Same Sex Cohabitations

[thespian12]

I know that the idea of cohabitation with a heterosexual male and female is not smiled upon by the Church because it is a near occasion of sin. But what does the Church say regarding same sex, homosexual or bisexual chaste cohabitations? My gut feeling tells me that would fall under the category of “near occasion of sin” for the same reason heterosexual cohabitation falls under that category – the temptation that exists. But how, then, is same sex non-heterosexual cohabitation different if a religious or a priest happens to have that orientation but lives among members of the same sex? And what if one is straight but the other is not? Do you know of any official Church documents that can help me out with this?

Thanks!

 

[KCT]

Documents? No.

If you could be tempted, you should avoid the situation.

 

[joeybaggz]

The church has said that people of both sexes in certain situations should live as “brother and sister”. It allows that people can live responsibly together. Difficult (assuming both are young and healthy) yes, but possible. As to older people, it is probably a little easier, but that is no given either.

Your question uses the word ‘chaste’. Chaste is chaste, that is living with a responsibity and self control. You either are chaste or you are not. I don’t see the church condemning anyone who lives together in a chaste manner regardless of sexual orientation.

An occasion of sin? Look, if living with a member of the same sex was a de facto “occasion of sin”, every college dormitory would be an occasion of sin. I don’t think the church makes a determination that living together is a de facto occasion of sin. It is what goes on within the relationship/living arrangement that determines whether such an arrangement is morally perilous.

My two cents.

 

[thespian12]

Thank you for your responses. I ask these questions, and specifically request for documents on the Church’s teachings because, one, I wasn’t sure, and, two, I am trying to write something that explains the Church’s position on several issues, and I need credible documents to be able to refer back to in discussing the Church’s teachings.

Looking at the Vatican’s website, it seems most situations in which “cohabitation” is discussed is in regards to heterosexual males and females living together before marriage or in lieu of marriage altogether.

If anyone else can point me off to some helpful sources, it would be greatly appreciated!