Straight talk on homosexuality

Boston archbishop Sean O'Malley has issued a pastoral letter about how the Church views homosexual persons. The letter was read at all Masses in the Archdiocese last Sunday. O'Malley's words are clear and at the same time full of tenderness toward those who bear the heavy burden of same-sex attraction. He writes:

We know that friends and relatives of homosexual Catholics sometimes feel torn between their allegiance to Christ and their concern for their loved ones. I assure them that these goals are not incompatible. As Catholics we profess a firm belief in the dignity of each person and in the eternal destiny to which God calls us. Calling people to embrace the cross of discipleship, to live the commandments and at the same time assuring them that we love them as brothers and sisters can be difficult. Sometimes we are told: “If you do not accept my behavior, you do not love me.”In reality we must communicate the exact opposite: “Because we love you, we cannot accept your behavior.”

Finally, a shepherd who is not afraid to tell it like it is. Would that it were so in L.A.

Note that the Archbishop avoids the use of politicized language like 'gay' and 'lesbian,' but uses instead language which respects the dignity of each individual human person. "The Church," he writes, "has often warned against defining people by their sexual orientation in a way that diminishes their humanity. Each person is a mystery, an irreplaceable treasure, precious in God’s eye. We are God’s creatures and in baptism we are His sons and daughters, brothers and sisters to one another."

Read the entire pastoral letter HERE. It is brief and a worthy read.

See the Catechism of the Catholic Church on homosexuality.