Replies

50. Homosexuals have gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community: are we capable of welcoming these people, guaranteeing to them a fraternal space in our communities? Often they wish to encounter a Church that offers them a welcoming home. Are our communities capable of providing that, accepting and valuing their sexual orientation, without compromising Catholic doctrine on the family and matrimony?

51. The question of homosexuality leads to a serious reflection on how to elaborate realistic paths of affective growth and human and evangelical maturity integrating the sexual dimension: it appears therefore as an important educative challenge. The Church furthermore affirms that unions between people of the same sex cannot be considered on the same footing as matrimony between man and woman. Nor is it acceptable that pressure be brought to bear on pastors or that international bodies make financial aid dependent on the introduction of regulations inspired by gender ideology.

52. Without denying the moral problems connected to homosexual unions it has to be noted that there are cases in which mutual aid to the point of sacrifice constitutes a precious support in the life of the partners. Furthermore, the Church pays special attention to the children who live with couples of the same sex, emphasizing that the needs and rights of the little ones must always be given priority.

51) does say that the homosexual relationship is not on the same level as marriage, but 52) seems to give the homosexual couple the right to adopt, have children by artificial means, etc. Of course I’m glad they singled out the innocent children of these relationships as having rights that must be met. But it doesn’t mention that is is wrong to bring children into this type of union in the first place. Doesn’t a child have a fundamental right to a mother and a father? The Church doesn’t seem to be addressing this issue and the homosexuals will not see anything wrong with bringing children into their union. This union mentioned in 51) is not a marriage, but no criticism is given by the Church of homosexuals who treat it as a marriage and bring children into the unit. I agree that we have to worry about the children already in this type of union, but if they want to join the Church, you would think the homosexuals would need to follow Church teachings on marriage and become celebrate.