July 11, 2021 - "Courage"

Often priests of the Archdiocese of Washington are asked to undertake other responsibilities in addition to their parish duties.  Three years ago I was asked to become the Chaplain to the Courage Apostolate for the Archdiocese of Washington.  Courage offers support for Catholic men and women who experience same-sex attraction and desire to live chaste lives following the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.  In the course of my work in the Courage, I have found a document issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2006 to be of enormous help in understanding the issues involved with this pastoral situation.  Today I am going to present the introduction to this document and one of the general principles to bear in mind when considering this issue.
 
INTRODUCTION
The mission of the Church is to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to all people and to minister to all people in his name.  In our time and culture, special challenges are faced by those Church members who carry out this mission among people who experience same-sex attraction.  There are many forces in our society that promote a view of sexuality in general, and of homosexuality in particular, not in accord with God’s purpose and plan for human sexuality.
 
To offer guidance in the face of pervasive confusion, the Catholic bishops of the United States find it timely to provide basic guidelines for pastoral ministry to persons with a homosexual inclination or tendency.  These guidelines are intended to assist bishops in evaluating existing or proposed programs and ministerial efforts and to provide direction and guidance for those engaged in this ministry.
 
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
 
Respecting Human Dignity
The commission of the Church to preach the Good News to all people in every land points to the fundamental dignity possessed by each person as created by God.  God has created every human person out of love and wishes to grant him or her eternal life in the communion of the Trinity.  All people are created in the image and likeness of God and thus possess an innate human dignity that must be acknowledged and respected. 
 
In keeping with this conviction, the Church teaches that persons with a homosexual inclination “must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.” We recognize that these persons have been, and often continue to be, objects of scorn, hatred, and even violence in some sectors our society.  Sometimes this hatred is manifested clearly; other times, it is masked and gives rise to more disguised forms of hatred.  “It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action.  Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church’s pastors whenever it occurs.”

Those who would minister in the name of the Church must in no way contribute to such injustice.  They should prayerfully examine their own hearts in order to discern any thoughts or feelings that might stand in the need of purification.  Those who minister are also called to growth in holiness.  In fact, the work of spreading the Good News involves an ever-increasing love for those to whom one is ministering by calling them to the truth of Jesus Christ.
 
I will continue this presentation of General Principles next week.
 
Until then,
Fr. John