Rejection of the Church over homosexuality?

[romanus]

I have read that the actress Ann Hathaway says she gave up on the Catholic Church at the age of 15 after learning that a close relative was homosexual, feeling that she “could not support a religion” that “did not support” the relative. Reportedly she now describes herself as a “non-denominational Christian.”

Is anyone out there associated with a group helping homosexuals to live chastely who might write to Miss Hathaway and offer to engage in dialogue with her about her misunderstanding?

Alternatively, if anyone knows that the above reports are not accurate, letting us know would be a service.

 

[coachdennis]

It’s called free will.

 

[romanus]

My point is that there may have been a pastoral gap which, if filled, might help a soul come back to the way of salvation.

People involved in the apostolate that I mentioned might possibly be the best placed to make an approach. I posted the thread in the hope of eliciting helpful responses from such people.

 

[Basilios]

Is anyone out there associated with a group helping homosexuals to live chastely who might write to Miss Hathaway and offer to engage in dialogue with her about her misunderstanding?

I am afraid that she is using a kind of liberal euphemism. What she means is that the Catholic Church didn’t condone their sinful lifestyle and celebrate their sin, so she left the faith. That’s almost 95% of the time what it means when people say “The Church didn’t support people in x”. I hope I am wrong, and I may be wrong with her case so I admit that it’s not always the case. But it probably would still be a great thing to do, for someone who is living the faith fully to explain that all are called to chastity, and that those with SSA have a heavy cross to bear but not one that is too-heavy if they rely on the sacraments.

 

[romanus]

Thank you, Basilios. You’ve understood exactly what I was getting at.

 

[Hovannes]

It’s not a rejection of the Catholic Church as much as it is a rejection of Scripture.
That makes it serious business indeed when a person expects the Catholic Church to reject Scripture in order for them to “feel good about Church.”:doh2:

 

[romanus]

It’s true that what Scripture says on the subject is normative for the Church, but the authority being rejected in such a case is really that of the Church.

Fundamentally, because the Bible is the book of the Church (no Church, no Scripture); moreover because the Church interprets for us the norms of moral conduct which God has revealed.

For example, according to Deuteronomy 24:1-4 it is an “abomination” for a man to take back his divorced wife if she has had another husband in the meantime. That is a ruling of the Mosaic Law which does not bind Christians. (The Catholic hero of Evelyn Waugh’s World War II trilogy takes back his thrice-divorced wife in circumstances which make his action not only legitimate - because the first marriage remains presumptively valid - but charitable and meritorious.) In the case of homosexual acts, there is a convergence of natural law, Mosaic Law and New Testament that is certainly binding. The teaching of the Church removes all possible doubt.

 

[GWright]

I have read that the actress Ann Hathaway says she gave up on the Catholic Church at the age of 15 after learning that a close relative was homosexual, feeling that she “could not support a religion” that “did not support” the relative. Reportedly she now describes herself as a “non-denominational Christian.”

Is anyone out there associated with a group helping homosexuals to live chastely who might write to Miss Hathaway and offer to engage in dialogue with her about her misunderstanding?

Alternatively, if anyone knows that the above reports are not accurate, letting us know would be a service.

Hi Romanus

My understanding is that Hathaway and her entire family (parents etc) converted to the Episcopal Church, from Catholicism, upon learning that her brother was homosexual.

In my opinion this was an empty gesture from people whose religion is more of a cultural attribute, than an actual faith.

And the fact that this move was made public, suggests it was more about making a statement / seeking attention, than it was a matter of personal conscience.

 

[romanus]

Then it sounds as if her parents were primarily responsible. She was only 15 at the time, it seems.

 

[GWright]

Then it sounds as if her parents were primarily responsible. She was only 15 at the time, it seems.

Ah, I didn’t realise she was 15 at the time, I thought it was a recent move (as it has been in the news recently).

Also - the conversion shows that the family feel they can define the truth to suit themselves. This is invalid as, we know, there is only one truth which is the same for everyone.

There is also an element of hypocrisy, in that they were seemingly comfortable with Catholic teaching, up until the point where it challenged their own family.

 

[Steveabrous]

I have read that the actress Ann Hathaway says she gave up on the Catholic Church at the age of 15 after learning that a close relative was homosexual, feeling that she “could not support a religion” that “did not support” the relative. Reportedly she now describes herself as a “non-denominational Christian.”

Is anyone out there associated with a group helping homosexuals to live chastely who might write to Miss Hathaway and offer to engage in dialogue with her about her misunderstanding?

Alternatively, if anyone knows that the above reports are not accurate, letting us know would be a service.

