Michael Brooks
The Catholic Church's stance on homosexuality has been a topic of much debate and discussion, with varying opinions among its members and clergy. Officially, the Church teaches that homosexual acts are intrinsically immoral and contrary to natural law, and homosexual tendencies are objectively disordered. However, the Church also calls for homosexual individuals to be treated with respect, compassion, and sensitivity, avoiding any form of unjust discrimination. This has resulted in a complex relationship between the Church and the LGBTQ+ community, with some members feeling welcomed and supported, while others experience confusion, exclusion, and a need for organizations like DignityUSA and New Ways Ministry, which advocate for LGBTQ+ rights within the Church.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official stance on homosexuality | Homosexual acts are considered "intrinsically immoral and contrary to the natural law" and homosexual tendencies are "objectively disordered" |
| Treatment of homosexual individuals | Homosexual individuals "must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity" and every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided |
| Official stance on same-sex marriage | The Church does not recognize gay civil unions as sacramental marriages |
| Official stance on gay priests | The Church "cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies, or support the so-called 'gay culture'" |
| Support for LGBTQ+ rights | The Church has intervened to support efforts to decriminalize homosexuality, but also to ensure it remains a criminal offence; the Church opposes the extension of civil rights legislation to gay men and lesbians in areas such as public housing, educational or athletic employment, adoption, and military recruitment |
| Pastoral care for LGBTQ+ Catholics | Provided through a variety of official and unofficial channels, varying from diocese to diocese |
| Stance on same-sex sexual relations | Homosexual Catholics, like unmarried heterosexuals, are called to a life of chastity, which limits sexual relations to men and women in a sacramental marriage |
| Stance on celibacy | The Church has welcomed celibate gay and lesbian people into its church life |
| Stance on sexual orientation | The Church teaches that sexual orientation is not sinful in and of itself, but it is a tendency towards the "moral evil" of homosexual activity and is therefore considered an "objective disorder" |
| Official stance on civil unions | Pope Francis voiced support for same-sex civil unions, marking a shift from the Vatican's previous stance against legal recognition of homosexual unions |
| Support among Catholics for same-sex marriage | Varies across regions; in the US, about 61% of Catholics support same-sex marriage, while in Central and Eastern Europe, most Catholics oppose it |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Church's official stance on homosexuality
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, a text containing the dogmas and teachings of the Church, states that "homosexual acts" are "intrinsically immoral and contrary to the natural law", and that "homosexual tendencies" are "objectively disordered". It teaches that homosexual acts are "acts of grave depravity" that are "intrinsically disordered", as they are "contrary to the natural law" and "do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity". The Church therefore calls homosexual Catholics to a life of chastity, in which sexual relations are limited to men and women in a sacramental marriage.
The Church does not consider "homosexual orientation" sinful in and of itself, and its official policy is that those with "homosexual tendencies" must be
In recent years, senior clergy and popes have called for the Church to increase its support for LGBTQ+ individuals, and Pope Francis notably supported granting civil union status for same-sex couples as a legal protection. However, the Church has also intervened to ensure that homosexuality remains a criminal offence in some countries and does not recognise gay civil unions as marriages.
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Catholics' views on homosexuality
The Catholic Church's teachings on homosexuality have evolved over time, influenced by interventions from Popes and theologians. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, a text containing dogmas and teachings of the Church, names "homosexual acts" as "intrinsically immoral and contrary to natural law" and "homosexual tendencies" as "objectively disordered". The Church teaches that homosexual individuals are called to a life of chastity, refraining from sexual relations, similar to unmarried heterosexual individuals.
While the Church does not consider "homosexual orientation" sinful in itself, it maintains a negative attitude towards it, viewing it as a "tendency towards the 'moral evil' of homosexual activity". Homosexuality is seen as "essentially self-indulgent" since same-sex sexual acts are non-procreative and thus, not genuinely loving or selfless. The Church also believes that accepting homosexual acts as morally equivalent to heterosexual acts is harmful to the family and society.
