Difficult Issues in Sexual Ethics: Homosexuality & Gender Presented by Rev. James T. Bretzke, S.J., S.T.D. Boston College bretzke@bc.edu

Some Starting Principles God created the whole world, and saw that it was good. The nature of the good is to be done and fostered, and evil is to be avoided Grace builds on nature and completes it Always follow your formed and informed conscience We come from God, made in God’s image (Imago Dei), and we are in the process of returning to God….

Cultural Transcendental Conscience 4 Basic Modalities or Ways of Being Truly Human Cultural Transcendental Conscience Sexual Each of these 4 Modalities Help to Constitute our Core Identity

CONSCIENCE-BASED MORAL LIVING Sanctuary of Conscience Sacred Place: Where we meet God Safe Place: No outside authority may enter “Conscience is the aboriginal Vicar of Christ” [Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, Letter to the Duke of Norfolk] Primacy of Conscience Always follow your conscience Even when “erroneous” Even if it would lead to excommunication [St. Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on the Sentences] But take care to form and inform

What’s Our Picture of Sex and Sexuality? And How Does Sin Fit Into This Picture?

Contra Naturam & “Intrinsically Disordered” Against the “nature” or purpose of a faculty of the human person, such as the faculty of sex ordered to procreation Thus, every form of non-procreative sexual activity is considered “intrinsically disordered” since it frustrates the “nature” of sexual relations in blocking procreation. Adultery, Bestiality, Fornication, Homogenital acts, Masturbation, Rape, etc. are all “disordered” acts Persons are not in themselves “disordered”

Deus impossibilia non iubet "God does not command of humans things which are impossible to do“ Key here is distinction between “moral” vs. “physical” possibility or impossibility Thus, God’s grace understood to always be present to enable people to do the morally correct thing, which is genuinely promotive of human flourishing. Yet, we must keep in mind that if something is morally impossible then it cannot be commanded by God, since it would harm rather than promote human flourishing.

The Physicalist Paradigm Moral obligation comes from following the physical or “natural” structure of the given “faculty” Thus, for the “faculty” of speech one must always communicate the truth To do otherwise would be to accept contra naturam [against the nature] of the faculty Moral possibility tends to be collapsed into physical possibility

Personalist Paradigm Begins with the individual human person In his or her concrete situation Looking at his or her personal attributes, needs, goals, desires Pays special attention to the relations with others (especially close relations) All these to some extent will be unique Moral “possibility” and “impossibility” as well will be necessarily subjective

Sexual Ethics in the Catechism Context of the Decalogue Tradition of the Church Vision of the Normatively Human Integration of Human Experience Image from http://joshdelacy.com/project/pillow-talk-improving-dialogue-about-christian-sexuality/ (accessed March 5, 2017)

Sexuality as Human Modality 2332 Sexuality affects all aspects of the human person in the unity of his body and soul. It especially concerns affectivity, the capacity to love and to procreate, and in a more general way the aptitude for forming bonds of communion with others. 2333 Everyone, man and woman, should acknowledge and accept his sexual identity.

The Vocation of Chastity 2337 Chastity means the successful integration of sexuality within the person and thus the inner unity of man in his bodily and spiritual being. Sexuality, in which man's belonging to the bodily and biological world is expressed, becomes personal and truly human when it is integrated into the relationship of one person to another, in the complete and lifelong mutual gift of a man and a woman.

Personal Integrity of Sexuality 2338 The chaste person maintains the integrity of the powers of life and love placed in him. This integrity ensures the unity of the person; it is opposed to any behavior that would impair it. It tolerates neither a double life nor duplicity in speech.

Male and Female Created Male and female God created them, and God blessed them and named them Human when they were created. CCC 2335

A Difficult Issue for Sexual Ethics Homosexuality in Catholic Moral Theology & Pastoral Practice

Catechism & Homosexuality 2357 “Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexuality as a grave depravity, tradition has always declared that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered. They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.”

Issues Angle Judgment Angle Application Angle Assumptions Features Principles Strategies Truth Claims Goals Judgment Angle Application Angle

Homosexuality Is NOT Chosen 2358 “They do not choose their condition. For most of them it is a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every form of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.”

Homosexuals Called to Chastity 2359 “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.”

The Disease Model Thus, in the Catechism of the Catholic Church the model of understanding homosexuality is analogous to a disease like diabetes or alcoholism. The diabetic or alcoholic is not considered sinful because of the condition, but is called upon to live a healthy life (e.g., watch diet, or no alcohol consumption). But….

Some Ask Though: Is the Analogy Completely Accurate? Those who would dispute this line of reasoning and conclusion would argue along these lines: If an alcoholic drinks the bad effects are clear But if a gay person establishes a loving, committed, stable, and monogamous relationship, where exactly is the analogous harm?

The Counter-Argument Sexuality is a gift from God and the basic modality of human being; every person is to live authentically his or her sexual identity Homosexuality is a basic orientation not freely chosen If a gay person were to marry someone of the opposite sex, this would be contra naturam

The Counter-Conclusion Therefore gay people are called to live authentically their sexual identity in ways that correspond to the human spiritual values of love and commitment And that for them this would be best done in a stable, committed, loving monogamous relationship And that this relationship would be a positive good

Truth Claims And Counter-Claims

Three Legs of Moral Discernment Openness to God’s Spirit Community Discussion Individual Effort

Prayer of St. Theresa Avila Christ has no body on earth but yours No hands on earth but your hands. Yours are the eyes through which He looks out with compassion on the world. Yours are the feet with which He chooses to go about doing good. For as He is the Head, so you are the members and we are all one in Christ Jesus.