I am concerned and alarmed at recent public statements made by a Catholic priest on the granting of rights to the LGBT (Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender) community during the public consultation on the draft constitutional reform held on February 10, 2014 at UWI Spec. The Archbishop's response was prompt, however, not clear enough. Are Catholics in support of the LGBT rights? What is the official position of the Catholic Church on this matter?
The word of God is very clear. The Jerusalem Bible states in the book of Leviticus 18:22 "You must not lie with a man as with a woman. This is a hateful thing". 1 Corinthians 6:9 says "You know perfectly well that people who do wrong will not inherit the kingdom of God: people of immoral lives... sodomites". There are many other scriptures that strongly denounce any homosexual act as immoral, wrong and tell of the eternal penalties of such behaviours. As a result the Catholic stance must also denounce these practices. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), which serves as a comprehensive guideline for Catholics, clearly deplores the homosexual act. Article 2357 says "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."
Article 2357 is very clear. Homosexual acts cannot bear fruit, in this case children. The homosexual act is not complementary. The last line in Article 2357 encapsulates the Catholic position on homosexuality which is, under no circumstances, can the act be approved. Thus to decriminalise homosexuality is an effort to undermine the natural procreative nature of man. Article 2358 of the CCC speaks about those with homosexual tendencies. It says that they should be respected and compassion shown to them. They must not be discriminated against. This is perfectly logical as they are people and God loves the person, not the sin or behaviour. They should not be denied employment, housing, or basic needs. But not the right to continue in their inordinate/disordered behaviour. Further, Article 2359 of the CCC calls for homosexuals to be chaste.
This contradicts Fr Geofroy's assertion that people be allowed to love whom they want–an assertion that facilitates the acceptance of sexual relations within the LGBT community; clearly an anti-Catholic stance.So Catholics must be totally aware of what the church teaches and must be resolute in standing up for righteousness. Catholics cannot agree, encourage or support the legislation of LGBT rights, the repeal of sodomy/buggery laws and the legalisation of gay marriages.This Catholic says no to LGBT rights in our constitution.
Defending the faith,
Catholic Convert