Reply #233: The doctrine, I think, is worse than practice [View All]

[imenja]

At least as far as most parishes in the US. Experiences vary greatly, but many of us have never heard our priests discuss homosexuality. I attended Catholic school for junior high and high school and never once heard the nuns, priests, or brothers discuss homosexuality or masturbation. We had sex education classes that taught us about birth control. I remember the nuns passing around condoms for us to examine. My eight grade teacher was a nun who became a city alderwoman and a champion of gay rights in our city. When she died, her funeral was attended by hundreds of gay men and women who valued her contributions. On the other hand, some young gays have suffered appalling circumstances in Catholic schools and in their churches. Some Catholic clergy have aligned themselves with the Christian right, while others continue as leftist activists. What Catholic practice is varies so greatly, that it is difficult to characterize as easily as most detractors would like to do. The Church is both reactionary and progressive, and what quality it takes on depends on the parish.


The Vatican's more recent statements on homosexuality are also available on the website, in addition to Persona Humana, which condemns virtually every sexual practice in which humans engage. The document is startlingly archaic. My only point was that it is useful to read the original document rather than relying on press reports. I also asked that people make an effort to understand what it actually says. They will certainly find themselves outraged at the Vatican's words, as do I. I would think there would be some advantage in understanding that which one opposes.