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S i d e b a r
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ON HOMOSEXUALITY
By David C. Morrison
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This Rock
Volume 5, Number 7/8
 July/August 1994 
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2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between
men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual
attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety
of forms throughout the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological
genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on sacred Scripture,
which present homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity [Gen. 19:1-29,
Rom. 1:24-27, 1 Cor. 6:10, 1Tim. 1:10], tradition has always declared
that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered [Persona
Humana 8]. They are contrary to the natural law. They close the
sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine
affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they
be approved.
2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated
homosexual tendencies is not negligible. They do not choose their
homosexual condition; for most of them it is a trial. They must be
accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of
unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons
are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians,
to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they
may encounter from their condition.
2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity.
By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times
by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental
grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian
perfection.
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