Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 262.  Mon  3-09-92 23:00  (NO KILL)  (MAILED)
    From: Sysop Cin 
 To: Denise Dewitt
 Subject: Church Teaching/ Homosexuality

+-
| I READ A MESSAGE EARLIER IN THE YEAR THAT REFERRED TO HOMOSEXUAL
| TENDENCIES. IN YOUR REPLY, YOU QUOTED FROM A BOOK ABOUT CHRIST'S
| TEACHINGS ON THE SUBJECT OF HOMOSEXUALITY. THE REPLY WAS EXCELLENT; IT
| STATED THAT THOSE WHO HAVE SUCH TENDENCIES SHOULD NOT BE DISCRIMINATED
| AGAINST. I HAD PRINTED OUT YOUR REPLY FOR MYSELF, BUT LATELY I CANNOT
| FIND MY COPY. I TRIED TO RELOCATE THE MESSAGE BUT APPARENTLY IT HAS
| SINCE BEEN DELETED (MSG#10?). WOULD YOU PLEASE REPEAT YOUR ANSWER ON THIS
| SUBJECT FOR ME? THANK YOU.
+-[DD=>FM]
 
Sysop Note.
 
Here is the original answer:
 
 
Father Hardon in his "Teaching of Christ", 3rd edition, writes:
"The Church, basing her teaching on Scripture, has constantly taught
that homosexual ACTS are objectively always gravely wrong.  A
homosexual ORIENTATION or TENDENCY . . . is not in itself a moral
fault.  It is, however, a reality which interferes with the complete
human fulfilment of those who experience it."
 
"Those who have a homosexual orientation have as much personal dignity
as others do.  They are not to be mistreated or subjected to
discrimination on that account."
 
"Homosexuals have a duty to maintain self-possession and to abstain
from objectively wrong behavior, as all who suffer inclinations to
wrong conduct must.  But in their efforts they deserve pastoral care
and the support of the Christian community."
 
Your correspondent wants a way to deal with homosexuality that does not
involve license or damnation.  That middle way is conversion,
repentance and embracing the life giving doctrine, sacraments, and
person of Jesus Christ.  He alone is the way, the truth, and the life.
Only in His name can anyone be saved.
 
This requires personal prayer and generous willingness to correct
personal faults and sinful behavior.  This requirement falls upon all
of us.  But St. Paul, preaching to his Corinthians, confesses: "I
resolved to know nothing among you except Jesus, and Him crucified."
No one is excused from taking of his own cross every day, if he wants
to follow Jesus.
 
One may say, "But I don't want to follow Jesus."  Very well - but then
why be "against the Church"?  Simply ignore the Church.  But attack
comes from those who know somehow they SHOULD follow Jesus - - only
they would like to do so on their own terms, and the Church is a living
reminder that we follow Jesus on His terms or not at all.