Joshua Bennett
The Catholic Church's stance on homosexuality has been described as sending mixed signals. While the Church affirms the dignity and value of every human being, it does not approve of same-sex relationships and considers homosexual acts intrinsically disordered. The Church's official position is that homosexual orientation is not a sin but a tendency towards the moral evil of homosexual activity. It teaches that homosexual persons are called to chastity and must abstain from sexual relations, in the same way that unmarried heterosexual couples are expected to. While the Church does not bless same-sex marriages, it does call on its members to welcome LGBTQ+ people with respect and sensitivity. Despite Pope Francis' famous Who am I to judge? comment, the Church has become increasingly intolerant of gay and lesbian people, and organisations such as DignityUSA and New Ways Ministry have been censured by the American Catholic Church hierarchy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official stance on homosexuality | Homosexual orientation is not a sin but homosexual activity is a "moral evil" and therefore a "disorder". |
| Official stance on same-sex marriage | The Catholic Church does not bless same-sex marriages, considering them "illicit" and "outside of marriage". |
| Official stance on same-sex civil unions | The Catholic 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.'". |
| Official stance on unjust discrimination | The Church teaches that homosexual persons "must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity" and that "every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided". |
| Official stance on gay and lesbian members | The Church affirms the dignity and value of every human being, regardless of sexual orientation. Gay and lesbian Catholics who are not engaging in sexual relations are living a chaste life and are members in good standing of the Catholic Church. |
| Official stance on reparative therapy | The Catholic Church has not officially approved of reparative therapy. |
| Official stance on decriminalization of homosexuality | Members of the Catholic Church have intervened on both sides of the issue, both supporting efforts to decriminalize homosexuality and to maintain it as a criminal offence. |
| Official stance on anti-discrimination laws | The Church opposes the extension of anti-discrimination laws to gay men and lesbians in areas such as public housing, educational or athletic employment, adoption, or military recruitment. |
| Official stance on LGBTQ+ rights | The Catholic Church is politically active on LGBTQ rights issues and has been described as sending "mixed signals" on the topic. |
| Official stance on LGBTQ+ organizations | Organizations advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ Catholics, such as DignityUSA and New Ways Ministry, have been censured by the hierarchy of the American Catholic Church. |
| Official stance on LGBTQ+ pastoral care | Pastoral care for LGBTQ+ Catholics is provided through a variety of official and unofficial channels, varying from diocese to diocese. |
| Official stance on LGBTQ+ inclusion | The Catholic Church has been described as increasingly intolerant of LGBTQ+ individuals, even those who are celibate. However, Pope Francis has made statements indicating a more inclusive stance, such as referring to homosexuals as "part of the family". |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Church's stance on homosexuality
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, the official summary of Catholic doctrine, states that "homosexual persons are called to chastity" and that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered". This teaching is based on the belief that homosexual acts are contrary to "natural law" as they “close the sexual act to the gift of life" and are not "genuine affective and sexual complementarity". The Church makes a distinction between a homosexual orientation, which is not considered sinful, and homosexual actions, which are considered sinful. This distinction is reflected in the Church's position that gay and lesbian Catholics who are not sexually active can be members in good standing and fully participate in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Church.
The Church's opposition to same-sex marriage and sexual activity has led to its involvement in political campaigns against the legalisation of homosexuality and same-sex marriage. This has caused tension with LGBTQ+ rights advocates, both within and outside the Church. While some Catholic organisations advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ Catholics and dissent from Church teaching, others encourage Catholics with same-sex attraction to accept Church teaching and live chastely.
In recent years, there have been calls from within the Church for greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals. Pope Francis, for example, has made statements indicating his support for civil unions for same-sex couples and has referred to homosexuals as "part of the family". However, rights advocates have noted that these statements do not indicate a change in Catholic doctrine and are reflective of the Pope's personal opinions.
The experience of LGBTQ+ parishioners can vary widely across dioceses and parishes. While some parishes offer as full a welcome as possible within the limits of Church policy, others have denied membership to LGBTQ+ individuals and families. The Church's stance on homosexuality continues to be a source of conflict and distress for LGBTQ+ Catholics and their families.