However, the Church calls for homosexual persons to be treated with "respect, compassion, and sensitivity", and for the avoidance of "unjust discrimination". Pope Francis, in particular, has voiced support for same-sex civil unions, marking a shift from the Vatican's previous stance. He also publicly denounced sodomy laws. Some Catholic communities, like the one in Waterloo, actively encourage and support gay and lesbian members, inviting them to participate fully in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Catholic faith.
There are varying views among Catholics worldwide regarding homosexuality and same-sex marriage. In Western Europe, large majorities of Catholics in countries like the Netherlands (92%), the United Kingdom (78%), France (74%), and Germany (70%) expressed support for legal same-sex marriage in a 2017 survey. In contrast, most Catholics in Central and Eastern European countries, such as Ukraine (90%), Hungary (66%), and Poland (62%), oppose it. Similarly, in the United States, there is a divide, with six-in-ten Catholics (61%) favoring same-sex marriage in a 2019 survey.
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How Catholic teachings on homosexuality have evolved
The Catholic Church's teachings on homosexuality have evolved over time, influenced by papal interventions, theologians, and the early Church Fathers. The Church's position has been shaped by scripture and stands in contrast to the more relaxed attitudes of ancient Greeks and Romans toward same-sex relations. Canon law regulating homosexual activity has evolved over the centuries, with proscriptions initially aimed at ensuring clerical or monastic discipline and later expanded to include laymen.
In the Middle Ages, the Catholic clergy encouraged the pious to identify and punish those engaging in homosexual acts. The Church's teachings on homosexuality were further developed by theologians like Clement of Alexandria and David F. Greenberg, who opposed male prostitution and pederasty, respectively. The early 2nd-century treatise, the Didache, includes a commandment: "You shall not corrupt boys."
In more recent times, the Catholic Church's relationship with the LGBTQ+ community has been strained, especially during the height of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. While the Church teaches that homosexual orientation is not a sin, it considers homosexual acts "intrinsically immoral and contrary to natural law." The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which contains the Church's dogmas and teachings, describes homosexual tendencies as ""objectively disordered." However, the Vatican's policies emphasize the need to treat individuals with homosexual tendencies with respect, compassion, and sensitivity, avoiding all forms of unjust discrimination.
Despite this, there have been instances of LGBTQ+ employees in Catholic schools and parishes being dismissed for celebrating same-sex marriages. The Church does not recognize or perform sacramental marriages between same-sex couples and actively campaigns against same-sex marriage. However, some priests and bishops have offered blessings for same-sex couples.
While Pope Francis has taken a more progressive stance, becoming the first pope to support civil union status for same-sex individuals, his comments are not official church teaching. Nonetheless, they have been seen as neutralizing the 2005 instruction under Pope Benedict XVI, which barred those with deep-seated homosexual tendencies from holy orders. Today, some bishops and religious orders make their own decisions regarding the acceptance of gay men into the seminary and priesthood. Organizations like DignityUSA and Fortunate Families work within the Catholic Church to promote respect, justice, and equality for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.
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How Catholic communities can be more inclusive of LGBTQ+ people
While the Catholic Church has welcomed celibate gay and lesbian people, it has also been described as sending "mixed signals" regarding discrimination based on sexual orientation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, a text containing the dogmas and teachings of the Church, names "homosexual acts" as "intrinsically immoral and contrary to the natural law". It further states that "homosexual tendencies" are "objectively disordered".
However, the Vatican’s policies state that those with “homosexual tendencies .. . must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.” Furthermore, Pope Francis took a notably different approach to his predecessors by supporting civil unions for same-sex individuals and denouncing sodomy laws.
- Clarify official church teachings: While respecting official Catholic teachings, Catholic communities can welcome LGBTQ+ members by prioritising their experiences and ensuring that they do not feel excommunicated. This can be achieved through clear communication and education about the Church's stance on gender and sexuality, without causing "doctrinal confusion" or "scandal".
- Offer pastoral care: Providing pastoral care for LGBTQ+ Catholics through official and unofficial channels can help them feel supported and included in the Catholic community. This can include initiatives like OUT|LOUD, which fosters solidarity with those facing discrimination based on sexual orientation.
- Encourage participation: LGBTQ+ Catholics can be encouraged to participate fully in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Catholic faith community. This includes attending Mass, joining faith-sharing groups, getting involved in social justice projects, and enrolling their children in Catholic schools.
- Promote inclusivity: Catholic communities can actively reach out to LGBTQ+ members and offer a welcoming environment within the limits of Church policy. This includes avoiding unjust discrimination and ensuring that LGBTQ+ individuals and their families are not denied membership or employment opportunities within the Church.
- Support LGBTQ+ organisations: Catholic communities can collaborate with organisations like DignityUSA, New Ways Ministry, and Fortunate Families, which advocate for the rights and inclusion of LGBTQ+ Catholics. These organisations work towards respect, justice, and equality for LGBTQ+ individuals within the Catholic Church.
By implementing these initiatives, Catholic communities can strive to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance within the Church.
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LGBTQ+ Catholics' experiences and participation in the Church
The relationship between the Catholic Church and LGBTQ+ individuals is complex and often contentious, with various conflicting views. The Church's teachings on this issue have evolved over time, influenced by papal interventions and theologians, including the early Church Fathers. While the Church does not consider same-sex attraction to be a sin, it maintains that homosexual acts are "intrinsically immoral and contrary to the natural law", and that homosexual tendencies" are "objectively disordered". This is because, according to the Church, sexual acts should be open to procreation and express male-female complementarity, which homosexual acts cannot achieve.
The Catholic Church has been described as sending "mixed signals" regarding discrimination based on sexual orientation. While it opposes extending certain civil rights to gay and lesbian individuals, such as non-discrimination in public housing, educational or athletic employment, adoption, or military recruitment, it also states that those with "homosexual tendencies" must be accepted with "respect, compassion, and sensitivity", and that "every sign of unjust discrimination" should be avoided. The Church's teachings emphasize that individuals with same-sex attractions ought to receive encouragement and aid to embrace the universal call to holiness, and that they are entitled to participate in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Catholic faith community.
Organizations such as Outreach Catholic, DignityUSA, and New Ways Ministry advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ Catholics and dissent from Church teachings. In contrast, Courage International encourages Catholics with same-sex attraction to accept Church teachings and live chastely. These organizations reflect the practical and ministerial disagreements within the Catholic clergy, hierarchy, and laity concerning the Church's position on homosexuality.
In recent years, senior clergy and popes have called for increased support for LGBTQ+ individuals within the Church, and Pope Francis has notably supported civil unions for same-sex couples as legal protection. However, the Church continues to oppose same-sex marriage and is active in political campaigns against it.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual acts are "intrinsically immoral and contrary to the natural law", and homosexual tendencies are "objectively disordered". Homosexual orientation is not considered sinful, but it is a tendency towards the "moral evil" of homosexual activity. Homosexual Catholics, like unmarried heterosexuals, are called to a life of chastity.
Catholics are divided in their support for same-sex marriage and their acceptance of homosexuality. In Western Europe, large majorities of Catholics support legal same-sex marriage. In Switzerland and Italy, 76% and 57% of Catholics, respectively, supported gay marriage in 2017. In the United States, about six in ten Catholics (61%) said in a 2019 survey that they favour allowing gays and lesbians to marry. However, in almost all of the Central and Eastern European countries surveyed in 2015 and 2016, most Catholics opposed same-sex marriage.
The Catholic Church has been described as sending "mixed signals" regarding discrimination based on sexual orientation. While the Vatican states that those with homosexual tendencies "must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity", it also says that the Church "cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called 'gay culture'". In recent years, senior clergy and popes have called for the Church to increase its support for LGBTQ+ individuals. Pope Francis voiced his support for same-sex civil unions, although he maintains his long-standing opposition to gay marriage.
