by Bob Sullivan
The Congregation For the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF)1 recently released a declaration on whether clergy could bless same-sex unions.
It is a good idea to read the actual CDF document, which is very short.
It is important to know what the CDF actually said because LGBT advocates such as Elton John, other celebrities you have never heard of, and some woefully misguided priests such as Father Bryan Massingale and Father James Martin S.J., are voicing shock and applauding defiance.
The reason the declaration was necessary was because “some ecclesial contexts” (the German Bishops’ Conference) were proposing that it is appropriate to bless same-sex couples.
It is not appropriate to bless these relationships because “when a blessing is invoked on particular human relationships, in addition to the right intention of those who participate, it is necessary that what is blessed be objectively and positively ordered to receive and express grace, according to the designs of God inscribed in creation, and fully revealed by Christ the Lord.” These unions are not ordered to God’s plan.
The CDF explains that blessings are made possible by God. Therefore, the Church has no authority to bless things or people which are contrary to, or living contrary to, God’s teachings revealed through Scripture and 20 centuries of Church teaching. The Church is equally incapable of blessing other relationships which involve sex outside of marriage, not just homosexual relationships, which always involve sex outside of marriage.2
The CDF’s declaration is not a shocker for those of us who understand the teachings of the Catholic faith regarding human sexuality, especially for those of us who understand these teachings and agree with them. Yet, there are those who were shocked. Some of these people are bishops and priests. That is very unfortunate.
For this very reason, the CDF clarifies that Catholics (specifically pastors), “are called to welcome with respect and sensitivity persons with homosexual inclinations.” Does this mean that we are to affirm their homosexual desires and behaviors and tell them not to worry about God’s condemnation of sex outside of marriage? No. While this appears to be the tactic of people like Father James Martin S.J., and Father Bryan Massingale, this is terribly dishonest and harmful. The CDF explicitly states that pastors “will know how to find the most appropriate ways, consistent with Church teaching, to proclaim to them the Gospel in its fullness.”
The “Gospel in all its fullness” includes the call to repentance and virtue. Regardless of the sinful behavior, whether it is dishonesty, idolatry, theft, homosexual sex, or heterosexual sex outside of marriage, the Gospel begins with “repent” (Mark 1:15).
This has been the teaching of the Church since the day when Christ began choosing the 12 Apostles, and this teaching has never changed, been altered, or been diminished.
The Church has always taught that sex outside of marriage, including homosexual sex, is sinful, immoral, and contrary to God’s will for marriage and family. God has created marriage as a natural institution. Marriage is a permanent bond between a man and woman, in which sexual intercourse is ordered toward the procreation and education of children and for the love of spouses. Anything falling short of this is sinful.
The CDF also clarifies that there is no prohibition from blessing individuals who experience same-sex attraction, but who possess the will to live in fidelity to the revealed plans of God as proposed by Church teaching. This shines a spotlight on the teaching that we can love the sinner but hate the sin. If a person is striving to live according to the Gospel, that is what matters, not the person’s failures or falls. Proudly waiving the rainbow flag is not “striving to live according to the Gospel.” Nor is engaging in sex outside of marriage, including but not limited to homosexual sex.
So, what can the Church do for people in same-sex sexual relationships? The CDF answers that question in their declaration too: The Church (that is you and me) must pray for them, accompany them (in truth) and share their journey of Christian faith. Note that this does not include encouraging or affirming homosexual sex.
The CDF wisely points out that to bless same-sex relationships would give the appearance of approving and encouraging a choice and a way of life that cannot be recognized as objectively ordered to the revealed plans of God. In other words, it would be misleading people and potentially causing some to spend eternity in indescribable suffering and agony. No Christian would wish that on anyone.
1 The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) is the Vatican body which deals with the worldwide promotion and protection of the Catholic faith. It is a very important body in the Church.
2 A same-sex relationship which does not involve sex outside of marriage is often called a friendship.