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Pope Francis' views on homosexuality
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first pope from South America and the first born outside of Europe since the 8th century. He was also the first Jesuit pope. He was elected in 2013 and died in 2025 aged 88.
Pope Francis was known for his progressive views on LGBTQ+ issues, particularly in comparison to his predecessors. He advocated for greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ people within the Catholic Church and wider society. In a 2013 interview, he famously said: "If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?". He also said that gay people should not be marginalised and that they are "our brothers". In 2018, he told a gay man, Juan Carlos Cruz, that "God made you like this and he loves you". In the same year, he told parents not to deny or disown their homosexual children but to "make room for them".
However, Pope Francis's stance on LGBTQ+ issues has been complicated. While he has been praised for his welcoming tone of acceptance, his comments have sometimes caused confusion and presented moral dilemmas for Catholic parents and children. For example, in 2023, he clarified that homosexuality is not a crime but a sin, as any sexual act outside of marriage is a sin according to Catholic moral teaching. He has also condemned "gender theory", comparing it to nuclear war and genetic manipulation. In 2018, he suggested that gay children could seek psychiatric treatment. In addition, he approved a decree barring priests from blessing gay couples.
Overall, Pope Francis was seen as a progressive pope who advocated for social justice, including the protection of migrants and the environment, and the uplifting of marginalised communities.
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The Vatican's stance on homosexuality
The Catholic Church, with its institutional center at the Vatican, teaches that "homosexual acts" are "intrinsically immoral and contrary to natural law," and that "homosexual tendencies" are "objectively disordered." This is because homosexual acts are considered to close the sexual act to the gift of life and do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. The Church calls homosexual Catholics to a life of chastity, abstaining from sexual relations, and does not permit them to marry within the Church.
The Vatican's policies on homosexuality have evolved over time. In 1976, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, under Pope Paul VI, published Persona Humana, which taught against all extra-marital sex, including gay sex. In 1986, the Congregation issued a letter to all the bishops of the Catholic Church, addressing the pastoral care of homosexual persons. The letter affirmed that homosexual orientation is not a sin but is a tendency towards the "moral evil" of homosexual activity and is therefore an "objective disorder." In 2005, a Vatican document approved by Pope Benedict XVI instructed that the Church cannot admit to the seminary or holy orders those who practice homosexuality or have deep-seated homosexual tendencies.
In recent years, there have been calls from within the Church for greater inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals. Pope Francis has stated that homosexuality is not a crime and has expressed support for civil unions for same-sex couples. He has also emphasized the need to accept, welcome, and accompany LGBT people, and the Vatican used the acronym LGBT for the first time in an official document in 2018. Bishops around the world have held events to reach out to gay Catholics, and some dioceses and parishes have made efforts to welcome and include LGBTQ+ members. Organizations such as DignityUSA and New Ways Ministry advocate for the rights of LGBT Catholics and dissent from Church teaching, while Courage International encourages Catholics with same-sex attraction to accept Church teaching.
However, there have also been instances of LGBTQ+ individuals being dismissed from Catholic schools and parishes for celebrating same-sex marriages, and the Vatican has barred transgender Catholics from serving as baptismal sponsors. The Catholic Church in the United States, in particular, has been criticized for its opposition to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), stating that it could conflict with Catholic teachings on same-sex sexual conduct.
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LGBTQ+ Catholics' experiences
The Catholic Church's relationship with the LGBTQ+ community is complex and often contentious, with conflicting views between the Church and some LGBTQ+ Catholics. While the Church does not consider same-sex attraction or "inclination" a sin, it believes that acting upon these attractions is sinful. As such, the Church does not recognize same-sex marriage or civil unions as sacramental marriages.
The Church's teachings emphasize that all same-sex individuals must "be accepted and treated with respect, compassion, and sensitivity," and that all forms of unjust discrimination should be avoided. However, some Church documents describe same-sex attraction as "objectively disordered," and the Church has been described as sending "mixed signals" regarding discrimination based on sexual orientation. For instance, while the Church opposes discrimination in some areas, it has also stated that efforts to "protect the common good" by limiting the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in areas such as public housing, educational or athletic employment, adoption, or military recruitment, are permissible and sometimes obligatory.
The actual experience of LGBTQ+ Catholics can vary widely across dioceses and parishes. Some parishes have welcomed LGBTQ+ members, while others have denied them membership. Organizations such as Outreach Catholic, DignityUSA, and New Ways Ministry advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ Catholics and dissent from Church teaching. DignityUSA, for example, works for "respect and justice for people of all sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities—especially LGBTQ+ persons—in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy, and support." Fortunate Families is another organization that supports Catholic parents with LGBTQ+ children, affirming, celebrating, and seeking equality for their families.
In recent years, senior clergy and popes have called for the Church to increase its support for LGBTQ+ individuals. Notably, Pope Francis expressed support for civil unions to protect gay couples in a 2020 documentary and a 2021 press conference, stating, "If a homosexual couple wants to lead a life together, the State has the possibility to give them safety, stability, inheritance; and not only to homosexuals but to all the people who want to live together." In December 2023, the Roman Catholic Church published Fiducia supplicans, a declaration allowing priests to bless people in same-sex relationships.
Despite these steps towards inclusion, the Catholic Church's teachings on sexuality remain a major source of conflict and distress for many LGBTQ+ Catholics. The Church's opposition to same-sex marriage and previous opposition to same-sex civil unions have been particularly straining on the relationship between the Church and the LGBTQ+ community.
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Catholic organisations advocating for LGBTQ+ rights
The Catholic Church's teachings on sexuality have been described as a major source of conflict and distress for LGBTQ+ Catholics. While the Church has welcomed celibate gay and lesbian people into its community, it does not approve of same-sex relationships or gay marriage. The Church's stance on homosexuality has been described as sending "mixed signals".
Despite this, there are several Catholic organisations advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. Here are some examples:
DignityUSA
DignityUSA is a national organisation that has been working since 1969 to advocate for LGBTQIA+ Catholics, celebrating their identities as "children of God". The organisation aims to foster inclusion and justice for LGBTQIA+ people in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy, and support. DignityUSA has been active in tackling anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes, with Cardinal John O'Connor of New York agreeing to support an anti-hate crime bill protecting LGBTQ+ people in 1997.
Fortunate Families
Fortunate Families is a national organisation of Catholic parents with LGBTQ+ children. The group supports other Catholic families to affirm, celebrate, and seek equality for their LGBTQ+ family members.
New Ways Ministry
New Ways Ministry is an LGBTQ+-positive ministry that advocates for justice and reconciliation for LGBTQ+ Catholics within the Christian and civil communities.
Outreach Catholic
Outreach Catholic is an organisation that advocates for the rights of LGBTQ+ Catholics, dissenting from the Church's official teachings.
Courage International
Courage International is a ministry that encourages Catholics with same-sex attraction to live chastely and accept Church teachings. It also has a branch called Encourage, which is geared towards the relatives and friends of gay people. Courage is a recognised apostolate of the Church.
While these organisations advocate for LGBTQ+ rights within the Catholic Church, it is important to note that the Church's relationship with the LGBTQ+ community has been strained, particularly during critical moments such as the height of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The Church has been politically active on LGBTQ+ rights issues, often opposing the decriminalisation of homosexuality and anti-discrimination measures.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual people must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. However, it considers homosexual acts "intrinsically disordered" and calls on homosexual Catholics to live a life of chastity.
Gay and lesbian Catholics who are not engaging in sexual relations are considered to be living a chaste life and are members in good standing of the Catholic Church. They are free to participate fully in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Catholic faith community.
No, the Catholic Church does not support same-sex marriage and is active in political campaigns against it. It also does not recognize gay civil unions as sacramental marriages.
The Catholic Church has been described as sending "mixed signals" regarding discrimination based on sexual orientation. While it emphasizes that all forms of unjust discrimination against LGBTQ+ people should be avoided, it has also opposed extending civil rights legislation in areas such as public housing, educational employment, and military recruitment to gay men and lesbians.
