Among Catholic homosexuals this December 2008, all is not "merry and gay," despite the holiday singing.While there was some consolation in the post-Prop 8 statement by California's Catholic bishops that they were not against equal rights for gays, the opposition from the Vatican to a United Nations' declaration against discrimination was deeply resented.
These opinions were related to me by homosexuals who are truly Catholic in belief and practice. The ambivalence of Catholicism towards homosexuality comes from the theological difference between potential and action. Put another way, Catholics do not believe it is sinful to BE gay: just to DO gay.
These rules are more or less the same as for heterosexuals who commit sin by out-of-marriage fornication or adultery. Except that in the case of homosexuals, those rules mandate a life without sexual fulfillment.
For centuries, the Church has supported Catholic homosexuals in their journey towards salvation. While gay monks and lesbian nuns in medieval monasteries and convents often remain anonymous, the names of Catholic homosexuals like Michelangelo and Gerard Manley Hopkins are well known.
Both men have left records of their struggles for chastity.
Not incidentally, both men were supremely talented artists. Some might even argue that they achieved their greatness in art and poetry, precisely because of the combination of their faith and homosexuality.
Moreover, advances in science tend to support the position that this sexual orientation results from genetic make-up. If so, the artistic talents of our homosexual brothers and sisters are also gifts of God.
I think these biological considerations may even force a theological rethinking of sexual contact among gays and lesbians.
At the very least, we can recognize the challenges they face in Christian living in a contemporary world that is permissive towards homosexuality in ways that did not obtain in previous ages.
In light of our Catholic history, it is distressing that some of us echo publicly the stance of Protestant Evangelicals and Fundamentalists who consider homosexuality itself to be sinful. For much the same reason, the refusal to use the civil title of marriage runs outside of Catholic teaching.
For us - and unlike most Protestants - marriage is a sacrament. If you are married in a civil ceremony outside the Church, you have not received the sacrament. In sum, the government can do or say what it will, but the Sacrament of Marriage is the exclusive realm of the Church.
Others have expounded at length on the pros and cons of the Catholic Church's political decisions about civil unions and civil marriage. I would like here to describe what some truly Catholic homosexuals would expect from the Church. The idea of a sacrament, I was told, would seem a reach too far since the biblical basis for the sacrament include the dimension of procreation.
In other words, just as Christ's love for the Church brings forth new members, the symbolism (not always realized) of being capable of children is essential for sacramental marriage, and, therefore, beyond gay unions.
However, not every Catholic is called to marriage. In fact, celibacy is generally considered a "higher state." Just as there is a Church ritual for pronouncing vows as a celibate priest or religious woman, could not the Church have a blessing ritual for gays who commit to living with each other? Such was the option described to me. The argument focused on the mutual support given to each partner in living up to the faith. If support for their celibacy was afforded to homosexuals who have lived in monasteries and convents, why not also lay persons?
I have not yet thought through this proposed form of Catholic acceptance of gay partnerships.
There certainly is an implicit premise here that once blessed in living together the relationship would provide constant temptation.
However, the commitment of partnership is supposed to end the temptation to the promiscuity of the so-called "gay lifestyle" in today's world. It seems unfair for the Church to take the talent and contributions to the faith from its homosexual members and not respond to their search for holiness.
Whatever our theological opinions, there are homosexuals in Catholic America who deserve our love and acceptance as fellow pilgrims in this imperfect world.
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Sotto Voce
(Source: CA)