EDITORIAL

The Church welcomes gays

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The world, provoked by recent media attention, was eagerly awaiting news from the Vatican announcing sweeping changes. As this year’s Synod of Bishops came to a close, it was anticipated by some that the Church would make some new advancements and announce that gay men and women are now a welcomed part of the faith community.

Perhaps looking forward should begin by looking back. The Church has never more simply and explicitly stated its understanding on homosexuality than in the 1994 Catechism of the Catholic Church. In it, She states very clearly her recognition that there exists a body of the population that experiences same-sex attractions. She states clearly that these men and women must be welcomed and accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. The Catechism teaches that every sign of unjust discrimination should be avoided.

At the same time, in that compassion and love that is the Church, she challenges these children of God to fulfill his will in their lives, if necessary by seeing themselves in the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross when experiencing difficulties they may encounter.

Those who seek change in the Church are best served by first seeking understanding of what the Church already teaches. Christ’s church subsists most completely in the Catholic Church. We have seen what secular changes have done to many other churches that claimed unsubstantiated reform was the way to go. If gay men and women are going to find true peace and welcome in any Church, while at the same time be challenged and encouraged to live the fullness of a life in Christ, it is going to be in the Catholic Church.