The Catholic Church will welcome homosexuals as long as they don't practice "homosexual behavior

[Mannyfit75]

The Catholic Church teaches that persons of same sex attraction should live the life of chastity. The tendency of same sex attraction isn’t a sin. Rather the behavior itself is what the Church condemns.

I would be please if there are individuals out there who live the life of chastity instead of giving in to their homosexual behavior.

I wonder if there are actually Catholics of same sex attractive who have taken that role. I know of a relative of mine has.

 

[cradlecatholic5]

Manny, I feel it is none of my business. Not my place to ask questions.

I have a son who is gay, has a wonderful partner. I accept them and love them I know he and his partner are children of God and I love them. END OF STORY.

 

[puzzleannie]

the title of this thread could even more accurately be: The Catholic Church welcomes all sinners, no matter what commandment they break, she was founded for sinners, to save them from the bondage of sin, and exists to lead them to repentence and conversion from sin. No matter what your temptation, attraction, demon or battle with a sinful nature. the Catholic Church is the place to be because no where else will your human dignity be fully recognized and defended and no where else will you find the way out of that sinful state, and no where else will you find assurance of forgiveness and reconciliation, and no where else will you find union with Christ who took on all those burdens you are carrying, and I am carrying, and we all carry.

What the Catholic Church does not do, because Christ did not do it, is lie about sin, the nature of sin, the source of sin, the consequence of sin, and the burden of sin, and the slavery of sin. Here you will get the Truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

yes I know dozens of people who labor under the particular burden of SSA and live chaste lives fully in harmony with Catholic teaching and the universal moral law, and moreover have lives full of love, friendship and service. I know dozens more who cannot for whatever reason express normal heterosexual love in the context of marriage, at least at this time, who also live chaste lives full of love, friendship and service.

I know dozens more who live good Christian lives in spite of living under burder of tempation of many other sinful inclinations. because it is the nature of my job to share some of their struggles and assist them in coming into full communion with the Church so they can have the support of the whole Church in their conversion.

 

[Will_B]

Bottom line is: We all have friends or relatives who sin… Some of the sin is mortal sin, such as having sex with a person out of wedlock… Same sex or opposite sex

Now, we can not accept the sin, but we are to love the sinner.

Jesus loves us and we all sin… He never accepts our sinning.

Like the woman caught in adultery… He said “Go, and sin no more” …

 

[Mannyfit75]

Manny, I feel it is none of my business. Not my place to ask questions.

I have a son who is gay, has a wonderful partner. I accept them and love them I know he and his partner are children of God and I love them. END OF STORY.

It is our right as Christians to admonished our brothers and sisters, sons, and daughters to correct their behavior. Chastity is the way to go. No sex.

 

[Mannyfit75]

the title of this thread could even more accurately be: The Catholic Church welcomes all sinners…

It is true the Catholic Church welcome all sinners. This thread is for Catholics who have same sex attraction. I brought this topic after listening to Catholic Answers about a caller who is looking for the right religious. She and her 2 friends were rejected. One of them is homosexual and the other was daughter born out of wedlock. She doesn’t know her father. The priest did not welcome them in the Church and Jimmy Akin apologized for the actions of the priest.

Jimmy said that new members who want to join the Church must live the standard that Jesus Christ has taught. The Church won’t welcome any sinner who continues to live in sin.

I am only affirming the Church position that persons of same sex attraction are welcome in the Church just as they remain chaste and live the life of purity.

Jesus made it clear in his preaching. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”

I know there are homosexuals Catholics who want to serve God but they cannot because they are living in sin.

I think homosexuals who remain chaste are much more braver than those who continue to live in sin. Jesus said it best to a sinner. “Go and sin no more.”

 

[LindaSK]

The Catholic Church teaches that persons of same sex attraction should live the life of chastity. The tendency of same sex attraction isn’t a sin. Rather the behavior itself is what the Church condemns.

I would be please if there are individuals out there who live the life of chastity instead of giving in to their homosexual behavior.

I wonder if there are actually Catholics of same sex attractive who have taken that role. I know of a relative of mine has.

“The Catholic Church teaches that persons of same sex attraction should live the life of chastity. The tendency of same sex attraction isn’t a sin. Rather the behavior itself is what the Church condemns.”

This is Truth, not judgment.

The Catholic Church has an ‘equal opportunity’ doctrine. Both homosexuals and heterosexuals are called to live a life of chastity.** Any **sexual act outside the sacred union of marriage between a man and a woman is a sin, whether it is heterosexual or homosexual in nature. Sadly, the secular media has demoted sex from something that is holy to something that is recreational. It has become a lucrative ‘business’, and the deception is fueled by a desire for economic gain. Too many have bought the lie.

