2. The medical and social risks present in the active ‘gay’ lifestyle.
Some social commentators give the impression that the only harm faced by same-sex attracted youth in schools is societal oppression (that is, mistreatment and misunderstanding from peers and others). As realistic as these concerns may be, these same social commentators give little if any consideration to the view that unwanted homosexual attractions and unhappiness with the ‘gay’ lifestyle (a claim of many ‘ex-gays’) is a potential for harm. The psychological harm includes serious clinical depression, suicide attempts, and addictions including drugs and alcohol. As to physical harm to health, youth who engage in the ‘gay’ lifestyle are at risk for HIV, anal cancer, herpes simplex virus, human papilloma virus (HPV), gonorrhea, syphilis, genital warts, Chlamydia trachomatis, Hepatitis A, B & C, and a host of other infectious diseases, some of which are not presently curable (see HH, p. 10).
PG speaks of the importance of faithfulness to our tradition as we strive to build “school communities which are more Catholic in the fullest sense of the word” (Bishop Durocher). That is why I suggest the following:
One thinks immediately of Courage, a group for men and women with unwanted same-sex attraction, started by Father John Harvey of New York. Courage encourages prayer, the sacraments, and fellowship as means of support. Do not forget Encourage, a faithful Catholic support group for parents who have children with SSA, and PFOX (Parents & Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays). These groups have philosophical, theological and moral differences with ‘pro-gay’ groups like PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Gays and Lesbians) and GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance). The latter are not recommended.
Though difficult to find, there are also good Catholic and Christian psychologists and psychotherapists who can be of help. Also recommended is the website of NARTH (National Association for the Research and Therapy of Homosexuals, at www.narth.com). This is a group of professionals who give various helps to those who are unhappy with their SSA. And the CMA position paper Homosexuality and Hope should be consulted. (The CMA specifically recommends this paper as a reference and educational tool for parents and educators.)
4. Critically and consistently evaluate information and statistics that are references from “pro-gay” sources
While stories about ‘gay’ people appear daily in media reports, many statistics given are unquestioned by those same media, as if to say that the end (‘gay rights’) justifies the means (dubious, unproven or false statistics, confusing terminology, etc.). With this in mind, and to go along with the competent theological presentation in PG, I would like to clarify certain terms used in common by both bishops and popular culture, but with very different understandings. For example, ambiguous terms like “homophobia” and homosexual “orientation” need to be explained. When PG uses the term “homophobia,” it is in the context of condemning aggression and unjust discrimination toward individuals with SSA. Conversely, “homophobia” in the ‘gay’ community describes anyone who disagrees that homosexuality is a healthy and normative lifestyle.
Again, when PG uses the term “same-sex orientation,” they simply mean the SSA desires of an individual, and to what degree. On the other hand, ‘gay’ activists use the term “orientation” to impress upon the public that homosexuality is unchangeable.
The approach of PG is to charitably help students through difficult and confused periods of their lives. This is why Arbour and Blackburn (and many homosexual activists) cause confusion when they call SSA students “our gay brothers and lesbian sisters,” and go so far as to create and identify those who suffer from SSA as “sexual minorities.” They do this despite the reality that homosexuality as a biological trait (like skin and eye colour) has never been accepted in current scientific evidence.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church uses the terms “predominant” and “exclusive” but never “irreversible” with respect to same-sex attraction. Arbour and Blackburn, on the other hand, imply this irreversible sense and more when they tell educators that “more attention needs to be paid to the crucial moments of identity formation” in (‘gay’) students who are most at-risk in “the movement from self-awareness to self-acceptance.” PG poses a challenge to ‘pro-gay’ biased thinking in saying that encouraging an affected youth away from homosexual ideology and practice should not be classified as “homophobia” (OCCB Letter to All Involved in Catholic Education, Mar. 31, 2003, reprinted in PG, p.25).
Arbour and Blackburn express concern for ‘gay’ students who are bullied and harassed in schools. But the PG is clear to point out that all bullying and unjust discrimination need to be eliminated from Catholic schools. Homosexual activists and sympathizers promote the view that SSA students are subject to school bullying and abuse more than others. This is politically motivated. For example, Arbour and Blackburn promote an agenda of ‘gay’ friendly schools when they accept as gospel that “verbal taunts and abuse of these ‘gay and lesbian kids’ have led to a suicide rate higher among them than for their peers.” This is contradicted by an extensive December 2003 study published by the British Journal of Psychiatry, which acknowledged high levels of bullying and harassment in schools, but it noted that it was reported no more often by students with SSA than other students.
Conclusion
The bishops of Ontario are to be congratulated for addressing the important issue of students who suffer from same-sex attraction. The Church welcomes experts in the field who can provide a wealth of information to help Catholic students with SSA, and those who misunderstand and abuse them.
Parents and professional educators need guidelines that are consistent with the teaching and pastoral experience of the Church. Educators need to pay special attention to the bishops and the CMA, who are eminently qualified to speak about the true nature of homosexuality. Furthermore, they should ignore ideologically driven perspectives of Arbour and Blackburn and those like them. Young impressionable minds depend on true guidance, information and hope; it may even save their lives.
Kudos to the Canadian bishops!
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Is it the south of the border news distortion field, or has the Candian Catholic church seen a bit of an awakening and started to carry the standard for traditional values in a more public way following Ottawa's declaration on gay marriage?
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I'm glad both Canadian and US bishops are getting on board with Courage and its effort to support those with this condition to live chaste lives.
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