Dear Catholic Exchange:
Does the Catholic Church take a stance on whether or not homosexuality is genetic? If so, what is her stance?
Karen
Dear Karen,
Peace in Christ!
While discussing the moral and pastoral aspects of homosexuality, the Church simply reports that the causes are not known. For example, the Catechism, no. 2357, says “Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained.” This is not to separate faith and reason. While the nature v. nurture question is more for science to answer, the 1986 Letter to Bishops (see link below) characterizes the Catholic moral perspective as “a perspective which finds support in the more secure findings of the natural sciences.”
Furthermore, “the Catholic moral viewpoint is founded on human reason illumined by faith and is consciously motivated by the desire to do the will of God our Father. The Church is thus in a position to learn from scientific discovery but also to transcend the horizons of science and to be confident that her more global vision does greater justice to the rich reality of the human person in his spiritual and physical dimensions, created by God and heir, by grace, to eternal life” (Letter to Bishops, no. 2).
I would imagine, then, that if the nature v. nurture question is resolved, at the very least the Church will incorporate the findings of science into guidelines for the pastoral care of homosexual persons.
Please read:
Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church: On the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons
Considerations Regarding Proposals To Give Legal Recognition To Unions Between Homosexual Persons
United in the Faith,
Eric Stoutz
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
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