) I know that double-checking what one is told can be wise.

As far at the rest of your post ** unjourparfait** would be wise to heed what you say.

 

[gmarie21]

What if a priest isn’t faithful to church teaching and “other Catholics” are? ** unjourparfait** didn’t say that this was a discussion and it could be that he read it somewhere. Having had the experience of a priest questioning why I was confessing certain sins (among other erroneous information given by priests and religious of my acquaintance) I know that double-checking what one is told can be wise.

As far at the rest of your post ** unjourparfait** would be wise to heed what you say.

I agree! I once confessed premarital sex and the priest told me that I should ease off of premarital sex, not just stop. He said it’s too difficult to give up cold turkey, that I just needed to make the effort to do it less For as many good, solid priests, there are about the same bad, non-magisterium following priests. Anyone can find a priest who will tell them what they want to hear despite what the Truth actually is.

Unjourparfait, seek out a priest from a parish that has perpetual adoration, or if you’re by any, an Opus Dei priest. I wil pray for you and the heavy cross that you bear.

 

[1ke]

I was not sure where to post this. But this question has really been bothering me:

I am catholic, but homosexual. Should I confess this to my priest in the confessionals everytime I go? Some other Catholics seem to think I should do this.

Thanks for your support.

Others have answered your question regarding confession. You do not have to “confess” having same-sex attraction. You ony need to confess sins you commit. If you are living chastely, then you are living as the Church teaches.

I highly recommend you get in touch with Courage, a church approved ministry for those with same-sex attraction. They can help you.

couragerc.net

 

[Maxply]

Unjourparfait: A poster above called homosexuality a cross to bear, a tough one to bear, and it’s true to view it this way. I know, I have a particularly tough cross to bear as well. It’s not sexual in nature, but a tougher thing than many seem to have to carry. Good luck; consider reading The Imitation of Christ, a useful series of short chapter homilies that’s been around for centuries; helpful for cross-bearers.

 

[Sandi]

Oy, veh, what a can of worms you’ve opened up!

 

[Irish_Becca]

I was not sure where to post this. But this question has really been bothering me:

I am catholic, but homosexual. Should I confess this to my priest in the confessionals everytime I go? Some other Catholics seem to think I should do this.

Thanks for your support.

The CCC says that homosexuals are called to chastity, and need to be accepted with love and respect. The sin is in the act, not the inclination. If you are not engaging in the act, then you have nothing to confess. When other Catholics hassle you about this, please direct them to CCC paragraphs 2357-2359, and remind them that nowhere in the Bible does it ever say that homosexual inclination is a sin, only that the act is a sin.

Also, if you are doing your best to live according to God’s word, you are a wonderful example to others who are struggling with this! It’s not easy by any means, and one of the biggest crosses to bear. It must be even harder with the current goings on in the world. I will be praying for you. God bless you.

 

[Teakafrog]

Also, remember that if you are committing sodomy, and have no intention of quitting, it does no good to confess it. You must repent, which means ‘having a firm purpose of amendment’, or that you actually intend to stop sinning. If you have no intention of stopping the behavior, you cannot be forgiven.
If you are not engaging in the behavior, but simply have the attraction, that is not a sin. Just remain celibate, and you will not have anything to confess.

 

[estesbob]

I was not sure where to post this. But this question has really been bothering me:

I am catholic, but homosexual. Should I confess this to my priest in the confessionals everytime I go? Some other Catholics seem to think I should do this.

Thanks for your support.

Same Sex Attraction is not a sin in itself, homosexual behavior is. the latter requires confession, the former does not.