L.G.B.T.

Dear Parishioners,

In many circumstances today we see the letters L.G.B.T. used on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.  Political candidates have indicated their L.G.B.T. support.  National attention was recently drawn to the Orlando nightclub shooting where the victims were identified as belonging to the L.G.B.T. community.  During my retreat last week at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, one of the many talks presented to the priests, deacons and seminarians concerned the Catholic Church and its teachings and relationship with people who identify themselves by one of these designations.

I was particularly moved during the presentation by David Prosen, a member of Courage, an international apostolate of the Catholic Church ministering to persons with same-sex attractions (SSA).  David told his personal story, the conclusion of which can be summarized as follows:  “I know that I am a Catholic man.  That’s my identity.  I used to think I was gay.  I’m not gay.  I am David, a Catholic man.”

In essence, David no longer labeled himself as gay, but rather saw himself in light of his baptism into Christ Jesus.  David was an adopted child of God, first and foremost.  His same-sex attraction—which he has struggled with all his life and he continues to have—did not make him who he was.

 

David’s testimony led me to do some homework.  He gave us a list of materials and encouraged us to look into the matter in more depth.  I refer you to a 40 minute online video entitled:  The Third Way:  Homosexuality and the Catholic Church (www.blackstonefilms.org).  This relatively recent film (4/27/14) accurately captures the Catholic Church’s teaching and provides a beautifully, pastoral approach to understanding people with same-sex attraction.

More than likely, we have known someone who has a same-sex attraction.  Whether they are “out” or not is irrelevant.  We all need to remember that people are greater than their sexual attraction.  All normal human beings have a sexual attraction.  Yet, my sexual attraction does not primarily define me and your sexual attraction does not primarily define who you are.  Rather, I am Fr. Ed, a baptized Catholic man and an ordained priest.  I attempt to live a chaste life, as we are all called to live chastity.  This is done by a married person being completely faithful to his or her spouse lifelong.  For a single person, a religious or a priest it means not engaging in sexual activities or having relations outside of the marriage covenant, regardless of sexual-orientation.

(What is written here does not attempt to explain fully the reason the Catholic Church cannot sanction gay marriages.  That is a topic for another day.)

However, I encourage all people to see each other in a manner similar to St. Paul:  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3: 28)

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

The Courage to be Chaste

Dear Parishioners,

Years ago (in 1985), when I was still attending the seminary, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR wrote a book entitled:  The Courage to be Chaste.  As with all of Fr. Groeschel’s books, I highly recommend this one.

Chastity simply means being sexually pure according to one’s state in life.  For a single, unmarried person, it means refraining from all sexual activity (if and until one chooses to marry).  For married persons, it means to be faithful and exclusive in all sexual activity with one’s spouse.  For Catholic priests or religious, it means that we ordinarily remain celibate (promising not to marry) and thus are called to live purely, in a type of consecrated, single life dedicated to God.

I sincerely think that most people who have walked this earth have struggled at one time or another with being chaste.  After all, a normal, healthy person has a sex drive which urges us to “be fertile and multiply” (Gn. 1:28) as the bible states.  As we understand this drive to have its origin in God, it is good and needs to be seen as such.  It is when sex is taken out of the parameters of the Christian, biblical understanding of a marriage, that it becomes problematic and, in fact, sinful.

We have recently seen grave sexual scandals, once again, come to the forefront within the Church and in the secular world, right in the neighboring state of Pennsylvania.  Is that the only area where we are going to find such problems?  Absolutely not.  I think that this is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.

As long as we live in a sexually charged society, where pornography is as easily accessible as turning on a computer, TV or even using a phone, where traditional sexual morals are seen as passé, where abuse and lack of regard for human life has had our popes warning us about a “culture of death,” where the breakdown of the traditional family is so evident, where contraceptives are as easily available as buying candy at the convenience store, we are going to continue to have problems—severe problems.  Sadly, I think it’s inevitable.

Sexual abuse in any form should never be tolerated.  No one is above God’s moral laws.  Although there is usually shame and fear by those who are abused, they should seek the proper help and counsel and realize that they are victims in the situation.

In the meantime, we all have to work at being sexually pure and chaste.  The process is aided by a good prayer life and personal relationship with God, by seeking spiritual direction, forgiveness and counsel—especially in the Sacrament of Penance, by the frequent reception of Holy Communion, by channeling our energies into good, healthy activities (like exercise or sports), by avoiding the occasions of sin (for example, don’t surf the web or the TV channels for porn, don’t frequent bars looking to find “love”), etc., etc.  With the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pure and chaste, it is possible to live a chaste life in today’s world.  It won’t be easy, but it will be possible.

We all need the courage (with God’s grace) to be chaste.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor