You should have the opportunity at some point to speak with her about moral issues, like Homosexual relationships, Gay “Marriage”, Birth Control, etc.I am the RCIA sponsor of a girl roughly my own age. She might be a lesbian, but does not wish to talk about it. She doesn’t seem to be living the “gay lifestyle”. I’m not sure if I should bore into such personal matters. She is a good person with sincere convictions. Help?
I would personally consider another person. Most RCIA programs should have a pool of people they can call upon for those without a sponsor. Either find someone else or ask your RCIA coordinator to get you someone else. A person doesn’t have to necessarily “live the gay lifestyle” to promote an attitude that is not in line with Christian teachings.I am the RCIA sponsor of a girl roughly my own age. She might be a lesbian, but does not wish to talk about it. She doesn’t seem to be living the “gay lifestyle”. I’m not sure if I should bore into such personal matters. She is a good person with sincere convictions. Help?
I don’t think it’d be a good idea to do so. She is very much for Church teachings, and the question over her sexuality came to be by some other person mentioning it to me, not by “an attitude that is not in line with Christian teachings”.I would personally consider another person. Most RCIA programs should have a pool of people they can call upon for those without a sponsor. Either find someone else or ask your RCIA coordinator to get you someone else. A person doesn’t have to necessarily “live the gay lifestyle” to promote an attitude that is not in line with Christian teachings.
However, this is a matter of discernment for you. Only you (you know her) can really judge whether her sexual orientation is something she is battling or something she has accepted - and this will effect her spiritual walk. This will naturally will effect your walk, as well. Sponsors are supposed to be a good Catholic example.
Regards
Carefully read up on the Churches teaching on these moral matters, in the Catechism and other Church documents.I don’t think it’d be a good idea to do so. She is very much for Church teachings, and the question over her sexuality came to be by some other person mentioning it to me, not by “an attitude that is not in line with Christian teachings”.
It is something I am sort of worried about. She doesn’t know many people where I’m from, and I’m not sure if she’d be willing to share such personal details with another RCIA sponsor. The only other Catholics she has befriended are not confirmed yet, and they do not really support the Church’s stance on homosexuality… and other things. (Most of the Catholic youth here are not confirmed until their senior year.) Besides, I am her friend, and I care about her. The worst thing I could do is leave her without some spiritual guide.
I agree with Br. Rich SFO in that I will let the issue come up when it needs to, because it most certainly will. Right now, I will let things be as they are.
Thanks for the advice, guys.
I’m not sure her sexual orientation should be a disqualification from joining the church. Homosexuality is a sinful act, this is true. But lets think for a bit about how Christ treated sinners, he sought them out didn’t he? Just because gay people make us feel more uncomfortable, it doesn’t mean they make God madder, that Jesus is making an exception in the case of “gay” people, “oh yeah, those ones can’t enter my Church”.I am the RCIA sponsor of a girl roughly my own age. She might be a lesbian, but does not wish to talk about it. She doesn’t seem to be living the “gay lifestyle”. I’m not sure if I should bore into such personal matters. She is a good person with sincere convictions. Help?
He is not there to judge her but to help her understand the teachings of the Church, including the moral teachings. He will present her as her Sponsor stating that she understands what the Church teaches and also lives what the Church teaches.I’m not sure her sexual orientation should be a disqualification from joining the church. Homosexuality is a sinful act, this is true. But lets think for a bit about how Christ treated sinners, he sought them out didn’t he? Just because gay people make us feel more uncomfortable, it doesn’t mean they make God madder, that Jesus is making an exception in the case of “gay” people, “oh yeah, those ones can’t enter my Church”.
If they’re Gay, then that will be something they’re going to have to work out with your parish priest. If they’re Gay and managing to live a richeous life, then well… they’re a saint in my eyes, and I have to think God will have a reward for them in the Kingdom equal to the cross they carry in life. I would continue to guide her, and exhort her to a prayerful, holy life style. Gay or straight.
This really isn’t the problem. The Church accepts people whether they are straight or gay, and if you think otherwise, you are gravely mistaken. What matters is how she chooses to live out her sexuality, and I don’t exactly know how she will act on it. That’s the problem.I’m not sure her sexual orientation should be a disqualification from joining the church. Homosexuality is a sinful act, this is true. But lets think for a bit about how Christ treated sinners, he sought them out didn’t he? Just because gay people make us feel more uncomfortable, it doesn’t mean they make God madder, that Jesus is making an exception in the case of “gay” people, “oh yeah, those ones can’t enter my Church”.
If they’re Gay, then that will be something they’re going to have to work out with your parish priest. If they’re Gay and managing to live a richeous life, then well… they’re a saint in my eyes, and I have to think God will have a reward for them in the Kingdom equal to the cross they carry in life. I would continue to guide her, and exhort her to a prayerful, holy life style. Gay or straight.
Filius,This really isn’t the problem. The Church accepts people whether they are straight or gay, and if you think otherwise, you are gravely mistaken. What matters is how she chooses to live out her sexuality, and I don’t exactly know how she will act on it. That’s the problem.