Feedback.Q: The part of Catholic teaching on homosexuality that I struggle with the most is ... That somehow their sin is greater than my own. All sins cause us to fall short, and I don't believe that one outweighs the other. Melissa Patterson Corona, Calif. I can't even start on this one. I find most of it to be unloving and unchristian. Marie Savage-Hopfauf Duvall, Wash. That homosexuals are "disordered." God made them the way God made them. How can we judge how God made someone? Name withheld Hoffman Estates Hoffman Estates A village of northeast Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Population: 49,700. , Ill. Pro-gay people's inability to comprehend that they are fallen--like all humans--and in need of God's guiding light. They only talk about changing the church, not themselves. Gabrielle LeBlanc Timisoara, Timi, Romania God made me a lesbian by nature, but I am told I can never form a loving relationship if I feel called to express that unity in a physical way. Name withheld Spokane, Wash. The concept that Catholic teaching be written into civil law. Chip Davis Louis F. "Chip" Davis, Jr. (born November 15, 1947 in Sylvania, Ohio) is the founder and leader of the "18th century classical rock" group Mannheim Steamroller. He also wrote the music for C.W. McCall, including the 1975 hit "Convoy". Tupelo, Miss. The attitude toward adoption of children. Loving a child transcends the sexual orientation sexual orientation n. The direction of one's sexual interest toward members of the same, opposite, or both sexes, especially a direction seen to be dictated by physiologic rather than sociologic forces. of the parent. A loving environment is much more beneficial to a child's life than an institution just caring for physical needs. Mary C. Schaaf Wheaton, Md. I'm not sure exactly what the teaching is, but I believe Christ wants us to find love and a loving relationship, including physical intimacy “Caress” redirects here. For other uses, see Caress (disambiguation). Physical intimacy is informal proximity and/or touching. It can be enjoyed by itself and/or be an expression , with a member of the gender we feel attracted to. Stephanie Young Stephanie Young is an American voice actor working for Funimation. She will be voicing Nico Robin in the upcoming Funimation adaptation of the popular anime One Piece. Roles
Chicago, Ill. As a gay man, why am I called specially to celibacy while everyone else gets to choose between sacramental marriage and chaste chaste adj. chast·er, chast·est 1. Morally pure in thought or conduct; decent and modest. 2. a. Not having experienced sexual intercourse; virginal. b. single lives? Any heterosexual couple will tell you there is more to sex than procreation PROCREATION. The generation of children; it is an act authorized by the law of nature: one of the principal ends of marriage is the procreation of children. Inst. tit. 2, in pr. and any celibate cel·i·bate n. 1. One who abstains from sexual intercourse, especially by reason of religious vows. 2. One who is unmarried. adj. 1. person will tell you that their calling to celibacy had little to do with their orientation. James Ludwig Springville, N.Y. Q: The best thing the church teaches about homosexuality is ... That it is most important that as Christians we must accept homosexuals and love them the same way we would love anyone else. Mildred Callow Lubbock, Texas “Lubbock” redirects here. For other uses, see Lubbock (disambiguation). Lubbock is the 10th-largest city in the state of Texas.[1] Located in the northwestern part of the state—a region known historically as the Llano Estacado Homosexuals--like heterosexuals--are called to live a chaste life outside of marriage. Cynthia Trainque Leominster, Mass. God made them and God loves them, but the union between them is not right. Mary Lou Eisenbeis Linden, Mich. The homosexual person is to be treated with "respect, compassion, and sensitivity." They should not be discriminated against. Pat Pope Elsmere, Ky. We cannot turn anyone away from God. We welcome anyone. Nancy Otting Mr. Juliet, Tenn. Q: The worst example I've heard of how the church has treated gays and lesbians is ... Refusing to let Dignity groups meet on church property, thus driving them to other denominations. Name withheld Burlington, Vt. The refusal of Eucharist to those wearing rainbow sashes at Mass. Joanne M. Pasko Akron, Ohio Akron is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County.GR6 The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio on the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland to the north and Canton to the south, approximately 60 miles (96 km) west of A person being told in the confessional that he was going to hell. Jeannine Gramick Jeannine Gramick, a Roman Catholic nun, was born in 1942 and educated in Catholic grade and high schools in Philadelphia. She moved to Baltimore in 1960 to join the School Sisters of Notre Dame. , S.L. Mr. Rainier, Md. I worked to begin a ministry to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered transgendered adjective Relating to a person who has undergone genital/sexual reassignment surgery Transgender health issues Hormonal therapy, cosmetic surgery, fertility options–eg, egg and sperm banking. See Sexual reassignment. Cf Transsexual. community in my parish. After a year of work, our pastor took a sabbatical sab·bat·i·cal also sab·bat·ic adj. 1. Relating to a sabbatical year. 2. Sabbatical also Sabbatic Relating or appropriate to the Sabbath as the day of rest. n. A sabbatical year. , and his replacement was hostile to our idea. He verbally