Canadian Bishops call on the Church to adopt the Courage Apostolate's pastoral approach to men and women with same-sex attraction

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops published a letter today entitled Pastoral Ministry to Young People with Same-Sex Attraction. This letter is a genuinely Catholic and very compassionate response to the problem of same-sex attraction and the pain felt by young people who find themselves with such temptations. It also offers guidelines on how priests and families should respond to those seeking help concerning their homosexual inclination.

One of the first things that the Bishops of Canada write is that the terms "gay" and "lesbian" are not valid within the Catholic Church, for they are words that are often used to truncate the human person. The Church prefers to use the term "same-sex attracted" person - for it does not define the whole man or woman involved, but rather emphasises that the attraction is pertinent only to their problematic sexuality. Of course, here in the Diocese of Westminster, the Soho Masses group, which is the official source of pastoral care for those with homosexual temptations, constantly refers to "gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered" people. These terms are highly politicised, and demonstrate that the Soho Masses Pastoral Council (SMPC) views sexuality and sexual identity in ways that contradict the Church's understanding of the human person. (For more on the SMPC, please see last Saturday's post).

One wonders what the Catholic Bishops of Canada would have to say if they saw how the Church in London deals with same-sex attracted people. One also wonders what those who meet at Warwick Street (home to the Soho Masses) would think of this properly Catholic definition, as found in the Canadian Bishops' Pastoral Letter:

We wish to stress that, although sexual identity helps situate the person as a unique individual, the human person “can hardly be described by a reductionist reference to his or her sexual orientation.” Those with same-sex attraction are first and foremost human beings, our brothers and sisters in Christ. Because of their inherent dignity, they always deserve our respect. By fostering this profound esteem we imitate the Good Shepherd’s love for his flock.

The truth shall set you free

The Canadian Bishops also emphasise that they really wish to approach the question of same-sex attraction from a properly compassionate perspective, one that it allied to the truth - as hard as that might be for some in the modern world to accept. Reaffirming God's purpose in creating human sexuality, the Bishops do not shy away from presenting Catholic truth, saying:

Sexual relations belong within the marriage covenant between a man and a woman, for it is only within this covenant that the two inseparable ends of marriage can be achieved: the deepening of love between spouses and the procreation and education of children. Any genital act outside the covenant of marriage cannot fulfill this twofold purpose intended by the Creator and thus is morally wrong.

It never helps a sick man to tell him that he's fine, otherwise he might never make the changes necessary to get better. Here, then, the Canadian Bishops stress that the Church has always taught the truth regarding sexuality, a truth that is unchanging. They even refer to Bl Pope John Paul II's theology of the body - which emphasised that man compliments woman, and vice-versa. God's truth really is that simple!

Catholics must show compassion towards those with same sex attractions

Going on to stress that the Church truly wishes to be compassionate when it comes to those who come to her suffering from same-sex attraction, the Bishops reiterate the Catholic teaching that:

...the Church never condemns persons with same-sex attraction. She carefully distinguishes between an individual’s inclinations or feelings – some of which are transitory and/or situational and others which are deep-seated or permanent – and one’s actions. While homosexual acts are always objectively wrong, same-sex inclinations are not in themselves sinful or a moral failing.

They also emphasise that many of those who suffer from same-sex attraction view their condition as a trial, and therefore need the Church's pastoral ministry. They need compassion and help. They have a huge cross to carry - one that would be very difficult to manage alone.

Chastity - a positive response that unites us to the Cross

The Bishops also call on all young people to find the fulfilment of their sexuality in chastity - for it alone can successfully integrate human sexuality to form a rounded and mature person. All men and women are called to chastity in one way or another. But, of course, most will get married and enjoy the exclusive erotic love that leads to the creation of new life. Men and women who suffer from a permanent form of same-sex attraction will not experience marriage, and are therefore called to a deeper chastity, one that can lead to a profound reliance on Christ's love:

For young people who experience a same-sex attraction and for whom marriage is not an option, choosing chastity as a positive value is even more of an ongoing challenge. We must encourage them to live their single lives chastely as disciples of Jesus, who followed the path of sacrifice to the glory of eternal life. Responding generously to the call to chastity involves suffering and difficulty, but Christ invites us to place our burdens on him: “Come to me, all you who are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. … For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mt 11.28, 30). Countless Christians through the ages have found that Jesus’ friendship and care bring inner healing and peace, and enable them to bear fruit for the life of Christ’s Body, the Church (cf. Col 1.24).

