In Agnieszka Ruck’s July 20 article about Catholics with same-sex attraction, she writes, “The Catechism of the Catholic Church says ‘homosexual acts’ are not ‘approved’ and calls on Catholics with same-sex attraction to live in chastity.”
While it is true that all those who struggle with same-sex attraction are to live chastely, the passage in the Catechism was not quoted correctly. Paragraph 2357 says, “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered” and “under no circumstances can they be approved.”
Omitting the words “are intrinsically disordered” immediately following “homosexual acts” and taking the word “approved” out of context distorts the meaning of the paragraph, which clearly states what homosexual acts are: disordered.
The word “disordered” is not a judgment against a person or people; it is the truthful description of an action contradicting the natural order created by God. Since homosexual acts can never be rightly ordered to the natural law, they can never be approved.
The word “approved” as used in the article may give the false impression that perhaps one day homosexual acts could be approved, which they cannot.
In encouraging Catholics (and others) struggling with same-sex attraction to live chastely, it is important to relay the truth stated in the Catechism clearly, without ambiguity or confusion.
Geoff Moeller
Vancouver
It is always a pleasure to read about the saints with Father Anthony Ho. Does it not show the wideness of God’s love when we hear about such different and complex individuals?
St. Ephrem, who Father wrote about June 22, wrote a hymn on the nativity of Christ that is jaw dropping. Why are we so worried as Catholics to use the gifts that have given to us?
St. Ephrem (what a fitting name for a sensitive poet) certainly did not waste a second nor a gift, nor did he give in to fear.
Marianne Werner
Vancouver
