What is the vocation of same-sex-attracted Catholics?

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Anesti33 said:
That’s not true, it’s simply that your tone has been hysterical and bitter and you really seem to personalize this, as if the Church is out to get you and yours by barring people who are unfit for a vocation.
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My tone has been that of calling out what I see. Accusations of hysterics is just a way of dismissing it.
 
SerraSemper said:
That isn’t the tenor, though, of the OP’s question. It is clear they are talking about “deep seated”, etc. Otherwise, they would not be concerned about those with SSA not “having a place” or a “vocation”.
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When formulating the question I had no intention in mind of “deep seated” or not.
 
We are all called to holiness and all of us will be given our own tailored crosses to bear. A vocation is simply a pathway that makes it easier for the person who is authentically called to it to live in ever deepening charity. All of us are excluded from at least one vocation and not all of us would benefit from any other than the general one to holiness.
 
catholiclala said:
what is the vocation for the same-sex-attracted who are not supposed to marry but are also not supposed to be welcomed into religious life? I’m a straight single woman and it’s confusing enough for me as I don’t feel called to religious life and at this point am content if I never marry. Thinking of my own vocation less state made me think about our same-sex-attracted brothers and sisters.
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This is why I assumed you were talking about deep seated tendencies. Otherwise why wouldn’t they “not supposed to marry or be welcomed into religious life”? Only people who have deep seated tendencies would be barred…

With respect to your other question, no, we are not obliged to become a religious or get married.
 
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SerraSemper said:
We are all called to holiness and all of us will be given our own tailored crosses to bear. A vocation is simply a pathway that makes it easier for the person who is authentically called to it to live in ever deepening charity. All of us are excluded from at least one vocation and not all of us would benefit from any other than the general one to holiness.
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In other words, go to Courage…
 
I have no idea how good Courage is or isn’t. What I do know is that we gravely neglect talking about deepening our relationship with God with serious prayer and talking about the need for people to be the salt of the earth.
 
SerraSemper said:
This is why I assumed you were talking about deep seated tendencies. Otherwise why wouldn’t they “not supposed to marry or be welcomed into religious life”? Only people who have deep seated tendencies would be barred…

With respect to your other question, no, we are not obliged to become a religious or get married.
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You assume a lot.
 
Thats the answer gay people most often receive, my friend. “Go to Courage.” “Have you heard of Courage?” “You should check out Courage.” It’s like the Church’s solution to all things SSA.
 
You painted individuals as not being able to marry or join religious life. So either you were thinking that people with SSA as a group cannot do so, or you were thinking of those with SSA who can’t marry or join religious life. If you were seeking confirmation or affirmation in your assertion that ALL people with SSA cannot marry or join religious life, that wasn’t clear. If you thinking only of those with SSA who have “deep seated tendencies”, then the question would be about what CAN they do if those paths aren’t open. I assumed the latter question, which like I said, is reasonable given the context of you immediately launching into what can I (you) do as a straight person not interested in the vocations of marriage/religious life.
 
StudentMI said:
Thats the answer gay people most often receive, my friend. “Go to Courage.” “Have you heard of Courage?” “You should check out Courage.” It’s like the Church’s solution to all things SSA.
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People love a neat and tidy solution to other people’s problems if it means they don’t have to deal with it.
 
I guess they think they’re being enCouraging.
 
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catholiclala said:
People love a neat and tidy solution to other people’s problems if it means they don’t have to deal with it.
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That’s how it comes across, to be honest.

My experience with Courage? A big, resounding, ‘meh.’ I met a friend there, probably the most traditionalist Catholic I personally know, who is scathing in his criticism of the program.

There was a guy on here who used to post who related his own experience which was likewise underwhelming. He said most of it boiled down to sharing how attractive the barista making your coffee was, which I’ve never forgotten.
 
SerraSemper said:
You painted individuals as not being able to marry or join religious life. So either you were thinking that people with SSA as a group cannot do so, or you were thinking of those with SSA who can’t marry or join religious life. If you were seeking confirmation or affirmation in your assertion that ALL people with SSA cannot marry or join religious life, that wasn’t clear. If you thinking only of those with SSA who have “deep seated tendencies”, then the question would be about what CAN they do if those paths aren’t open. I assumed the latter question, which like I said, is reasonable given the context of you immediately launching into what can I (you) do as a straight person not interested in the vocations of marriage/religious life.
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I didn’t think in terms of “deep seated” or not. Reading about it because of what has been posted brought it to my attention that there is a distinction made by the Church (although vague by definition solely based on what I’ve read) so I had no prior point of reference to frame the question with any distinction. So, I guess by default I meant all, because it just wasn’t on my radar to make a distinction. I don’t think, oh a little, gay, deeply gay, somewhat gay, passively gay.
 
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StudentMI said:
My experience with Courage? A big, resounding, ‘meh.’ I met a friend there, probably the most traditionalist Catholic I personally know, who is scathing in his criticism of the program.

There was a guy on here who used to post who related his own experience which was likewise underwhelming. He said most of it boiled down to sharing how attractive the barista making your coffee was, which I’ve never forgotten.
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I have to go, but the question I would have is what exactly would you want out of a program that outreaches to people with SSA? What would be the objectives? How would it be helpful? Etc.
 
StudentMI said:
That’s how it comes across, to be honest.

My experience with Courage? A big, resounding, ‘meh.’ I met a friend there, probably the most traditionalist Catholic I personally know, who is scathing in his criticism of the program.

There was a guy on here who used to post who related his own experience which was likewise underwhelming. He said most of it boiled down to sharing how attractive the barista making your coffee was, which I’ve never forgotten.
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I can’t even. My only closest point of reference is the dumb things people tell me as a Black woman about racism. People who have experienced zero “otherness” of any kind. I had to check someone just today. Well meaning man, but ignorant.
 
catholiclala said:
I can’t even. My only closest point of reference is the dumb things people tell me as a Black woman about racism. People who have experienced zero “otherness” of any kind. I had to check someone just today. Well meaning man, but ignorant.
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Oh man, or even some things some men say to me about being a woman. Eeek.
 
SerraSemper said:
I have to go, but the question I would have is what exactly would you want out of a program that outreaches to people with SSA? What would be the objectives? How would it be helpful? Etc.
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To actually reach out to people with SSA. Courage is like a dark secret that has to be kept completely private and must never be spoken of. When it is spoken of there is an underlying notion that those in it are ‘sick’.

Speaking of, drop the 12 step nonsense. Homosexuality is not an addiction. If you’re a sex addict go to Sexaholics Anonymous.

Create a real community. Unfortunately it seems like the community aspect is suspect because you don’t want gay people becoming ‘too close.’
 
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