The Church welcomes everyone, and also calls B]all to repent of sinful behavior. We are all sinners. We should **all **seek His forgiveness.

So much media attention is given to homosexuals practicing a sinful lifestyle. Similar attention is also given to heterosexuals practicing a sinful lifestyle. Many TV shows exemplify this. And they show it in a positive light! Those of you who recognize your homosexual tendencies, yet choose to live a chaste lifestyle should be the ones to focus on, just as single heterosexuals who live chastely, and married persons who are faithful should be credited for their choices. Is it so hard to stand up for living a life of chastity? All who do should be commended for not caving in to the promiscuous mentality that seems so prevalent today.

 

[Mannyfit75]

“The Catholic Church teaches that persons of same sex attraction should live the life of chastity. The tendency of same sex attraction isn’t a sin. Rather the behavior itself is what the Church condemns.”

This is Truth, not judgment.

The Catholic Church has an ‘equal opportunity’ doctrine. Both homosexuals and heterosexuals are called to live a life of chastity.** Any **sexual act outside the sacred union of marriage between a man and a woman is a sin, whether it is heterosexual or homosexual in nature. Sadly, the secular media has demoted sex from something that is holy to something that is recreational. It has become a lucrative ‘business’, and the deception is fueled by a desire for economic gain. Too many have bought the lie.

The Church welcomes everyone, and also calls B]all

to repent of sinful behavior. We are all sinners. We should **all **seek His forgiveness.

So much media attention is given to homosexuals practicing a sinful lifestyle. Similar attention is also given to heterosexuals practicing a sinful lifestyle. Many TV shows exemplify this. And they show it in a positive light! Those of you who recognize your homosexual tendencies, yet choose to live a chaste lifestyle should be the ones to focus on, just as single heterosexuals who live chastely, and married persons who are faithful should be credited for their choices. Is it so hard to stand up for living a life of chastity? All who do should be commended for not caving in to the promiscuous mentality that seems so prevalent today.

All baptized persons are call to chastity. That affirmed in the Catechism which I have read numerous times. As a single Catholic, I live the life of chastity. I been doing this for 34 yrs. I am a virgin and will remain so unless I marry or continue that life of chastity if I become a priest.

This thread was meant to address homosexual who want to be Catholic by being chaste. Look at the previous comments I have made.

 

[LindaSK]

All baptized persons are call to chastity. That affirmed in the Catechism which I have read numerous times. As a single Catholic, I live the life of chastity. I been doing this for 34 yrs. I am a virgin and will remain so unless I marry or continue that life of chastity if I become a priest.

This thread was meant to address homosexual who want to be Catholic by being chaste. Look at the previous comments I have made.

Sorry, I didn’t quite get your point, I guess. I just have the feeling people are of the impression the Catholic Church singles out homosexual behavior. That is just not the reality of Church teaching, as you said, as is evident in the CCC.

I hope there is a good response from homosexuals who have chosen to live a chaste life. I wish they were more forward.

After a terrible marriage and divorce, I, too, have chosen to live a life of chastity, and have done so for 14 years. No regrets.

 

[StillWondering]

My several cents.

Catholics does spiritual good when they admonish the sinner and instruct the ignorant.

Parents have a duty to teach and correct lovingly behaviors and attitudes that take them away from God.

In general though, an adult to an adult, it is God who converts the sinner not us. So there is a point where we need to understand, okay I have admonish, I have instructed, I must leave the rest to the person and God. I think this is generally the case. If you are a priest or bishop or this is a public debate, that is different.

---

Personally I think the main reason the Church requires that those who are entering the fullness of the Body of Christ here on earth needs to live by Christ’s teaching is for the sake of the interested party. If they join in open disobedience to the Lord, they are bringing condemnation to themselves when they promise to be Catholic in words, deeds, and thought.

This is like going into an electromagnetic lab room with magnetic chains on your neck and metal coins in your pockets. You could get yourself killed just by not reading the warning label outside.

For Catholics, there are lots of warning labels, both big and small in the scriptures and in the teachings of the Church, which are explanations and practical assertions of the teachings from the Apostles. Read those big red warning signs before entering. If you don’t bring metal in the lab room, you can do all sorts of stuff and be find.

 

[desertPavel]

The Catholic Church teaches that persons of same sex attraction should live the life of chastity. The tendency of same sex attraction isn’t a sin. Rather the behavior itself is what the Church condemns.

