Catholic New Times and homosexuality.

Toronto--A recent editorial of the Catholic New Times (CNT) May 9, '99, asks questions about homosexuality, which the editors designate as "a controversial subject" with "which they have grappled long and hard without finding answers." Hence the editorial board raises questions in the hope that some time in the future, these questions may act as bridges to possible answers.

While claiming to respect the Church's wisdom on sexuality, the CNT editorial board refuses to accept the Church's teaching on homosexuality.

"Isn't it possible", the editors ask, "that homosexuals also enter into the creative and redemptive mystery of sexuality through a loving and committed relationship that in turn brings life, not only to the two people involved but also to the wider community?"

The Church's answer has always been that homosexuality is a distorted sexual inclination and that homosexual acts are immoral. Immoral behaviour does not give rise to "life", no matter how popular it may be.

The CNT editors don't refer to the Church's teaching; instead they immediately proceed to accuse "present Church teaching" for leaving "many homosexuals with the forced alternative of either an isolated loneliness--often secret or suicidal--or the superficial intimacies of promiscuity."

Well, yes, those who don't accept the teaching of the Church--which is the teaching of Christ--are bound to blame her for deflating their own designs.

"Ahab came to meet Elijah," we read in the book of Kings (18:16-17), "and when he saw Elijah, said to him, 'Is it you, you disturber of Israel?' 'It is not I who disturb Israel', he answered, 'but you and your family, by forsaking the commands of the Lord and following the Baals.'"

The editors also ask a second question: "How does the primacy of the individual conscience, a principle that the Church has always recognized, figure in discussions about gay and lesbian relationships? Is the dignity of each person's and couple's educated conscience in discerning the call to love of God, self, and others being respected?"

Alas for the questioners! The Church has never taught that private conscience is above the law of Christ. Conscience does not abrogate the will of God; an "educated conscience", rather, is a conscience which has sought the truth and recognized it.