Selfish sex = Lust
·
Sexual desire is given by God, but if used
selfishly it is called lust.
·
Lust = a person makes use of another person as
an object
·
Chastity is the virtue that helps us express
love in purity and truthfulness, the freedom to love as God loves
Chastity comes from respecting others and ourselves
What the Church says about…
|
Pornography ·
Turns sex (God’s gift) into entertainment ·
Hurts the dignity of the participants and viewers
·
Looking at another person with lust is
adultery in our hearts (Matthew 5: 28) |
Sex
outside marriage ·
Abuses sex, which is a gift from God for
husbands and wives ·
Against the dignity of persons (CCC 2353) ·
“Sexual intercourse should take place only within marriage” –
Declaration on Certain Problems in Sexual Ethics, Vatican |
|
Prostitution ·
Hurts dignity of the person, reduces him/her
to an object ·
The customer offends his/her body which is the
temple of the Holy Spirit. ·
God is merciful to those who are forced into
it because of poverty, blackmail, or social pressure. (CCC 2355) |
Masturbation ·
The deliberate use of the sexual faculty, for
whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose
(CCC 2352) ·
Moral responsibility depends on immaturity,
force of habit, anxiety or other psychological or social factors (CCC 2352) |
|
Contraceptives ·
Couples can follow their natural body
processes e.g., when they are fertile or infertile, to choose when to be
parents (responsible parenthood) (CCC 2368) ·
But couples who use contraceptives are not
open to life (CCC 2370) ·
If contraception “fails” then is the next step
abortion? |
Homosexuality ·
Being attracted to the same gender is not a
sin ·
Acting on it in lust = sin (same as those
attracted to opposite gender) ·
Homosexual acts are not approved as they do
not lead to the gift of life (CCC 2357) |
What is our identity?
- We are ALL made in the image of God
- By Baptism we become children of God, this is true identity
- Our sexual orientation or gender is NOT our identity
- We identity is not “straight” or “LGBTQIA+” because that is not our deepest identity –
- Our true identity is that we are loved by God, redeemed by the blood of Christ, and children of God.
Should Catholics discriminate?
·
The Church regards everyone, regardless of
sexual orientation
·
All of us are worthy of God’s love and mercy, and
deserve equal respect..
·
The Church, through the eyes of Jesus, sees
people with same sex attraction as people who are unique and of infinite worth,
and especially loved by God as His children and heirs to eternal life.
·
The Church does not discriminate against persons
because of their sexuality
·
They “must be accepted with respect, compassion,
and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be
avoided.” (CCC #2358)
Do not allow discrimination or bullying
- Letter on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons, No. 10,
- “It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action.
- Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church’s pastors wherever it occurs.
- It reveals a kind of disregard for others which endangers the most fundamental principles of a healthy society.
- The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in word, in action and in law.”
Instead, journey towards holiness together
- As Christians, we have an obligation to welcome and accompany people who experience same-sex attraction with the same charity that we owe to every human being.
- “The Church does not teach that the experience of homosexual attraction is in itself sinful” (Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination, No. 5)
- No one is to be excluded from family, Church or society simply because of the attractions he or she experiences
- “You can advise them to pray, show goodwill, show them the way and accompany them along it.” Pope Francis, The Name of God is Mercy
The Church teaches that sexuality is for married love of man and woman
- “Sexuality is ordered to the conjugal (married) love of man and woman.” (CCC #2360).
- EVERYONE regardless of married or single or heterosexual or homosexual is called to chastity (respect for the dignity of others, through our own self mastery)
- “These persons are called to fulfil God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.”
- In 1 Cor 6:9f, St Paul warns EVERYONE, regardless of heterosexuals or homosexuals, who do not observe chastity
The ultimate love is in God
- The deepest desires of the human heart are the desire to love and be loved, to be seen and accepted as oneself, to create life and family, to be trusted and needed
- These desires find their origin and fulfilment in God
- Friendship (not erotic or romantic) is a source of deeply fulfilling love
- The ultimate is our friendship with God, whose love satisfies every need.
“Tell me: When God looks at a gay person, does he endorse the existence of this person with love, or reject and condemn this person?’ We must always consider the person.” - Pope Francis
What can you do if you are a Catholic teen and attracted to the same sex?
Courage Singapore, is a
ministry which helps men and women with same-sex attractions in living with
chastity http://courage.org.sg/
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