Abbey-Roads2

Gay People

Not all people with Same Sex Attraction tendencies, are “gay”.  Surprised?  Gay is really a political term, or more properly, a term used by persons with SSA that denotes they are active homosexuals.  At least, that is how Fr. Harvey OSFS understands the terminology.  Same Sex Attraction is actually homosexuality, yet there is a difference between homosexual activity and homosexual inclination.

“The term “homosexuality” is frequently used as if its meaning and connotations were self-evident.  In fact, such is not the case…the term may apply either to a homosexual attraction or to homosexual conduct.

…homosexuality cannot be treated as the manifestation of a consciously chosen depravity.  Homosexual persons cannot, merely because they are homosexual, be visited with harassment and contempt.  The lynch gang approach cannot be justified.” - Pastoral Letter on Homosexuality, Archbishop John R. Quinn, 1980

What I’m really getting at…

I decided to post this after a previous post on the term “queer” while connecting it to the Rainbow Sash movement;  the Rainbow Sash movement may stage protests in major churches throughout the U.S. on Pentecost Sunday this weekend.  (From what I understand, the plans are in place, Diogenes has a post on this.)  I apologize to those with SSA whom I may have offended by the post.

I get comments on my posts, but sometimes I receive more emails in response as well.  Some people were offended by the tone of a couple of the comments on yesterday’s posts.  One fellow wrote:

“I wasn’t offended by your post.  I’m saddened by all the anti-gay epithets that people tend to hurl around.  I really question if these people actually know anyone gay, or “SSA” - as i like to say. 

I agree w/you that the rainbow sash thing is stupid.  Maybe I have more sympathy for them because I’m the kind of person who’ll march in a parade for social justice if I feel my rights are being trampled.  But they’re wrong.  Just don’t tell them that … you’re likely to get pie in the face.

People are afraid of what they don’t understand and this is why I’m a big proponent of *Courage* being more vocal and not so anonymous.  If we, as magisterium-following SSA-Catholics, “came out of the closet” so to speak, about our struggles and let the average Catholic in the pew know that they do, in fact, know someone w/this struggle, then attitudes about this struggle will change.  I think well-meaning, good-intentioned hetero Catholics would stop this “us vs. them” mentality and start being more compassionate towards their suffering brethren. 

I, for one, will not stop speaking out about this.  Label me what you will.” - An email from a member of Courage. 

Another man, in an earlier email stated this:

“Self-hatred is often taught to one in childhood, and it is easy to fall back into that self-hatred unless we continue to affirm and be affirmed as good. Yes, most bloggers are so anti-gay that they only add to the hatred and hysteria.”  - Email

Although I disagree with the latter’s position that SSA relationships, wherein there is sexual expression, can be good,  (he revealed that in the body of his email) I much appreciate his appeal for understanding at his personal level.

My point in relating all of these matters is that I’m convinced, as Catholics, we offend against charity in our mocking, sneering, tone regarding persons with SSA.  We condemn the person and not just the sin.   In doing so we can fail to recognize their human dignity as persons.

The gay agenda.

Most of us feel (not without reason) Rainbow Sash people are foisting an assault upon the Church when they present at Mass and for Holy Communion wearing the rainbow sash in protest of Church teaching.  Nevertheless, it is up to the local Bishop to set the norms for what is to be done in such a situation.  Our Archbishop has determined that these people may not receive the Eucharist, hence it is the minister, the priest, who will withhold the Blessed Sacrament from them, imparting a blessing instead.  In this, the priest compassionately transmits the teaching of the Church.

“It is the place of the Church and her ministers to speak the whole moral teaching of the Gospel with clarity…when homosexual(s) claim their way of life is a morally healthy one, (and) insist on their intention to affirm and promote it publicly and ask that it be in some way approved by the Church, they are clearly in contempt of the Christian conscience and in conflict with the teaching of the Scriptures.”  - Pastoral Letter on Homosexuality

“It is mercy I desire.”

Our invective, derogatory remarks, or threats of counter-brute-force, simply enflames the situation more, causing greater contempt for the Church by Her declared enemies.  No matter how repelled nature is by the sin of homosexual behavior, we as Catholic Christians must exhibit the mercy and love of Jesus for the sinner, while defending the faith of the Church. 

At the conclusion of his pastoral letter, which is considered a classic in the literature concerning the Church’s position on homosexuality, Archbishop Quinn wrote:

“Homosexual behavior cannot be viewed as an acceptable form of behavior - morally or socially.  At the same time persons who are homosexual must be treated with respect as human persons and they have a right to sound pastoral care.”

Finally, the Archbishop concludes with:

“Take to heart, then, the Word of God which tells us, ‘Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind.  In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ…’” - Pastoral Letter on Homosexuality

Perhaps, in 1980, the Archbishop wrote that last exhortation for homosexual persons in defiance of Church teaching; yet maybe today, we ought to accept it as addressed to ourselves, as good counsel in how we should respond, rather than react, against whatever we determine to be the “gay agenda”. 

In closing, another email stated:

“Reading Catholic blogs, and in my experience, Catholics do not discriminate between men and women with SSA - those who generously try to live chastely, accepting the teachings of the Church, from those who openly espouse the lifestyle.  Gays are gays.  Anyone with SSA seems to be fair game for contempt and alienation, in other words, ’you are damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.’  I’m not really complaining, since I accept it as penance for my sins, but it repels others who may be seeking the truth, and feel intimidated by the rhetoric.”  - Email