What does the Catholic Church teach about same sex attractions and gay marriage? Are homosexuals welcome in the Catholic Church?
Some men and women who struggle with same-sex attractions wonder if there’s any hope for them to be welcomed in or back to the Church. The answer to that question is an unambiguous “yes.” (Read here what the Catholic Church says about homosexuals and homosexual inclinations.) God calls each of us, whether homosexual or heterosexual, to chastity according to our circumstances in life. The Church is here to help all of us live in the light of truth.
One helpful and effective ministry helping homosexual believers is Courage. Here is an exerpt from their Web site:
“Are you or a loved one experiencing homosexual attractions and looking for answers?
Courage, an apostolate of the Roman Catholic Church, ministers to those with same-sex attractions and their loved ones. We have been endorsed by the Pontifical Council for the Family and our beloved John Paul II said of this ministry, “COURAGE is doing the work of God!” We also have an outreach called Encourage which ministers to relatives and friends of persons with same-sex attractions.
From our web site you will learn about homosexuality and chastity. By developing an interior life of chastity, which is the universal call to all Christians, one can move beyond the confines of the homosexual identity to a more complete one in Christ…
Come see what we are about. Browse our pages. Get to know our community. You’ll be glad you did!”
To learn more about homosexuality in light of the Church’s teachings, please explore the following resources. Remember, the Church is modeled after Christ, and works to share the truth and spread love throughout the world to each and every human being. But we must take time to understand why the Church teaches what she does. Only then can we embrace the truth and live according to it.
