It's actually the same as anybody who has a personal tendency that would lead them into a particular sinful behavior, but knows the difference between right and wrong and so abstains from it.
My only problem is the label "celibate homosexual". It means the person is STILL identifying themself with the sinful behavior, which makes no sense morally to me.
That would be a man who's attracted to other men, but who obstains from all sexual relations. A celibate heterosexual would be a man who's attracted to women (or the converse) and who obstains from sex. That's my question here: Does the edict concern homosexual action, in which case I would say it has merit, or orientation, in which case I would say it does not. For starters, in the absence of action, how could you possibly prove anyone's orientation?
If a person has sexual desires towards members of their own sex, but never acts on these desires, they are a celibate homosexual. It appears that some celibate homosexuals do not regard themselves as gay, but they are kidding themselves.
A celibate homosexual is a gay man who has decided not to have sex and lives up to his decision. Same as a heterosexual celibate....who may love and desire women but gives up sex for the Faith.
Do you think priests are born celebates? Hardly. It's a sacrifice and often a huge struggle.
My dad has a friend who is gay and some time ago went into the seminary, but only to drop out later. (Dad used to work for a seiminary, that is how he got to know him) The man is celibate. He has no partners, nothing. He is a very gentle, thoughtful man, who loves the Lord a great deal. My dad thinks the man is a saint.
I caution people here to be careful because there could be many struggling homosexuals who consider joining the church and get turned off by hateful remarks. Remember, Christ loves them as much as He loves you and I.
One quick story about my dad. There was an alumnae celebration at the seminary, (my dad was in charge of it) and a man called and asked if he could come. Dad was very perplexed... "of course you can come". The man replied, "well I'm gay". My dad said he could still come.
Later he found out, the man repented on his death bed and rec'd the last rites.... (the man had confided to a friend which later got back to dad, that he repented because of my father's kindness and witness to the catholic faith.
Just for the record, I'm not advocating homosexuality, I'm just saying that Christ commanded us to love our neighbors, even when they are in error. Our love for them is the greatest way to preach the gospel of Christ.
Why do I have a feeling I'm going to receive hate mail!