Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
(October 10, 1986)
1. The issue of homosexuality and the moral evaluation of homosexual acts has become increasingly subject to public debate, even in Catholic circles.
2. Of course in this location can not be dealt with an exhaustive treatment of this complex issue, rather will focus attention on the specific context of Catholic moral perspective. It also finds comfort in the results of certain human sciences, which also have an object and a method of their own, that have legitimate autonomy.
The position of Catholic morality is founded on human reason illumined by faith and guided by the need to consciously do the will of God, our Father. In this way the Church is not only able to learn from scientific discoveries, but also to transcend the horizon, it is certain that his vision is fuller than the complex reality of the human person, in his bodily and spiritual dimensions, was created by God and by his grace, called to be the heir of eternal life.
Only within this context, it can therefore be clearly understood in the sense that the phenomenon of homosexuality, with its vast size and its effects on society and ecclesial life, is a problem in itself the pastoral concern of the Church. Therefore, his ministers are required careful study, real commitment and honest reflection, theologically balanced.
3. Already in the Declaration on Certain Questions Concerning Sexual Ethics, 29 December 1975, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith had explicitly addressed this problem. In the Declaration emphasized the duty to seek to understand the homosexual condition, and observed how the guilt of homosexual acts should be judged with prudence. At the same time the Congregation took note of the distinction commonly drawn between the condition and trend homosexuality and homosexual acts. These were described as acts that are deprived of their essential and indispensable finality, as "intrinsically disordered" and those that can not be approved under any circumstances (cf. n. 8, para 4).
However in the discussion that followed the publication of the Declaration of the proposals were overly benign interpretation of the homosexual condition itself, so that someone went so far as to call it indifferent or even good. Instead, you must specify the particular inclination of the homosexual person, although it is not sin in itself, is However, a tendency, more or less, toward an intrinsic moral evil from the point of view. For this reason, the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder.
Therefore, those who are in this condition should be the subject of a special pastoral concern lest they be led to believe that the implementation of this orientation in homosexual activity is a morally acceptable option.
The Church, obedient to the Lord who founded her and gave her the sacramental life, celebrates in the sacrament of marriage drawing divine love and life-giving union of man and woman. It 's just a marital relationship that the use of the sexual faculty can be morally good. Thus a person who behaves in homosexual acts immorally. Choose
sexual activity with someone of the same sex is equivalent to annul the rich symbolism and meaning, not to mention the purpose of the Creator's plan in regard to the sexual reality. Homosexual activity does not express complementary union, able to transmit life, and thus thwarts the call to a life lived in that form of self-giving, according to the Gospel, is the very essence of Christian life. This does not mean that homosexual persons are not often generous and giving of themselves do not, but when they engage in homosexual activity, they reinforce within themselves a disordered sexual inclination, itself characterized from attitudes.
As with any other moral disorder, homosexual activity prevents the self-fulfillment and happiness because it is contrary to the creative wisdom of God when to reject the erroneous teachings regarding homosexuality, the Church does not reduce but rather defends personal freedom and human dignity, understood in a realistic and authentic.
Rome at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, October 10, 1986.Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger Prefect
+ ALBERTO BOVONE
Arc. tit. of Caesarea in Numidia Secretary
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