I would be please if there are individuals out there who live the life of chastity instead of giving in to their homosexual behavior.

I wonder if there are actually Catholics of same sex attractive who have taken that role. I know of a relative of mine has.

I have same sex attraction but I usually don’t “advertise” it but I feel compelled to in this thread. I am a practicing Catholic, I wear the brown scapular, pray the rosary daily, read daily scripture, go to weekly confession, try to go to daily mass (but I have been lax lately), always go to Sunday mass and I have been celibate for over 10 years thanks be to the Sacraments and Our Lady’s intercession.

I don’t identify with the “gay culture” at all now even though I have two friends that I’ve known for over 30 years that still identify with it but they respect my religion.

I have the Catechism of the Catholic Church on my end table and I think that I am conducting my life according to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

By the way thank you for the military service you are giving to our country.

 

[lutherlic]

Wow! This is a really solid thread (so far). I am impressed with the comments (particularly puzzleannie), respect for Church teachings, accuracy and the overall sanity. If only more discussions could be like this!

 

[Felix_Il_Gatto]

Manny, I feel it is none of my business. Not my place to ask questions.

I have a son who is gay, has a wonderful partner. I accept them and love them I know he and his partner are children of God and I love them. END OF STORY.

Good for you for accepting your son’s lifestyle!
I agree, all people are the children of God and Our Blessed Mother and it is never our place to judge anyone.

 

[Jermosh]

Manny, I feel it is none of my business. Not my place to ask questions.

I have a son who is gay, has a wonderful partner. I accept them and love them I know he and his partner are children of God and I love them. END OF STORY.

Thank YOU! You are an awesome parent!

 

[BobObob]

Manny, I feel it is none of my business. Not my place to ask questions.

I have a son who is gay, has a wonderful partner. I accept them and love them I know he and his partner are children of God and I love them. END OF STORY.

It’s great that you love your son and his partner. However, loving your son and his partner does not entail accepting their behavior. Continue to show love towards your son and his partner, but you should not condone their sexual behavior with each other.

The Catholic Church teaches that persons of same sex attraction should live the life of chastity. The tendency of same sex attraction isn’t a sin. Rather the behavior itself is what the Church condemns.

I would be please if there are individuals out there who live the life of chastity instead of giving in to their homosexual behavior.

I wonder if there are actually Catholics of same sex attractive who have taken that role. I know of a relative of mine has.

I’m a practicing Catholic who has SSA. I don’t advertise that I have SSA to people offline, because it is not safe for me to do that at my Catholic college. I’ll mention it at times online when me having SSA may be relevant to the topic because I can still stay anonymous.

I try to be chaste. I’ve never had sex with another person before. However, I often struggle with porn and masturbation when I’m feeling lonely, stressed, or bored.

What’s funny is that the more I bond with other men socially, the less strong my SSA is and the less I struggle with porn and masturbation. For example, my SSA was much weaker during the football season when I played football back in high school (rest of the year I was at home because I was home-schooled). Many people falsely believe the opposite would be true (being close to someone with SSA would tempt them to sin). If other men knew about my SSA, most of them would likely distance themselves from me, which would make me worse off and more tempted to sin.

 

[LCMS_No_More]

yes I know dozens of people who labor under the particular burden of SSA and live chaste lives fully in harmony with Catholic teaching and the universal moral law, and moreover have lives full of love, friendship and service. I know dozens more who cannot for whatever reason express normal heterosexual love in the context of marriage, at least at this time, who also live chaste lives full of love, friendship and service.

Love, friendship and service? Really?

Love from whom? Sure, love from God. When one is feeling alone and depressed, there is little comfort in knowing that God loves one when when there the evidence shows otherwise (i.e., the person feels alone with no one who understands to talk to and give advice back). In the Church SSA people are hated by a large number of people.

Friends? Friends with whom? Since SSA people who are honest about their struggle are treated with a spectrum that goes from distrust, at best, and outright hatred, at worst, by people within the Church, where would one with SSA find good friends? The Church? The distrust and hatred emanates from people in the Church.

Service? What, scrubbing toilets for free in the church basement? Considering the mistrust that people in the Church treat SSA people (after all, all SSA people are child molesters…at least that’s the stereotype), any public ministry is out of the question. What task is low enough for a person who can’t be trusted because, Lord knows, those homosexuals can’t be trusted because of their particularly depraved inclinations.

And wanting to change, like I do…there is no support whatsoever for that. Courage is about living a sexless life, not changing one’s life toward a normal heterosexual life.

Makes one question the purpose of allowing people to develop SSA. Seems like a cruel experiment or a cruel joke.

