Cardinal Felipe Arizmendi, Bishop Emeritus of San Cristóbal de Las Casas and head of the Doctrine of the Faith at the Mexican Episcopal Conference (CEM), offers Exaudi readers his weekly article.

FACTS

I was struck by the large number of people who participated in gay pride marches in many places around the world. Hundreds and thousands! Many were fighting for respect; others were taking advantage of the occasion to display their postures and movements of every persuasion. They have the right to demand respect, and our Church has defended the right to even give them a personal blessing, to petition God for His blessing, as we bless so many people without analyzing their personal situation, but taking care that this blessing is not confused with legitimization, as if it were a marital union between people of the same sex. Merciful love and respect, yes; but the truth cannot be weakened: God made only two sexes, male and female, and matrimonial complementarity is only blessed between a man and a woman. If contrary customs are imposed and civil laws approve them, we believers must have God’s plan as our point of reference. Many of those who participated in these marches are Christians; Therefore, they should honestly analyze whether their attitude is in accordance with God’s will.

A few years ago, some English scientists declared that there is no such thing as a homosexual gene; that there are only two genes, male and female. That’s what science says. Therefore, it’s not merely a religious issue. In some cases, it has been identified that homosexuality can originate in dysfunctions in the relationship with paternal and maternal figures, either of rejection or identification. A man may reject his father so much that, unconsciously, he doesn’t want to resemble him, but rather his mother; he rejects being a man and identifies, from early childhood, with the feminine figure. Or a woman rejects her mother so much that she doesn’t want to resemble her, doesn’t want to be a woman, but rather to be more like her father, to be like a man. Naturally, there are many other reasons from the earliest years of life that affect the level of feelings that condition emotional tendencies. These are unconscious mechanisms, as the most orthodox psychology maintains. Up to this point, there is no personal responsibility; therefore, it is not a sin to be homosexual; what is sinful is practicing homosexual relations, because this does depend on personal will.

LIGHTNING

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is very clear on this matter. It says: “Homosexuality designates relationships between men or women who experience a sexual attraction, exclusive or predominant, toward persons of the same sex. It takes very varied forms throughout the centuries and cultures. Its psychological origin remains largely unexplained. Relying on Sacred Scripture, which presents them as grave depravities (cf. Gen 19:1-29; Rom 1:24-27; 1 Cor 6:10; 1 Tim 1:10), Tradition has always declared that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered. They are contrary to natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. Likewise, they do not proceed from a true affective and sexual complementarity. In no case can they receive approval” (2357). Let it be clear: homosexual acts are disordered and sinful; not the tendency, which may not be a personal responsibility.

“A significant number of men and women exhibit instinctive homosexual tendencies. They do not choose their homosexual condition; for most of them, it constitutes a real trial. They must be welcomed with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination must be avoided. These people are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite with the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter because of their condition” (2358).

“Homosexual persons are called to chastity. Through virtues of self-control that foster interior freedom, and sometimes through the support of selfless friendship, prayer, and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection” (2359). That is to say, those with homosexual tendencies can be saints if they do not commit homosexual acts. They can receive Eucharistic Communion if they are struggling to remain chaste.

ACTIONS

Let us be very respectful of homosexual people; there is no contempt or discrimination, but we cannot fail to proclaim our faith, which enlightens us with the truth of God, who created only two sexes: male and female. Personal experiences that affect this reality must be carefully addressed and respected. This is not homophobia, nor do we violate civil law, as the Law on Religious Associations and Public Worship authorizes us to proclaim our own beliefs, always respecting others (Article 9, III).