Teacher to trustees: Ontario equity strategy ‘rejects Catholic teaching on same-sex attractions’

[Pax_et_Bonum]

Teacher to trustees: Ontario equity strategy ‘rejects Catholic teaching on same-sex attractions’
BY PATRICK B. CRAINE
Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:13 ESTComments (1)

TORONTO, Ontario, June 21, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Ontario government’s controversial equity and inclusive education strategy “adds nothing to Catholic teaching,” which upholds the dignity of all persons as made in the image and likeness of God, “except to reject [Catholic] teaching about same-sex attractions,” pronounced a retired Catholic teacher at last Thursday’s Toronto Catholic District School Board meeting. (see video)

Joining over 150 parents to urge that the board’s equity policy be faithful to Catholic teaching, Lou Iacobelli urged the board’s trustees to pass the eight amendments put before them.

Four of those amendments passed and the others have been delayed to August. The school board informed LifeSiteNews late Wednesday that the special board meeting this Thursday will not take up the amendments as expected.

“As Catholic trustees it is the very freedom to practice our faith in all matters that you must protect tonight,” said Iacobelli, who noted that he and his wife together have taught in the board for a total of 65 years. “You are accountable to Catholic parents who have entrusted you to protect the Catholic faith for the community and their sons and daughters.”

The board’s equity policy has sparked an unprecedented mobilization of parents who fear that it will give homosexual activists a foothold in order to further subvert already weak Catholic sexual teaching in the schools. Last month, parents submitted a petition signed by 2,418 Catholic stakeholders demanding the equity policy be rejected or amended. At the Thursday, June 16 meeting an additional petition signed by over 1,000 Chinese Catholic parishioners from the Toronto Chinese Catholic Task Force.

lifesitenews.com/news/ontario-equity-strategy-rejects-catholic-teaching-on-same-sex-attractions-u

 

[followingtheway]

Wait, I’m confused I know we have teachings against same-sex acts but I didn’t know what taught something about inner attractions, wait do we?

 

[Pax_et_Bonum]

Poor choice of words.Or poor reporting/It is no sin to suffer from SSA,it is a cross to bear.It IS sinful to act in them.

 

[markomalley]

Wait, I’m confused I know we have teachings against same-sex acts but I didn’t know what taught something about inner attractions, wait do we?

The Church teaches that the homosexual inclination is “objectively disordered.” It is an inclination that orients the affected person towards doing evil. While the Church does not teach that a homosexual inclination is, if not acted upon, sinful in of itself, she teaches that it is an additional cross to bear for one who wishes to live in accordance with the gospel.

For example, as a man with heterosexual tendencies, I have natural desires to want to have sex with a woman.

I can act on those desires sinfully (fornication, adultery,contraceptive sex, unnatural sex, etc.) or in accordance with God’s will (get married and have sexual relations that are open to life with my wife).

On the other hand, if I was a man with homosexual tendencies, I would have desires to have sex with another man rather than a woman. There is no way that I would be able to act on that desire in accordance with God’s will.

It should be emphasized that, just as not all those who have heterosexual tendencies are sex-crazed fiends, nobody is likewise saying that all of those who have homosexual tendencies would be sex-crazed fiends either. Just as it is possible for a heterosexual man or woman to live a chaste life, even if unmarried, it is also possible for a homosexual man or woman to live a chaste life as well.

The issue within the article is summarized in the following paragraph:
“Let’s be clear. The aim of the Equity Education Strategy is to make same-sex attractions normal, accepted, encouraged and celebrated,” Iacobelli insisted. “[It] is a way of normalizing the idea that human life and sexuality are merely human constructs, with the ultimate judge being those appointed to the [Ontario Human Rights Commission].”
The Human Rights Commissions within Canada have, for years, been pushing an agenda that is directly opposed to the teachings of the Church. For a few examples, see this link. I think this teacher’s concerns are very well grounded.

For more information on the Church’s teachings regarding the homosexual inclination, please see the following documents published by the Holy See:

1986 Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons – Homosexualitatis problemaAlthough the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil; and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder.
Therefore special concern and pastoral attention should be directed toward those who have this condition, lest they be led to believe that the living out of this orientation in homosexual activity is a morally acceptable option. It is not.

Some considerations concerning the response to legislative proposals on the non-discrimination of homosexual persons, July 23, 199210. “Sexual orientation” does not constitute a quality comparable to race, ethnic background, etc. in respect to non-discrimination. Unlike these, homosexual orientation is an objective disorder (cf. Letter, no. 3) and evokes moral concern.
Considerations regarding proposals to give legal recognition to unions between homosexual persons (June 3, 2003)The homosexual inclination is however “objectively disordered”(9) and homosexual practices are “sins gravely contrary to chastity”.(10)
From the Congregation for Catholic Education

Instruction concerning the criteria for the discernment of vocations with regard to persons with homosexual tendencies in view of their admission to the Seminary and to Holy Orders (November 4, 2005)**Deep-seated homosexual tendencies, which are found in a number of men and women, are also objectively disordered and, for those same people, often constitute a trial. Such persons must be accepted with respect and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. They are called to fulfil God’s will in their lives and to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter

 

[wisdomseeker]

It is time to shake the dust of the feet and move on. Let the Lord deal with such a nations.