Is Fr. Serpa saying that the Homosexual orientation is a sin?

[AveVerumCorpus]

On June 7, Fr. Serpa gave a response regarding accepting gay individuals that I have a serious question about. I have always been under the assumption that we teach homosexual orientation is intrinsically disordered, however the predisposition to same sex attraction is not (in and of itself) a sin. However, sexual acts outside of the sacrament of marriage are (in all cases, including homosexuality, masturbation, premarital) sinful. Can someone clarify this? It seems as though Fr. Serpa is stating that homosexuality itself is a sin, which I have never understood to be the case.
Also, Fr. Serpa seems to take the position that there is no biological evidence for homosexuality. Whether or not this is true, is it now the position of the Church to give the sociological explanation Fr. Serpa has given (homosexuals do not identify with their same sex parents)? When did the Church begin giving scientific (or social-scientific) explanations for homosexuality?
Please advise.
DJM

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear DJM,

Usually these days when people speak of accepting people in the Church who have same-sex attractions, the “accepting” means accepting the gay life style. There are parishes with “gay outreaches” and “gay support” groups that gloss over the fact that by living such a lifestyle such individuals are living in sin. This kind of support they do not need. This is what was on my mind as I answered the question. Certainly, having the orientation is not sinful.

When I was stationed in San Francisco I was asked by some men who had same-sex attractions to start a support group to aid them in living a life of celibacy and this I did. They would spend an hour together before the Blessed Sacrament each week and then came to the priory for a meeting. Fr. John Harvey started a similar group in New York around the same time. I was eventually transferred to another city and therefore did not remain in such ministry. But his group became known as “Courage” and has been quite successful in ministering to people who suffer with this cross. (See couragerc.net/)

There IS at this time no proven evidence that the orientation is physical and inherited. And it is a fact that such people have not identified with the parent of their sex at least in the area of sexual attraction. This is irrefutable and not a matter of opinion.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.