That’s something I still can’t wrap my mind around.

P.S.: If this post seems to be coming from a person who is hurting, that would be a good guess because I absolutely HATE and DESPISE having SSA and think of it as a cancer in my mind in my heart. If there was a quick way to rid myself of SSA once and for all, I would do it last year. Instead, I’m left with these unwanted feelings, hating myself for them and all the other faults that I believe flow from them. Is there help for me? I doubt it as God seems disinclined to heal people with SSA and leaves them to suffer this completely degrading issue without any hope of change or consolation, only more and more of the same. It truly sucks.

 

[LCMS_No_More]

What’s funny is that the more I bond with other men socially, the less strong my SSA is and the less I struggle with porn and masturbation. For example, my SSA was much weaker during the football season when I played football back in high school (rest of the year I was at home because I was home-schooled). Many people falsely believe the opposite would be true (being close to someone with SSA would tempt them to sin). If other men knew about my SSA, most of them would likely distance themselves from me, which would make me worse off and more tempted to sin.

I have found that good friendships with OSA people of the same sex is helpful. Unfortunately, I don’t know where to go to make friends. I can’t trust people in the Church because I know that if I am honest about my struggle, I will be rejected or placed at arm’s length. Courage is good for those who want to live a single life, but that’s not a a life that attracts me in any respect. Like I said in a previous thread, I absolutely HATE having SSA and would change yesterday if I could.

Unfortunately, it’s a long, hard road and I fear that I will be too old to be “marriage material” when my SSA has abated enough to make me able to be with a woman.

I wonder if God has something against me sometimes.

 

[BobObob]

For everyone reading this, do not hesitate to show affection, even intimate affection, with a guy who has SSA.

I have found that good friendships with OSA people of the same sex is helpful. Unfortunately, I don’t know where to go to make friends. I can’t trust people in the Church because I know that if I am honest about my struggle, I will be rejected or placed at arm’s length.

I know exactly what you mean.

I’m a student at an orthodox Catholic college, and I don’t feel safe to tell people. However, there are a couple men at my college who have told their “households” (social groups on my campus that are like fraternities) about them having SSA. These people had done a lot with and had known the others in theirs households well before doing this. They both indicated that the other guys in their households responded very well, and they were glad they took that risk. However, I don’t think that them opening up would have gone very well if the guys in those households had not known them well before they opened up about their SSA.

Part of the problem for me is that I’m very shy, even to the point of meeting the criteria of avoidant personality disorder (answers.com/topic/avoidant-personality-disorder) IMO.

Courage is good for those who want to live a single life, but that’s not a a life that attracts me in any respect.

Courage encourages chastity, whether married or single. Courage, to my knowledge, does not push for member to be single.

I go to a Courage group near my college. It is really helpful for me because I meet others who are going through many of the struggles that I do, and I can relate to others, face-to-face, that I have SSA, rather than keeping that fact a personal secret that I’m holding in. Overall, I would rate my experience with the Courage group that I go to as very positive. I’m not sure how other chapters are in comparison.

BTW, I cannot say much due to confidentiality, but many people who go to Courage meetings want to get married and have no SSA. These people have seemed to have benefited a lot from Courage.

Overall, I would highly recommend that you check out a Courage group. couragerc.net/WWCStatesA-L.html

Like I said in a previous thread, I absolutely HATE having SSA and would change yesterday if I could.

I’m guessing that you have already done research on the psychology of SSA. I have. I would recommend reading Joseph Nicolosi’s “Reparative Therapy of the Male Homosexual” (amazon.com/Reparative-Therapy-Male-Homosexuality-Clinical/dp/0765701421/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269729195&sr=8-1). I have read most of it, and have so far found a lot of solid information in it regarding myself.

I wonder if God has something against me sometimes.

I hope you don’t mind me saying this and I hope you don’t take this the wrong way. Based off the hurt that I have sensed in reading your messages, I think you could greatly benefit from counseling. God loves you and does not want you to feel such hurt.

It seems that you have felt offended and/or rejected by others not just in the present, but especially in the past. If this is the case for you, I certainly know how you feel. Perhaps counseling may help you forgive others and make you much happier.

DON’T BE DISCOURAGED! I know that you intellectually know that God loves you, but I want you to experience His and others love. If you felt such love you wouldn’t hate yourself and wouldn’t hurt. Even though I have never seen you before, you can be sure that you’re in my prayers.

BTW, I recommend that you watch the movie “Stand By Me” (youtube.com/watch?v=v-pcwt6XpDM). IMO, the close, intimate, friendship that is demonstrated in that movie is the type of friendship that men with SSA really need.

