Homosexuality and Catholicism
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The Catholic Church considers Human sexual behavior that it sees as properly expressed to be sacred, almost sacramental in nature. Anal intercourse and homogenital acts are considered sinful because sexual acts, by their nature, are meant to be both unitive and procreative (mirroring God's inner Trinitarian life). The Church also understands the complementarity of the sexes to be part of God's plan. Same-gender sexual acts are incompatible with this framework:
"[H]omosexual acts are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved" ([1]).
These teachings are, of course, not limited to the issue of homosexuality, but is also the general background for the Catholic prohibitions against, for example, fornication, contraception, pornography, anal sex and masturbation.
To be sure, the Church has clearly stated that homosexual desires or attractions themselves are not necessarily sinful. They are said to be "disordered" in the sense that they tempt one to do something that is sinful (i.e., the homosexual act), but temptations beyond one's control are not considered sinful in and of themselves. For this reason, while the Church does oppose attempts to legitimize same-gender sexual acts, it also officially urges respect and love for those who do experience same-sex attractions, thus the Catholic Church is also opposed to persecutions and violence against the LGBT community:
"The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition." ([2])
For those who do experience same-sex attractions, the Catholic Church offers the following counsel:
"Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection" ([3]).
It should be noted that the Church considers the call to chastity to be universal to all persons according to their state in life. However, only heterosexual Catholics have the option of expressing their chastity through married love.
Terence Cardinal Cooke as Archbishop of New York City, saw a need for a ministry which would assist same-sex attracted Catholics in adhering to Vatican directives on sexual behaviour. Cooke invited John Harvey to New York to begin the work of Courage International with Benedict Groeschel, of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. The first meeting was held in September, 1980 at the Shrine of Mother Seton in South Ferry.
In 1997, the USCCB came out with a tract called always our children which some might find helpful. It articulates the most recent stance on homosexuality, especially as it relates to parents of homosexual children.
[edit] Homosexuality and priesthood
The Roman Catholic Church forbids the ordination of men who have "deeply rooted homosexual tendencies", as it is expressed in a 2005 document, called Instruction Concerning the Criteria for the Discernment of Vocations with regard to Persons with Homosexual Tendencies in view of their Admission to the Seminary and to Holy Orders. Men with "transitory" same-sex feelings could be eligible for ordination after three years of having moved on from this stage of their life. Comments from various bishops suggest that interpretations of the subject of this ban vary from diocese to diocese.
