The Pro-Life Forum on Same-sex Attraction
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Homosexuality has become one of the “red flag” issues in Church and in society today. Gay rights advocates and activists are pushing a strong political agenda from the left, including civil recognition of same-sex marriage. At the other end are the religious right, who not only oppose these political inroads, but also have resorted to some measure of gay bashing. Caught in the middle are many of us, who are left either in despair, confused, or, at the very least, disconcerted. Where does the Catholic Church stand in all these?
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Richard Sparks, C.S.P., says in his article What the Church Teaches About Homosexuality (), “…the Catholic Church in recent decades has striven to chart a mid-course, one that is moral, yet pastoral, true to our sexual tradition, yet, not inflexible and intolerant.” The Pro-Life Forum, which was conducted last June 21, 2008 at the Good Shepherd Convent’s Bahay-Ugnayan in Quezon City and attended by representatives of various schools, church-based organizations, seminaries, and NGOs, expounded on this theme.
Entitled “Same-sex Attraction: A Journey from Homosexuality To Holiness,” the forum focused on the spiritual hope for men and women struggling with same-same attraction, and on how they can live a chaste and holy life. Specifically, Rolando de los Reyes II, forum facilitator and officer/counselor of Courage Philippines, discussed the origins of homosexuality and presented the moral and pastoral perspective on how to care for our gay loved ones. He emphasized that, like all of us, persons with same-sex attraction are also called by God to holiness and sainthood. It may be a struggle for them, but Mr. de los Reyes appealed to “feed them with your love and acceptance, then, they will be able to resist and continue to be strong.”
Courage Philippines is an organization that offers a spiritual support system designed to assist men and women struggling with same-sex attraction in living chaste lives in prayer, fellowship, truth, and love in obedience to the teachings of the Catholic Church. If you are interested in touching base with them, call our Pro-Life office for their contact numbers.
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