assaulted my co-leader and me. Because of this I no longer attend my parish. A.J. Blackwood Cypress, Calif. The suggestion that gays should not be admitted to the seminaries. Not only are they not allowed to have sexual intimacy, but their enforced celibacy is considered second-rate! Name withheld Amherst, N.H. Silence on the issue. Name withheld Coeur D'Alene, Idaho Coeur d'Alene (IPA: [kɚ də liːn]) is the county seat and largest city of Kootenai County, Idaho, United States. In Philadelphia, the official diocesan newspaper ran a series that I believe promoted homophobia. The articles focused on research that pointed fingers at all the disordered and abnormal psychological situations that could lead to homosexuality--even the old theories of blaming strong mothers and weak father figures. Name withheld Wayne, Pa. Q: If a gay or lesbian person asked me why he or she should remain in the Catholic Church, I would say ... That we need their girls and talents and for them to be part of the church community. Doug and Natalie LaVerdiere Rockford, Mich. Don't bother. You can try, but eventually the pain becomes unbearable. When I finally acknowledged that God made me gay, I tried to stay in the church, but I realized that staying in a church that constantly condemns me was destroying my spirit. Terrie Schlitsey Johnson City Johnson City. 1 Village (1990 pop. 16,890), Broome co., S N.Y., in a tricity area including Endicott and Binghamton; inc. 1892. It has been noted for its Endicott-Johnson shoes. , N.Y. It will never change without your example and urging. Loretta Larkey De Pere De Pere (dĭ pēr), city (1990 pop. 16,569), Brown co., E central Wis., on the Fox River; inc. 1857; De Pere and West De Pere consolidated 1890. , Wis. There are problems in all the denominations, and there is a possible path forward with the Catholic Church. Name withheld New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , N.Y. General Comments My parish just welcomed an openly gay member through the RCIA RCIA Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults RCIA Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults RCIA Retail Clerks International Association RCIA Richmond Creative Investors Association RCIA Request for Clarity, Information & Assistance program. I rejoice in his presence and the many gifts he brings to our parish. I despise the negative attitudes of some parishioners toward him, and I pray I beg; I request; I entreat you; - used in asking a question, making a request, introducing a petition, etc.; as, Pray, allow me to go s>. See also: Pray for their enlightenment. Helen Bieda Ocean Springs, Miss. If biological development determines whether one is homosexual or heterosexual, the question is then begged as to why our loving God would create "in his own image and likeness" a person He found objectively sinful. Stephen H. Guerin Fayetteville, Tenn. I believe the gay movement is trying to force its beliefs down our throats. I am made to feel that I have a problem by not agreeing with them. Roberta Lizarraga Danville, Calif. As a gay man who was raised Catholic, I think gays and lesbians should just get on with their lives. Life is too short to be embroiled em·broil tr.v. em·broiled, em·broil·ing, em·broils 1. To involve in argument, contention, or hostile actions: "Avoid . . . in the politics of Catholicism. John Shea Brooklyn, N.Y. I am thoroughly against gay couples having children. It will be a burden for the children in their growing years. Clarence Neumann Racine, Wis. I feel as though many gay people who are in long, committed relationships might offer the heterosexual community--with half of its marriages ending in divorce--a better example of what it means to be faithful. Name withheld Loudonville, N.Y. It is very ironic that the church spends its energy and effort to cover and hide priests who are child molesters but condemns good and kind people for being gay. I will never understand that. Name withheld Oakland, Calif. Join the conversation--online. In addition to a sample of subscribers, all are invited to respond to U.S. CATHOLIC'S Reader Survey at www.uscatholic.org. This month, join U.S. CATHOLIC readers as they discuss whether the church is practicing what it preaches about labor unions. AND THE SURVEY SAYS ... 1. I think the church could do a better job pastoring gay and lesbian Catholics. agree 75% disagree 13% other 12% Note: Table made from bar graph. 2. Even if pastors do a good job of welcoming gays and lesbians, they also need to make clear that homosexual activity is not an option for a faithful Catholic. agree 47% disagree 38% other 15% Note: Table made from bar graph. Representative of "other": "It must be clear that any sexual activity outside of marriage is sinful." 3. I have a family member or close friend who is gay or lesbian. agree 60% disagree 32% other 8% Note: Table made from bar graph. 4. To me, the issues facing gays and lesbians in the church are: Very important. 46% Somewhat important. 38% Not very important. 8% Not an issue at all. 3% Other. 5% Note: Table made from bar graph. 5. My parish has a ministry or outreach to gays and lesbians.
yes 6%
no 75%
don't know 19%
Note: Table made from bar graph.
6. I believe gays and lesbians should: Be able to get married 23% legally. Be able to a have 45% civil commitment that is not equal to marriage. Not be able to have 23% their relationships officially recognized. Other. 9% Note: Table made from bar graph. These results are based on survey responses from 355 U.S. CATHOLIC readers and website visitors. |
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