Synod is time to remember, not abandon, Church teaching on homosexuality
4 October 2014
ROME, 4 October 2014: The Synod on the Family is a time to remember, not abandon, the Catholic Church’s teachings on homosexuality, says Voice of the Family, an international coalition of pro-family organisations.
Voice of the Family https://voiceofthefamily.com made the statement from its operational base during the Synod near St Peter’s Square in Rome.
Maria Madise, Voice of the Family’s coordinator, said:
“The Catholic Church has clear teaching, not just on the disorder of homosexuality, but also on the pastoral care of homosexuals. In 1986, Pope St John Paul II approved a ‘Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons’, authored by then-Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
“This Letter made clear to bishops that any pastoral care for homosexuals given in dioceses must be in full accord with Catholic Church teaching.”
The Letter stated:
“No authentic pastoral programme will include organizations in which homosexual persons associate with each other without the programme clearly stating that homosexual activity is immoral. A truly pastoral approach will appreciate the need for homosexual persons to avoid the near occasions of sin.”
Miss Madise observed:
“This direction, however, was not really implemented. We have had virtual silence from the pulpits on this matter for decades. It is time to preach the truth in love, without fear of being castigated by secularists.
As the Vatican document says: ‘Departure from the Church’s teaching, or silence about it, in an effort to provide pastoral care is neither caring nor pastoral. Only what is true can ultimately be pastoral’.”
Patrick Buckley of Voice of the Family added:
“It is disingenuous to claim that the Church is failing homosexual people. The Church upholds the truth about human sexuality and is always compassionate to those who have same-sex attraction.
“In fact, persons with same-sex attraction who live chaste lives in today’s world are models for all people who struggle with temptations to sexual sin that we can with the grace of God overcome the lure of sin.”
Related releases/commentary from Voice of the Family:
- Pro-family coalition condemns bizarre Synod proposal by Algerian bishop
- Synod on the Family: potential for great hope or risk for Church and the world, says coalition
- Synod: strong lead by Cardinals Burke and Muller hailed by pro-family coalition
- Synod must affirm Church teaching “without ambiguity”, says pro-family group
- The Synod must be a source of clarity, not confusion
Voice of the Family is an international lay coalition of major pro-life and pro-family organizations that has formed to offer expertise and resources to leaders of the church, the media, NGOs, and governments before, during, and after the Catholic Church’s Synod on the Family. The Synod will be held from October 5 to 19 in Rome. We are supported by:
- Campaign Life Catholics
- Campaign Life Coalition Canada
- Catholic Voice
- Culture of Life Africa
- European Life Network
- Family Life International NZ
- Hnutí Pro život ČR
- Human Life International (HLI)
- LifeSiteNews.com
- National Association of Catholic Families (NACF)
- Profesionales por la Ética
- Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC)
The following truths are at the heart of Voice of the Family’s work:
- Sacramental marriage, binding parents together in an indissoluble union, is the greatest protector of children both born and unborn.
- The artificial separation of the unitive and procreative dimensions of the sexual act is a major catalyst of the culture of death.
- Parents are the primary educators of their children and it is through the education and formation of parents, and future parents, that the culture of life will be built.
Voice of the Family can be contacted by email to enquiry@voiceofthefamily.info or by telephone on +39 33 833 09443 (Italian mobile) or +44 (0)20 7820 3148 (UK landline)
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