excellent
Johny Alencherry
Homosexual Acts Cannot be Approved or Celebrated by the Church – Here’s Why
By: Msgr. Charles Pope
In recent years, homosexuality has frequently been in the news. An increasingly nationwide effort to make homosexual acts something to celebrate has gained great ground and sowed serious confusion even among those who describe themselves as Christian and Catholic. Hence, it is necessary once again to instruct on this matter and to reassert what Scripture plainly teaches and why the Church cannot affirm what the world demands we affirm.
An essential fact is that the Scriptures are very clear in unambiguously, uncompromisingly declaring homosexual acts as a serious sin and as disordered. “Disordered” here means that they are acts that are not ordered to their proper end or purpose. Sexual acts are, by their very nature, ordered to procreation and to the bonding of the mother and father who will raise the children conceived by their sexual intimacy. These ends or purposes have been intrinsically joined by God, and we are not to separate what what God has joined. In the Old Testament, Scripture describes the sinful and disordered quality of homosexual acts by the use of the word “abomination,” and in the New Testament, St. Paul calls homosexual acts “paraphysin” (contrary to nature).
Attempts by some to reinterpret Scripture to mean something else are fanciful, at best, and use theories that require twisted logic and questionable historical views in an attempt to set aside the very plain meaning of the texts.
Likewise in the wider culture, among those who do not accept Scripture, there has been an increasingly insistent refusal to acknowledge what the design of the human body plainly discloses: that the man is for the woman, and the woman is for the man. The man is not for the man, nor the woman for the woman. This is plainly set forth in the design of our bodies. The outright refusal to see what is plainly visible and literally built into our bodies is not only a sign of intellectual stubbornness and darkness (cf Rom 1:18, 21), but it also leads to significant issues with health, even to deadly diseases.
And we who believe in the definitive nature of scriptural teaching on all aspects of human sexuality are not merely considered out-of-date by many in our culture, but are being increasingly pressured to affirm what we cannot reasonably affirm. Cardinal Francis George recently expressed the current situation in this way:
In recent years, society has brought social and legislative approval to all types of sexual relationships that used to be considered “sinful.” Since the biblical vision of what it means to be human tells us that not every friendship or love can be expressed in sexual relations, the church’s teaching on these issues is now evidence of intolerance for what the civil law upholds and even imposes. What was once a request to live and let live has now become a demand for approval. The “ruling class,” those who shape public opinion in politics, in education, in communications, in entertainment, is using the civil law to impose its own form of morality on everyone. We are told that, even in marriage itself, there is no difference between men and women, although nature and our very bodies clearly evidence that men and women are not interchangeable at will in forming a family. Nevertheless, those who do not conform to the official religion, we are warned, place their citizenship in danger [1].
Whatever pressures many may wish to place on the Church to conform, however they may wish to “shame” us into compliance by labeling us with adjectives such as bigoted, homophobic, or intolerant, we cannot comply with their demands. We must remain faithful to scriptural teaching, to our commitment to natural law, and to Sacred Tradition. We simply cannot affirm things such as fornication and homosexual acts and reject the revelation of the body as it comes from God.
What some call intolerance or “hatred” is, for us who believe, rather, a principled stance wherein we see ourselves as unable to overrule the clear and unambiguous teaching of Holy Scripture. And this teaching exists at every stage of revelation, from the opening pages right through to the final books of Sacred Writ. The Church has no power to override what God has said; we cannot cross out sentences or tear pages from the Scripture. Neither can we simply reverse Sacred Tradition or pretend that the human body, as God has designed it, does not manifest what it clearly does.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church announces this principled stance with eloquence and with an understanding of the difficulties encountered by those with same-sex attraction:
Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.” 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.
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.
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 (CCC 2357-2359).
We can speak no other way. We do not detest those of same sex-attraction, but we as a Church owe them the same truth we have always proclaimed as coming from God, and out of respect we must hold them to the same standards of chastity by which all must live.
There can be no sexual intercourse for any who are not in a valid heterosexual marriage. We cannot give approval for it; we do not have the power to do this, no matter how insistent, forceful, or even punitive the demands that we do so become. This will not change because it cannot change.
Homosexuals are not being singled out in this matter. As we saw in yesterday’s post, fornication (pre-marital sex) is also set forth by scripture and tradition as a very serious mortal sin (cf Eph 5:5- 7; Gal 5:16-21; Rev 21:5-8; Rev. 22:14-16; Mt. 15:19-20; 1 Cor 6:9-20; Col 3:5-6; 1 Thess 4:1-8; 1 Tim 1:8-11; Heb 13:4). It cannot be approved no matter how widespread its acceptance becomes. One standard of sexual norms applies to all people, whatever their orientation.
Sadly those of unalterable same-sex attraction have no recourse to marriage. But all of us bear burdens of one sort or another, and not everyone is able to partake in everything life offers. For the sake of holiness, heroic witness is necessary, and many of those with same-sex attraction do live celibately and give admirable witness to the power of grace.
