Prof. Rodney Moss, Johannesburg

A 10-point document entitled - Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions between Homosexual Persons - was released on July 31^st 2003 by the Congregation of the Faith.

This document rebuts popular arguments in favor of same sex "marriage" and other forms of the legal recognition of homosexuality. It states clearly that men and women with homosexual tendencies "…must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard must be avoided."

(para. 4 quoting "Catechism of the Catholic Church" number 2358).

The question at issue is that of unjust discrimination. Is it unjust to deny homosexual persons living in same sex unions the social and legal status of marriage? The document states: "The denial of the social and legal status of marriage to forms of cohabitation that are not and cannot be marital is not opposed to justice; on the contrary, justice demands it." (para. 8) But why is this so? The legal recognition of homosexual unions would lead to a redefinition of marriage; the marriage between a man and a woman would be only one possible form of marriage. Thus, according to the Document, "…the concept of marriage would undergo a radical transformation with grave detriment to the common good." (emphasis mine) Justice unrelated to the common good is unacceptable to the moral order. The document continues: "It would be gravely unjust to sacrifice the common good and just laws on the family in order to protect personal goods that can and must be guaranteed in ways that do not harm the body of society". (para. 9) In similar vein, a recent statement by the Bishops of Connecticut has stated: "Respect for the uniqueness of marriage does not imply disrespect for those who cannot marry." (Statement of the Connecticut Catholic Conference. July 31^st, 2003)

In summary, then, the church’s on homosexuality is both balanced and compassionate yet it affirms truth. On the one hand, she cannot support completely gay rights activists for she rejects the legitimacy of the gay "marriages" and homosexual acts: yet, on the other hand, she does condemn unjust discrimination against homosexually orientated people and calls for sensitivity and respect.