State Department Chides Cardinal Over Gay Slurs Against US Ambassador

Fox News ^ | 12/22/15 | Barnini Chakraborty

[MDLION]

I’m actually caught in the middle on this one. The Catechism of the Catholic Church number 2358 states in part about the person of the homosexual orientation: “They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.”

I think a better translation of “accepted” would be “treated”. “accepted” connotes a kind of or almost acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle. But I’ve always interpreted the section of the Catechism I quoted as meaning we shouldn’t call people of the homosexual orientation names (”faggot” “sodomite”). The Truth can be defended without the sins of uncharitableness or name calling.

But on the other hand, this Cardinal has a militancy, a willingness to engage the enemy, a backbone that is sorely missing among much of the episcopate.

By calling the homosexual person a name (”faggot” “sodomite”), do we close or harden his or her heart against Graces of repentance and conversion the Spirit is constantly offering them? On the other hand, if we treat them in a respectful way by not calling them names, without denying the disordered, objectively grave sinfulness of their acts, do we help open them to Graces of repentance and conversion? To the homosexual person we need to display “compassion” but not false compassion.

“This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:35