Theological Reflections on Homosexuality

This afternoon, a Pride parade was held on the campus of U.P. Diliman, leading to various reactions and responses among the Christian faithful. The Catholic Church’s teachings on homosexuality are clear, and it rightly distinguishes between homosexual tendencies (which are not in and of themselves sins) and homosexual actions (which are sins). This article, therefore, shall provide further reflections (which were first brought up to me by a friend) which can be useful for Catholics who seek to remain faithful to the Truth.

The theological question of homosexuality requires us to look into the interplay between Catholic psychology and grace. The Catholic Church actually has a rich academic tradition that deals with the subject of psychological philosophy. It is crucial that we do not neglect this tradition in favor of more fashionable psychological theories.

Furthermore, it is important for us to remember that the person with homosexual tendencies has a very unique calling within the People of God. This is due to the particular conditions of his or her life. The correct response, therefore, is to affirm what the Church affirms of homosexual persons not merely “in spite of” their homosexual tendencies, but in some way “in light of” them.

This is especially true given that persons with homosexual inclinations are not disposed to enter the conventional vocations of marriage, priesthood, or religious life (specifically, living in common). Nevertheless, there is always a place for everyone, from all conditions of life, to serve the Church according to their particular gifts, abilities, and conditions. It is therefore up to the Church to determine what this vocation and calling entails.

Indeed, Christian theology affirms that the Cross of Christ became a tree of life for us (“inter omnes arbor una nobilis”). This can be applied to those individual crosses that all Christians must carry (Mt 16,24). Everyone, both believers and unbelievers, will suffer --- but the great thing about the Passion of Christ is that all of us may now unite our sufferings with His.

In other words, Christ’s Incarnation and Passion establishes the possibility for mankind to enter into a relationship of compassion and empathy with Him who is both God and Man. The crosses we carry, therefore, can become meritorious on account of the graces dispensed at the foot of the True Cross.

This is not any less true for persons with homosexual tendencies. These tendencies, as well as those secondary sufferings that come on account of these tendencies (such as the struggle for chastity, loneliness, mistreatment, etc.), constitute a particular cross for such persons which, if united with the Passion of Jesus Christ, can merit much by virtue of the True Cross.

It is also important to explain why homosexual actions are harmful to souls beyond the plain fact that they are sinful. There is obviously the argument from natural law and the goods of marriage, but we must still take extra steps to ensure that the relevant principles and reasons are communicated clearly to the average person. For these things to be communicated properly, however, there must be great precision at the highest levels of theological inquiry, for a small error (writes St. Thomas) becomes a big one in the end.

Finally, it is crucial for Catholics engaged in popular discourse to re-evaluate popular slogans used among both sides of the discourse in light of both Church doctrine and Catholic philosophy. People often identify Catholic teachings with assumed ways of thinking which, though convenient, may not always be fully identical to what the Church actually thinks. For example, can a sinful relationship (such as a homosexual one) still contain love? These questions are crucial for Catholic leaders to navigate the complex realities of human interaction and motivation.

All in all, it is possible for the Church to have a renewed engagement with persons of homosexual orientation while remaining consistently faithful to Her own teachings. This, however, requires the constant guidance of the Holy Spirit which Christ promised to His Church upon His Ascension into Heaven, the gates of which have been opened to those who abide in Him.

Daniel Tyler Chua is the founder and president of the Collegium Perulae Orientis. He is also a contributor to the Philippine Daily Inquirer and The Sentinel PH.