"Dissent".

To comment on the article "Dissent on Vatican document in Canada" (April 2006), I would like to state first there are some of us who believe in the Catholic Church and its teachings, including the ones dealing with homosexuality and ordination of women priests.

To lump the two issues homosexuality and ordination of women priests together seems to take away from the consideration each deserves as a separate entity. In addition, by combining the two, I would say that those who would argue against the Church are hoping to elicit the support of either group for the cause of the other, and this is wrong. While some might feel that women need to take a more important role in the evangelization of the Catholic Church, they do not necessarily follow the new age thought that homosexuality is "ok." Dealing with these two issues in the same article gives the impression that both are the same and should be included in the same discussion. This letter is in response to the homosexuality issue.

Our society is one of rationalization--if it feels good, it must be good. But then again, just because some people say it's ok and are acting upon their misconceptions, that doesn't make it right. So many atrocities have been committed throughout history based on the misconceptions of a few people who have been able to convince a majority to their way of thinking. This article rightly states that homosexuality is wrong. We are taught this in the Scriptures. We are also taught this in Biology class. Our bodies also tell us this. A man's genitals do not fit with another man's genitals, nor does a woman's with another woman's. The tendency to be attracted to someone of the same sex could originate from all sorts of conflicting emotions and/or past experiences, and although compassion and forgiveness are needed by all who are affected by this tendency, homosexuality is still wrong. I believe this not just because of the Church teachings and what I have learned in school, but because it is a universal truth.

Christopher West, in his Good News about Sex & Marriage (2004), says it quite well. In this book, West discusses all aspects of love, sex, and marriage with a human voice, basing his arguments in Scripture, Catholic Church tradition, and truth. For example, when challenged with the question that is quite popular right now of what could possibly be wrong with two people of the same sex loving each other, West says, "There is absolutely nothing wrong with two persons of the same sex loving each other. But erotic love between two members of the same sex is an oxymoron. Love always chooses the good of the person loved. Love never does wrong or entices another to do so. Members of the same sex who truly love one another will never seek to engage in erotic behavior with each other specifically because of their love."

I would encourage all to read West's book. It not only defines sexuality, it presents encouraging good news about sexual love within the holy Sacrament of Marriage, and gives hope to those who feel that . there is no escape from their homosexuality. While West challenges the reader to acknowledge the truth, he also discusses God's message of forgiveness of others and of self, all within the guidelines of the Catholic Church. The prevailing theme of this book is one of love and understanding, and not once did I feel that West was being judgmental or hypocritical in his discussions. While the article in C.I. deals with what's been happening in the news, this book can go a long way towards answering the questions also brought to mind by the article.

High Prairie, AB