Ask Father Mateo
Msg Base: AREA 5 - ASK FATHER CIN ECHO AMDG
Msg No: 156. Wed 10-16-91 18:01 (NO KILL) (RECV'D) (MAILED)
From: Father Mateo
To: Maryanne Lawless
Subject: Homosexuality
+-
| Dear Father Mateo,
|
| I have coped this message into the ASK FATHER conference because I
| think it represents many of our users concerns about how they should
| respond to some of the presures of today.
|
| Any comment would be greatly appreciated:
|
| God bless,
|
| Maryanne
|
|
| This msg of 3rd October 1991 was :
|
| from: Martin Fontenot
| to: Sue Widemark
| area: ETHICS E00/505
|
| (0xb1) I have this problem of late. There are some gays that wish me to take
a
| (0xb1) stand with them against the Church. I know the church teachings and
| (0xb1) agree with them, but the gays believe that any prohibition of sexuali
ty
| (0xb1) is a crime. The group I am talking about is rather vocal now days b
uyt
| (0xb1) is not the one doing the desecrations. Why are they asking me, a
| (0xb1) straight, first of all? They think I'm some sort of Daniel Berrigan.
| (0xb1) But my real p0roblem is that these people live in a fantasy world. Th
ey
| (0xb1) think that the choice they have made to live in a homosexual relationsh
ip
| (0xb1) will only be valid when they are some sort of Ozzie and Harriet. They
| (0xb1) are not coming to grips with their own sexuality.
| (0xb1) I think the time has come to find some way to deal with homosexuality t
hat
| (0xb1) does not involve license or damnation. I cannot say that I have seen
| (0xb1) Homosexuality as a very lifegiving lifestyle as it stands, though I vi
ew
| (0xb1) it from outside. Pleasure giving for some, but that is not necessari
ly
| (0xb1) life giving.
| (0xb1) The issues get more complex each time I view them.
| (0xb1) Is there anyone out there with a level head who can say that there is s
ome
| (0xb1) solution in our society?
| (0xb1)
| (0xb1) Route: 1/23f1 22/5f8 23/0
| (0xb1) .ORIGIN: 001/023 - (0xb1)(0xb2)(0xdb) HOUSTON+CATHOLIC (0xdb)(0xb2)(0x
b1) - 713 530-5300 -
| (0xb1) If you want peace, work for justice.
|
| ##MMR 2.38(beta).
+-[ML=>FM]
Dear Maryanne,
Father Hardon in his "Teaching of Christ", 3rd edition, writes:
"The Church, basing her teaching on Scripture, has constantly taught
that homosexual ACTS are objectively always gravely wrong. A
homosexual ORIENTATION or TENDENCY . . . is not in itself a moral
fault. It is, however, a reality which interferes with the complete
human fulfilment of those who experience it."
"Those who have a homosexual orientation have as much personal dignity
as others do. They are not to be mistreated or subjected to
discrimination on that account."
"Homosexuals have a duty to maintain self-possession and to abstain
from objectively wrong behavior, as all who suffer inclinations to
wrong conduct must. But in their efforts they deserve pastoral care
and the support of the Christian community."
Your correspondent wants a way to deal with homosexuality that does not
involve license or damnation. That middle way is conversion,
repentance and embracing the life giving doctrine, sacraments, and
person of Jesus Christ. He alone is the way, the truth, and the life.
Only in His name can anyone be saved.
This requires personal prayer and generous willingness to correct
personal faults and sinful behavior. This requirement falls upon all
of us. But St. Paul, preaching to his Corinthians, confesses: "I
resolved to know nothing among you except Jesus, and Him crucified."
No one is excused from taking of his own cross every day, if he wants
to follow Jesus.
One may say, "But I don't want to follow Jesus." Very well - but then
why be "against the Church"? Simply ignore the Church. But attack
comes from those who know somehow they SHOULD follow Jesus - - only
they would like to do so on their own terms, and the Church is a living
reminder that we follow Jesus on His terms or not at all.
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Mateo