 

[LCMS_No_More]

For everyone reading this, do not hesitate to show affection, even intimate affection, with a guy who has SSA.

I know exactly what you mean.

I’m a student at an orthodox Catholic college, and I don’t feel safe to tell people. However, there are a couple men at my college who have told their “households” (social groups on my campus that are like fraternities) about them having SSA. These people had done a lot with and had known the others in theirs households well before doing this. They both indicated that the other guys in their households responded very well, and they were glad they took that risk. However, I don’t think that them opening up would have gone very well if the guys in those households had not known them well before they opened up about their SSA.

Part of the problem for me is that I’m very shy, even to the point of meeting the criteria of avoidant personality disorder (answers.com/topic/avoidant-personality-disorder) IMO.

I’ve been told that I am shy, but I don’t see it. I’m the guy who will turn around and talk to the people behind me in line at Disneyland or talk to other people as we wait for work on our cars to be finished at Pep Boys.

Seems my problem is in finding places where social groups develop naturally. While I like my co-workers, there is fear of getting too close due to lawsuits and such (I used to work for the agency that enforces anti-sexual harassment in California). As I said, I don’t trust people at church because of the animosity towards people with SSA, so I don’t bother even trying there (I’ve never been into S&M).

Courage encourages chastity, whether married or single. Courage, to my knowledge, does not push for member to be single.

Snipped for brevity<

Overall, I would highly recommend that you check out a Courage group. couragerc.net/WWCStatesA-L.html

We have two groups in my area, one in San Pedro and another in Costa Mesa. I’ve gone to both, but ultimately, it’s not been helpful to me. I am single now and it seems like that’s the only option available to me: a long, sterile, lonely single life with no significance or impact.

I’m guessing that you have already done research on the psychology of SSA. I have. I would recommend reading Joseph Nicolosi’s “Reparative Therapy of the Male Homosexual” (amazon.com/Reparative-Therapy-Male-Homosexuality-Clinical/dp/0765701421/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269729195&sr=8-1). I have read most of it, and have so far found a lot of solid information in it regarding myself.

It’s a very good book. I have a small library of books on SSA. It’s the work necessary to overcome it that is so difficult. There are times when I feel attracted toward women, but sometimes, I get hit upside the head with self-criticism that I can’t easily shake. That’s when the SSA really kicks in (I believe a large part of the underlying cause is self-hatred).

I hope you don’t mind me saying this and I hope you don’t take this the wrong way. Based off the hurt that I have sensed in reading your messages, I think you could greatly benefit from counseling. God loves you and does not want you to feel such hurt.

It seems that you have felt offended and/or rejected by others not just in the present, but especially in the past. If this is the case for you, I certainly know how you feel. Perhaps counseling may help you forgive others and make you much happier.

I agree. If I can only figure out HOW to do the forgiving, I’d do it yesterday. It’s one thing to say, “I forgive you;” it’s another for that forgiveness to reach down to where it can do some good to dislodge the hurt and anger the harm has caused.

DON’T BE DISCOURAGED! I know that you intellectually know that God loves you, but I want you to experience His and others love. If you felt such love you wouldn’t hate yourself and wouldn’t hurt. Even though I have never seen you before, you can be sure that you’re in my prayers.

Yes. I even worked it out mathematically (it’s how I think):

God is infinite, therefore
God’s attributes are infinite.
God is love.
Since God’s attributes are infinite, His love is infinite.
Infinity cannot be divided, therefore
God’s love is infinite for each and every individual.

The problem is internalizing it.

My dad was rather emotionally distant and I perceived him rejecting me sometime when I was a kid. If God is a Father and my own father treated me that way, how can I trust in Someone who presents Himself as Father to really love me? My experience with my dad taught me that love is conditional and I must be absolutely perfect to receive any recognition for my efforts; the slightest flaw would be harshly criticized, destroying any positive feedback. It’s very difficult for me to perceive unconditional love when I’ve never really seen it in action on my behalf personally.

BTW, I recommend that you watch the movie “Stand By Me” (youtube.com/watch?v=v-pcwt6XpDM). IMO, the close, intimate, friendship that is demonstrated in that movie is the type of friendship that men with SSA really need.

Seen it. Wish I could have experienced that kind of friendship as a child. I wonder if it’s possible now as an adult. Unfortunately, most men my age are married with kids and wouldn’t have time for someone like me.

 

[cradlecatholic5]

Jermosh,

Thank you. Learned loving from Jesus. All glory & honor to Him.

God Bless You.