Should I invite a lesbian couple to mass?

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I think that’s the heart of the issue. In a way, I feel like I’m inviting her to a mass that, if she gets from the mass what I do, would start the process of unraveling her current life, where she has two kids with a her partner.
 
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Right, that’s part of what I’m struggling with. I feel like she’s crying out for the Catholic Church, but if I invite her to mass, it’s like I’m showing her something beautiful that she can’t really participate in given her current life.
 
Just be honest with her about what Catholics are about. What about her partner?
 
It depends. Mass doesn’t always go as planned and a bad sermon or something could impede rather than help her convert. Even Catholics have problems with the Mass and it takes commitment to want stay and it could drive her away. You mentioned that she had a desire so it could work out. This is about whether it is prudential or not.
 
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DictatorCzar said:
Because the Holy Spirit would lead them to being straight. Their lives would turn around and change. If they do turn straight, it was because you helped them lead to this route.
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This is not Church teaching. We don’t insist that people be straight; we insist, per divine law, upon celibacy for the unmarried. “Turning straight” is rather offensive way of putting it in my opinion.

OP, I would only caution against it if you think your parish would give a vibe of unwelcoming. They need to be treated and respected as people first, not preached at and their sins examined from the moment they step through the door. I’ve been to parishes of both extremes and everything in between (and not just with their particular ‘concerns’). Anyone in a living situation or way of life not in conformity with Church teaching needs to be met with love first and foremost.
 
Cor_ad_Cor said:
OP, I would only caution against it if you think your parish would give a vibe of unwelcoming.
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This. At the risk of triggering everyone by mentioning Fr James Martin, he does tell an insightful story about a mom who worked very hard to convince her gay adult child to come to Mass with her, only to hear a hellfire-and-brimstone homily against gays from the pulpit at that Mass. The kid obviously didn’t want to go to any more Masses after that. If your priest is in the habit of preaching in that way, I would suggest you take your gay friend to another church.
 
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They would need to come to Mass with the understanding that their living situation should not be promoted or flaunted. No signs of romantic affection between them should be displayed since it would be contrary to Church teaching and a scandal to the faithful. Also, they should be counseled that an invitation to Mass should not be interpreted as the Church condoning their choices. Obviously this should be done as charitably as possible, because if they truly don’t understand what the Church teaches, it does them no favors to “lead them on” so to speak by making them think that there is some new teaching in the Church that same sex partnerships are encouraged or allowed.
 
GiftofMercy said:
Of course. However, I would explain the Catholic stance on Marriage to her and on singles living a chaste life. Do this in a loving manner though.
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I would say she already knows this. I’d let her bring up any concerns she might have, then answer her questions in accord with the teachings of the Church.

30-40 years ago, there was this undercurrent in society in which secular people presumed “the Church will change, they will eventually come around”, as though it’s an inevitable march towards “progress” and the Church is just a little behind the curve. Not so much anymore. People know what the Church teaches, and nobody imagines that a future pope will change church teaching on homosexual activity, premarital sex, abortion, contraception, and so on. There aren’t many theological liberals becoming priests anymore.
 
HomeschoolDad said:
30-40 years ago, there was this undercurrent in society in which secular people presumed “the Church will change, they will eventually come around”, as though it’s an inevitable march towards “progress” and the Church is just a little behind the curve. Not so much anymore. People know what the Church teaches, and nobody imagines that a future pope will change church teaching on homosexual activity, premarital sex, abortion, contraception, and so on. There aren’t many theological liberals becoming priests anymore.
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To be honest myself and others still think the Catholic Church will become more accepting, it’s just that we understand that the Church moves forward in geological time.
 
bobperk said:
Also, they should be counseled that an invitation to Mass should not be interpreted as the Church condoning their choices.
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I guess this is one part I’m worried about as well. If I invite a lesbian couple with two kids, am I giving tacit approval to their lifestyle?
 
Yes, you should invite them to Mass. Everyone is welcome there. Start with little steps first, maybe talk to them about finding a church, see if they are open and curious. It is amazing how the Holy Spirit leads us.
 
I will disagree. Its quite common for non Catholics, and even non practising Catholics to be unclear on these things, and on why we believe what we do.
It is unloving and uncharitable to ask a person and their partner to a Catholic Mass without preparing them a little first, in the liturgy of the Mass itself, and in what and why we believe what we do.

The level of confusion is quite high, as evidenced by the many threads here on CAF, on public media, and in society.
 
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should I invite a lesbian couple to Mass?
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Exposing anyone to the simple love and beauty of the Church’s heart as it is expressed by divine command in the liturgy of the Mass is almost always a good way to help people see her in a new and different light. However, because Masses are usually celebrated in sacred buildings where no distinction is made between active, full participants and those who are only there to see, learn or understand, if the lesbians appeared obviously “as a couple” then they would simply be assumed to be Catholics virtually only present to protest the Church’s teaching or offer disrespectful defiance.

A “catechumen’s gallery” in a Church building where the liturgy is publicly celebrated with the people might be advantageous. A bishop could also order clear signage to direct the only curious to this gallery, which if persons were seated there would also alert the presiding celebrant in the case of a Mass to courteously inform the gathered assembly that the Eucharistic Host ought only be received by those in full communion with the Church and not conscious of any unconfessed grave or mortal sin (and he might then offer them to come up to receive a blessing instead if their hearts move them to desire one from the Church).

Of course, catechumens could also be seated there as well as Catholics in good standing who are accompanying guests.
 
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Of course! Spread the gospel to them. Make sure you are respectful of them but make sure that you condemn their behaviour. Perhaps they will become chaste and convert to the one true faith.

They may not receive the precious blood.
 
GiftofMercy said:
I will disagree. Its quite common for non Catholics, and even non practising Catholics to be unclear on these things, and on why we believe what we do.
It is unloving and uncharitable to ask a person and their partner to a Catholic Mass without preparing them a little first, in the liturgy of the Mass itself, and in what and why we believe what we do.

The level of confusion is quite high, as evidenced by the many threads here on CAF, on public media, and in society.
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I agree that the Mass should briefly be explained to them, and that the Church does not ordinarily offer the Eucharist to non-Catholics. How much catechesis on the faith is needed would depend on the circumstances. A good place to start would be the Real Presence. I wouldn’t start out by explaining the Church’s teaching on homosexuality. That is common knowledge. You might emphasize that the Church welcomes all and that the Catholic Church doesn’t necessarily expect them to “pray the gay away” and to “live in shame”. We do not believe that people choose to be gay. Some fundamentalists say this.
 
I think this is a horrendous approach to evangelization. I predict this approach will win very few converts. The Church meets people where they’re at. Baby steps. Yelling at someone that their entire lifestyle is an affront to God will not get them in the door. Get them to Mass and the Holy Spirit will do the rest.
 
When someone invites their non-Catholic father who is living with his second wife, is a preemptive speech also required?
Such correction would be more productive once the Holy Spirit has been given room to work and the individual has made steps towards being open to the faith.
 
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