God must have the final word in this. And so I present to you here some selections from Sacred Scripture that clearly teach against homosexual acts. The witness of Scripture in this regard is very consistent across all the ages of biblical Revelation. From the opening pages of Holy Writ to the final books, homosexual acts, along with fornication and adultery, are unambiguously forbidden and described as gravely sinful. In addition, homosexual acts, because they are contrary to nature and to the revelation of the body and the nature of the sexual act, are often described as acts of depravity or as an “abomination.” Some consider such words unpleasant or hurtful. I understand, but they are the words that Scripture uses. Here is a sample of Scriptural teaching against homosexual acts:
- You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination (Leviticus 18: 22).
- If a man lies with a male as with a female, both of them have committed an abomination (Lev 20:13).
- Likewise, the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah depicts, among other things, the sinfulness of homosexual activity. It is too lengthy to reproduce here in its entirety, but you can read about it in Genesis 19.
- For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them…in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse; they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools…For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a base mind and to improper conduct (Romans 1:18ff).
- Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanders nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6-9).
- The law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, for those who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.(1 Timothy 1: 8-11).
And this is the testimony of Sacred Scripture. To these could be added other passages, along with a long list of quotes from the Fathers and from Sacred Tradition, with Councils and other teaching documents from the earliest days of the Church until today.
To those who like to object that Jesus himself never spoke of homosexual acts, I would give these three responses:
- It was not a disputed matter among the Jews to whom he preached.
- Jesus said to his apostles, “He who hears you hears me.” And therefore Jesus does speak through St. Paul and the other epistle writers.
- The same Holy Spirit that authored the Gospels also authored the Epistles. There are not different authors or levels of authority in Sacred Writ. What St. Paul says is no less authoritative or inspired than what the evangelists recorded.
The teaching of the Church regarding the sinfulness of homosexual acts, fornication, and adultery cannot change, attested to as they are in Sacred Scripture and Tradition. The Church can only offer the truth to all the faithful and to all in this world, along with her promise of God’s mercy to those who seek repentance and who now desire to live chastely. To those who refuse, she continues to give warning and to pray both for conversion and for rescue from the deceptions of the world and the evil one.
Cardinal George summarized well both the reason we cannot approve homosexual acts and the solution of celibacy for those of same-sex attraction: The biblical vision of what it means to be human tells us that not every friendship or love can be expressed in sexual relations [2]. Clear and concise. Thank you, Cardinal George.
For more information and support for those who have same-sex attraction, see here: Courage
11 Responses
- Tim Weidner says:
Frequently today, one hears the call to be dismissive of all Old Testament morality clauses (such as Leviticus 18 & 20 as you cite in your article) because certain aspects of the Law of Moses are disregarded even by Christians today. The common examples I hear are wearing mixed fabrics and eating foods considered unclean by the Law. My understanding in such matters it that Jesus (Mt 5) and the early Church (Acts 10; Acts 15) set aside some aspects of Law of Moses, even while maintaining the core of the Law of Moses — the Ten Commandments — as one of the pillars of the Christian life (and the Catechism of the Catholic Church). My question is this: What rationale can you offer to explain how a person can discern which Old Testament laws still apply and which may be disregarded? In other words, why should we continue to hold to Leviticus 18 & 20, when no Christian follows some of the other morality clauses in the book of Leviticus? Does the wording of each command have to be considered on a case-by-case basis? Did the Law of Moses develop in stages, where the earliest laws still hold, while later laws can be dismissed? Something else?
Thank you for your thoughts. I see this argument VERY often today.
- Msgr. Charles Pope says:
A distinction is required. It is true that some aspects of the Levitical law were set aside by later law or simply fell away. This is not the case however with all things in it to include the areas where it forbids murder acts of theft and so forth. The same is true for its mention of homosexual acts. That Homosexual acts are forbidden in confirmed at every stage of the biblical text and the teaching remains unchanged. Thus, what Leviticus says regarding homosexual acts remains valid because other texts and eras confirm what it says. This is not the case for certain other Levitical text which, for example, require that hair be cut in a certain way of that certain foods are forbidden etc.
- Peter Wolczuk says:
Also, in Judges, Chapters 19-21, where the Israelites opposed Benjamin and, although they were defeated twice, persisted until victory the third time.
Persistance was necessary in spite of hope fading.
In apparent mercy the remains of Benjamin was restored with new, virginal, wives.
Note; got your book and began reading it this morning. - Steve Brown says:
Thanks for a great post! I pray a little prayer everyday that Jesus will look after my priest & all HIS orthodox priests, and that HE may change the hearts and minds of the others. This is all we can do, without hounding our priest every week about this and that while at the door of the parish with others waiting. Now, if he chooses to have a blog, then that would open up a place where we could. I’m sure there are those that will write letters & send their priests blog posts from time to time. Since I have found a solid priest that tries his best to teach us the faith, my letters and copies of blog posts would be praise and make sure you read this guy. But, he already knows this. I could have tried this with my priests at my former parish, but was to chicken to try. One had been ordained for 50 years and the other for 25 years. So, I protested with my feet. It didn’t hurt those priest one bit. My wife went along, but, was not happy because we lost some good friends, but I had to find a parish priest that preached like some of the priests I liked on the internet. Like you. Thanks again, and may GOD continue to Bless you.
