Catechism, Crisis and Clarification in the Catholic Church
Fr. Dale Matson
I recently offered a comment on an article on the First
Things blog. https://www.firstthings.com/
. The article can be found here.
I stated in the comments that it
was my belief that not all homosexuals were born that way. “I believe many do
in fact chose to be homosexual. The "Born that way" mantra is not
always true. I believe in many cases it is circumstantial. What about all the
women who were abused by relatives as children and because of deep emotional
bruising and mistrust of men, some find the affections of another woman more
trustworthy?”
A man who identified himself as a
homosexual (ES) challenged me quoting directly from the Catechism that “They do
not choose their homosexual condition”. Later on, in our discussion he
commented to me that he had quoted the 1992 Catechism but the 1997 Catechism
had changed the language. I think the change was very important. In 1997 The
statement, “They do not choose their homosexual condition” was removed (2357), and
“This inclination, which is objectively disordered” was added (2358). I
think we both profited from this discussion.
1992 (First Edition of the Catechism)
II. The Vocation to Chastity
Chastity and homosexuality
2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or
between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction
toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through
the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains
largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents
homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,140 tradition has always declared
that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."141 They are
contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life.
They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under
no circumstances can they be approved.
2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated
homosexual tendencies is not negligible. They
do not choose their homosexual condition; for most of them it is a trial.
They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of
unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are
called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to
unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter
from their condition.
2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the
virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support
of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and
should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.
1997 (Second Edition of the Catechism)
II. The Vocation To Chastity
Chastity and homosexuality
2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or
between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction
toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through
the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains
largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents
homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,140 tradition has always declared
that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."141 They are
contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life.
They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under
no circumstances can they be approved.
2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated
homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This
inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them
a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every
sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons
are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to
unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter
from their condition.
2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the
virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support
of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and
should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.
The Roman Catholic Church considers the Catechism to be universal
in its application and a summary of Doctrine. http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church/frequently-asked-questions-about-the-catechism-of-the-catholic-church.cfm
I believe it is important for both lay and clergy to
understand what the Roman Catholic Church states in Her doctrine. Those changes
were made during the time Cardinal Ratzinger was Prelate of the Doctrine of The
Faith. As an Anglican who is a part of the One Holy Apostolic Church, I pray
that the Roman Catholic Church would renew Herself as God leads Her through the current crisis.
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