Although the Bishops of the Canadian Church don't specifically say this, this is the kind of chastity that priests and religious are called to. It frees up the individual to accept love from many places and to share his heart with all whom he encounters. It is a profound form of loving, and the summit of all human sexuality. It is, in effect, preparation for the joys of heaven - where, as Our Lord said, "...they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like the angels..." (cf Mt 22:30).

The Bishops also consider the fact that in today's world there are extra pressures on young people, especially those with same-sex attractions, to reject the Church's teaching, saying: "The Church’s teaching on sexuality in general and homosexuality in particular appear bizarre, out of touch, and even intolerant." But, the Bishops go on to emphasise that truth is objective and it alone sets us free (cf Jn 8:32) - it is not in following our wilful desires that we're set free, but rather we are freed through humble acceptance of the truth. Having said that, the Canadian Bishops also welcome the fact that the world is nowadays a more accepting place for people. They also join with the whole Church in deploring any unjust discrimination against homosexuals.

The Church should encourage Courage, not those groups that promote the "gay culture"

As pastoral solutions to the issue of same-sex attraction, the Bishops of Canada suggest that priests and pastoral workers need to listen to young people who suffer from same-sex attraction, and "offer them the love of Christ." They also mention that groups such as Courage and Encourage should be promoted within the Church - for they work to help men and women integrate their sexuality and to achieve chastity. It must be noted that other groups within the Church, ones that claim to be offering pastoral support to same-sex attracted people but actually promote the "gay culture" and dissent from the Church's teachings, should not be encouraged. The Bishops of Canada don't specifically say this, but it is heavily implied throughout their document.

In addressing parents, the Bishops ask them to be always loving and welcoming of their children. They also suggest that therapy might benefit a child or young person experiencing same-sex attraction. But, contrary to what might be suggested by the Diocese of Westminster's Soho Masses, the Canadian Church asks that parents:

Ensure that professional counsellors or psychologists who see young people are distinguished by their sound human and spiritual maturity. They must be committed to the Christian vision of the human person and sexuality, as well as the Church’s teaching on homosexuality and chastity. Their interventions can help your child discern the meaning of a same-sex attraction in a way that leads to greater clarity about sexual identity and the inherent dignity of all children of God.

In the section that speaks to Educators, the Bishops again affirm that no Catholic can, in good conscience, be unjustly discriminatory to homosexuals. But, they also emphasise that, "Moral conscience requires that, in every occasion, Christians give witness to the whole moral truth, which is contradicted ... by approval of homosexual acts...". One wonders what Archbishop Nichols and the Soho Masses would make of that Catholic statement?

The Canadian Bishops also warn that no-one in the Church should encourage young people to engage in the "gay culture", which is "opposed to the Church’s teaching, with its often
aggressive and immoral lifestyle." If only we had wise men like this running our Church here in the UK! Everyone knows that the Soho Masses, far from leading men and women away from the "gay culture", actually promotes it and encourages them to play a part in it (just see the screen shots at the bottom of last Saturday's post)!

Pray, be vigilant and celebrate the sacraments!

The Canadian Bishops finish their letter to young people suffering from same-sex attraction by encouraging them to live in hope and love. They call on young homosexuals to know that God loves them, they ask them to "pray without ceasing" (cf 1 Thess 5:17) and to "be vigilant" (cf 1 Pet 5:8), for "chastity is not only a journey but also a battle." Finally, the Bishops of Canada invite young people to celebrate the sacraments frequently and to cultivate friendships that are healthy and that lead them away from sinful people and places - such as, I assume, the "gay scene", etc.

I was immensely pleased to read this powerful document by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. These men have been brave enough to live their episcopal vocation, and for that the Church must be grateful. It is sad, though, that it seems highly unlikely that the Bishops of England and Wales would publish anything remotely like this pastoral letter. Instead, they still appear to think that the world has more insight on the issue of same-sex attraction than does the Catholic faith. It is horrible to know that here in the UK young men and women who wish to live chaste lives have to do so with little support from the Church - as our bishops are more enamoured by pro-gay groups like the Soho Masses than by properly Catholic ones like Courage.

My advice to young people suffering from same-sex attraction is for them to avoid some of the provisions on offer here in London - attach yourselves to the sound teaching of the Canadian bishops instead! Hopefully, soon, the Courage Apostolate will be welcomed once more here in England and Wales, too. We can but pray!