Homosexuality and the Church

There are many gay and lesbian persons within the Catholic community who are seeking to integrate their faith and their sexual identity. Remembering the example of Jesus and his compassionate response to all those who came to him, the Church calls all of her members to loving and prayerful concern.

Any Catholic who discovers that he or she is gay or lesbian remains a full member of the Catholic Church and is encouraged, as are all Catholics, to live faithful to the Gospel and to participate in the life of a parish community.

The person who is homosexual, no less than any other member of the Catholic Church, is called to enter into the joys, burdens, and challenges of the Church's teachings on human sexuality.

The Church recognizes and regrets the distance and alienation experienced by many gay and lesbian Catholics and their parents. In response to this unfortunate situation, this ministry hopes to begin to heal misunderstandings and indifference and to build bridges of understanding and support to gay and lesbian Catholics, their families and friends.

Church Teachings on Homosexuality

The Catechism of the Catholic Church - nos. 2357-2359

Always Our Children: A Pastoral Message to Parents of Homosexual Children (U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1997)

To Live in Christ Jesus: A Pastoral Reflection on the Moral Life. (U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1976)

The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality (Pontifical Council for the Family, 1996)

Declaration on Certain Questions Concerning Sexual Ethics (Persona Humana) (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 1975)

Some Considerations Concerning the Catholic Response to Legislative Proposals on the Non-Discrimination of Homosexual Persons (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 1991)

Gay and Lesbian Family Ministry - Catholic Diocese of Cleveland