The Church’s Position on Homosexuality

The Church sees its teaching on homosexuality as based on the solid foundation of a constant biblical testimony. From the Church's point of view, the basis for understanding the entire discussion of homosexuality is the theology of creation as found in Genesis. God fashions mankind, male and female, in his own image and likeness.

The male and female sexes complement each other, and men and women are called to reflect the inner unity of the Creator. They do this in a striking way in their cooperation with him in the transmission of life by a mutual giving of the self to the other. The Church sees the practice of homosexuality as something condemned by the Scriptures and cites in its documents the passages mentioned above. The Church’s teaching on homosexuality can be summarized as follows:

(1) A distinction must be made between “the homosexual condition or tendency” and “individual homosexual actions.” The latter is “intrinsically disordered” and is “in no case to be approved of” In other words, while the Church does not condemn people for being homosexuals, it condemns the homosexual acts that homosexuals perform.

(2) Although the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a more or less strong tendency ordered towards an intrinsic moral evil, and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder.

(3) To choose someone of the same sex for one’s sexual activity is to annul the rich symbolism and meaning, not to mention the goals, of the Creator's sexual design. Homosexual activity is not a complementary union, able to transmit life, and so it thwarts the call to a life of that form of self-giving which the Gospel says is the essence of Christian living.

(4) We must reject the unfounded and demeaning assumption that the sexual behaviour of homosexual persons is always and totally compulsive and therefore inculpable. The homosexual also must be seen as having the fundamental liberty which characterizes the human person and gives him his dignity.

(5) It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment must be condemned by the Church’s pastors wherever it occurs. It portrays a kind of disregard for others which endangers the most fundamental principles of a healthy society. The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in word, in action and in law. Homosexuals must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.

REF: Joseph Osei Bonsu, Catholic Beliefs and Practices, (Takoradi, St. Francis Press Ltd), 2005