Unfortunately the report is true. I am also sure that Ms. Hathaway is aware of the churches efforts to help those with same-sex attraction. She obviously wants a church that accepts homosexual acts as normal. Which it is not. The real church, the Catholic church, can not accept this regardless of who gets offended. Famous or not Ms. Hathaway has made her decision, and I for one shake the dust off my sandles concerning her.

 

[romanus]

Stevabrous said:

“I am also sure that Ms. Hathaway is aware of the churches efforts to help those with same-sex attraction.”

If, as DaddyGirl said, “It seems she and her family had a lot of pastoral teaching and care,” that may be so. But it’s not always necessarily so when someone has an issue with the Church on a subject that they take personally.

 

[Steveabrous]

Stevabrous said:

“I am also sure that Ms. Hathaway is aware of the churches efforts to help those with same-sex attraction.”

If, as DaddyGirl said, “It seems she and her family had a lot of pastoral teaching and care,” that may be so. But it’s not always necessarily so when someone has an issue with the Church on a subject that they take personally.

I really doubt that knowing that the church is sympathetic towards those with ssa. would make the difference in her case.

I think the key here is “someone has an issue with the Church on a subject that they take personally.”

The reality is that people are going to disagree with the church on it’s stances. We shouldn’t worry so much about “offending” people with the truth. Or we risk watering it down to make it more popular.

If Ann Hathaway, and others, wish to leave the church because it WILL NOT CHANGE HER STANCE on this or other issues. Then I say goodbye to her and others like her.

I would rather be a member of Gods true church small and on fire for the truth, then God’s true church bloated and cold compromising the truth.

 

[romanus]

The Church not only “will not,” she simply cannot change her position on this issue.

 

[Pilosopo]

CAF is a fairly safe place to express dissenting opinions. Right?
It is place to see arguments, express them, and still respect each other.

On that note, I do feel that the Catholic Church is somewhat wanting in wrapping its “mind” (philosophy-theology-pastoral concern) around homosexuality. This is my honest opinion.

I know priests who have had “to fall” because of it.
As an ex-seminarian, I know there is a certain spectrum of sorts of guys who are effeminate to those who are acting out.
Sad. But, ours is a Church of people called to holiness. And so the call continues.

[Beside Ms. Hathaway, consider former Gov. Jim McGreevey.]

 

[romanus]

When I say the Church cannot change her position, I mean, of course, on the principle. One can always reflect on any subject in the hope of understanding it better. Moreover, pastoral strategy always has to be adapted (without in any way compromising the truth) to the person the pastor is trying to reach.

 

[Lancer]

I have read that the actress Ann Hathaway says she gave up on the Catholic Church at the age of 15 after learning that a close relative was homosexual, feeling that she “could not support a religion” that “did not support” the relative. Reportedly she now describes herself as a “non-denominational Christian.”

**Is anyone out there associated with a group helping homosexuals to live chastely who might write to Miss Hathaway and offer to engage in dialogue with her about her misunderstanding?
**
Alternatively, if anyone knows that the above reports are not accurate, letting us know would be a service.

Yes…a great apostolate…run by a great priest…Father Paul Check.
Pax Christi

The Courage Apostolate

In 2008, Fr. Harvey, now deceased, handed the leadership of the Courage apostolate over to Father Paul Check. Father Check is a former US Marine Corps captain who was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1997. He became a Courage chaplain at the request of his bishop, William Lori, in 2003, and is now assigned full-time to the Courage apostolate.

In a December 2010 interview by The Catholic World Report, Fr. Check summed up the Courage apostolate in this way:

"The Courage apostolate is that maternal solicitude on the part of the Church to people who have a unique struggle, an often difficult and vexing one, and who want to know that the grace of Christ and his Cross is available to them in concrete and practical ways. This is part of the charism of Courage and what was in the mind and heart of our founder, Cardinal Cooke. It is a desire to express the Church’s care and affection for a group of people who often feel isolated. I don’t just say lonely, but isolated. They’re uncertain about where they can find assistance, who really takes an interest in them and who has a love for them. The Church does."
couragerc.net/Courage_Apostolate.html

**The Courage Apostolate Home Page

Veni Redemptor Gentium!**

**Are you or a loved one experiencing homosexual attractions and looking for answers?

Courage, an apostolate of the Catholic Church, ministers to persons with same-sex attractions and their loved ones. We have been endorsed by the Pontifical Council for the Family and our beloved John Paul II said of this ministry, “COURAGE is doing the work of God!” We also have an outreach called EnCourage which ministers to relatives, spouses, and friends of persons with same-sex attractions.**

couragerc.net/