- Maria A. says:
Hoping that this article too would help to prick the blindness , esp. of those who as law givers , try to get the whole nation to agree to demeaning lies which are all variations of attacks against The Father and the dignity of fatherhood of men .
Happened to watch presentation of a program on male spirituality , on EWTN , called ‘That Man is you ‘ –
http://www.paradisusdei.org/index.php/programs/tmiy/ – good to see how something started by one persons is growing well, through many parishes .
The book ‘ Freedom through Deliverance ‘ by Fr.Carl Schmidt might be another helpful armour for all who wants to take authority, through holy lives and prayer , away from forces of evil ;
the book briefly mentions the topic of ancestral curses , on how sin of sacriilege , hatred of God etc. can all manifest , in generations , as sin of pride ,contempt for women and controlling ways ( that contempt for women possibly from distaste for life and children which are ancient areas of enemy hatreds ) which can manifest in deceitful ways , such as irresponsible overindulgence , to cover up or make up for the inner gulit and conflicts .
The Lord’s words on warnings against adultery , how even looking at one with lust is sin of adultery , need to be very applicable to this situation as well , since such hidden attitudes can play havoc , by unholy soul ties
with its attendant insidious , built in envy and hatred towards what is meant to have been Godly commitments , towards The Lord and family .‘ Pagans sacrifice to the demons ‘ – words of St.Paul ; if lawful marriage is from awareness and respect for Godly truth of the right and dignity of being in a covenantal relationship , as has been shown us from creation on down , cohabitation and unholy ties can be seen as an indircet invitation to enter in to enemy pacts and relationship – an agent who wants to use and destroy , thus , a form of prostitution .
‘Looking with lust ‘ – one has to wonder if that area , from the vast influence of media , is what spews the flood !
Could the remedy be , efforts to train the mind and heart , to often recite the Hail Mary , in spiritual union with the Holy Father and with all who are occasions of sin or need for deliverance ;
thus , even watching a football game can be an occasion of bringing all , the players , the onlookers , to The Mother and thus to The Lord .
‘ Hail Mary , full of grace ‘ – born from a line of holy parents , conceived without influence of carnal nature , living the awesome joy of The Incarnation , Assumption, grace and strenght to live in His will, trusting in His power and goodness , even in the midst of all trials , and The Lord , pouring in grace , to sustain her and through her , us who are willing to see The Lord magnified through her , even to give sorrow of contrition ,by taking in a bit of the anguish she would have had , to help sinners, to repent ( thus, sparing any , from tendency to nag ! )
The age old wisdom of the family rosary can be recognised as well – saying the 50 Hail Mary’s , to help one to do so , through the day .
Invoking her and thus the Holy Trinity , at every moment of pain , frustration , temptation – may the prayers of all help us to do so and take back the freedom , to live in Godly dignity and truth , of being the children of
The Father , whose holy Face we behold , in The Son ! - Mark says:
Good article.
> There can be no sexual intercourse for any who are not in a valid heterosexual marriage.
Does anyone consider it confusing that the Pope recently married a number of couples who have been cohabitating for years? It seems like it could create confusion. I have coworkers who have been living with their girlfriends for many years and I used to try to suggest it wasn’t the best way to go about it. But when our own dear Pope is there blessing and marrying them.. ? The whole world says there is nothing wrong with it, and if the Supreme Pontiff is marrying them..
- Msgr. Charles Pope says:
Re the Pope we discussed this yesterday on the blog see those comments. God bless you
- kelly o'neill says:
Here’s a great documentary on this topic. Have you seen it?
- Steve says:
I want to know why so many priest in the Washington diocese do not speak about sin, their homilies are a long winded list of platitudes. People are lost, they now are living the worst kind of Atheism, “there is a God and he thinks just like me”. The Bishops do not speak out clarifying the need to instruct the faithful, so the ordinary pew sitter keeps on believing what he wants. Parishioners are not challenged its more of I’m ok your ok. The only time you here from the Cardinal is when he is looking for donations for his appeal. I recently heard a priest say jokingly that he thanked God that he gave him a parish that did not sin because no one goes to confession. I later told him kindly the real reason no one goes to confession is because sin is no longer preached from the pulpit. To this day I still have not heard any instruction from the pulpit about what is sin. Does the Cardinal send out a memo to all the priest warning them to never prick the conscience of the parishioners because it might injure their psyche. For the doctor to heal the patient he must first diagnose the symptom, if the patient doesn’t even know he has a disease, how can the doctor heal him!
- Msgr. Charles Pope says:
No the Cardinal sends no memo. The issue you describe is a human problem. Priests don’t like conflict any more than anyone else. I do not say this is an excuse, just an explanation. As for those who do speak out they are often treated poorly by angry parishioners and suffer letters etc being sent in. Therefore I would say the best you can do is to encourage your priest when he does speak, make sure he doesn’t feel alone in the battle.
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