|
The Roman Catholic Church has always taught us that all sexual behavior is reserved for married couples who attempt to produce children. The Catholic Church proclaims the nature of sex is both unitive and procreative; therefore, same-sex behavior is an objectively disordered sinful act that is unfaithful to God’s design.
When we learn through any sinful act that love and sex are connected, our sexual arousal patterns are formed in error. Then we must painfully struggle to gain a good conscience, while attacked by ideas about sex that have nothing to do with marriage and family life. We must remind one another that it is not our fault or our choice to have immoral desires, but with God’s grace we can distract ourselves from impure thoughts to avoid bad behavior. Holiness is humanly possible.
Ideas prevalent in U.S. culture that are based on inaccurate reports by the media have led some people to mistakenly believe that, where human sexuality is concerned, the Catholic Church is operating on outdated information. Relevant information is often filtered out by politically charged opposition.
The Catholic Medical Association, the Society of Catholic Social Scientists and the Christian Medical and Dental Associations have issued formal statements to the effect that “acting on homosexual attraction is voluntary” and “homosexual behavior can be changed.” Also, the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality asserts, “The public must be made aware that some homosexual people do seek and achieve change. The change is neither quick nor easy, but many believe – as we do – that the goal is a worthy one.” These organizations are among the many research-based organizations that oppose the claim that homosexuality is genetic.
Neuroscientist and “gay” activist Simon LeVay said recently, “Time and again I have been described as someone who ‘proved that homosexuality is genetic’ … I did not. Homosexuality is a behavior that anyone might be tempted to engage in.” He has supported reorientation therapy for people with unwanted same-sex attractions.
Dr. Robert Spitzer was involved in the removal of homosexuality from the American Psychiatric Association’s list of mental disorders in 1973. As chief of the New York State Psychiatric Institute’s Biometrics Research Department, he recently began to promote reorientation psychotherapy. His 2003 article, “Can Some Gay Men and Lesbians Change Their Sexual Orientation? 200 Participants Reporting a Change From Homosexual to Heterosexual Orientation” appeared with 26 peer commentaries in the Archives of Sexual Behavior (32: 399-472).
“Sexual plasticity” is the term that is used by scientific researchers to describe the fluidity and flexibility in human sexual arousal patterns. Our sexual arousal template can be shaped and altered by many things, including religion, culture, abuse, exploitation, and pornography. Exposure to same-sex attraction and same-sex behavior in our media is also affecting the sexual thought patterns, desires and behaviors of many people. Changing a person’s sexual appetite requires four to twelve weeks of abstinence from all sexual fantasy and sexual behavior combined with appropriate psychotherapy and adequate social support.
The American Catholic Bishops called for “a special degree of pastoral understanding and care” to address this ministry need in 1976. Father John Harvey has responded by modeling respect for the dignity of people with same-sex attraction in his role as the international director of Courage for 25 years. He promotes the Catholic Church teaching that “under no circumstances can same-sex behavior be approved, but same-sex attraction is not a personal sin and it does not make a person sick or perverse.”
In the past 25 years, many dioceses have endorsed the ministry of Courage to provide the necessary spiritual support by offering respectful, compassionate help for people who experience same-sex attraction.
Numerous other ministries also provide biblical guidance and chaste friendships as refuge to reduce and eliminate unwanted homoerotic attractions, such as JONAH for Jews, Evergreen for Mormons, and Exodus International for Christians of all denominations.
Homosexuals Anonymous is the primary 12-step program that offers group support for chaste living to people with same-sex attraction. Sexaholics Anonymous groups help people to recover from any type of romantic or sexual addiction, and it is faithful to Catholic Church teachings in all areas, including that of same-sex attraction. Sadly, the pathway to peace and joy in the lived experiences of these people has been buried beneath an unrelenting political agenda.
Our emotions or habits may oppress our awareness of the nature of our free will and the grace of God to assist us in all our trials. It is Jesus who makes it possible for our soul to feel its worth, regardless of our sinful thoughts, our errors in judgment, or our behavior choices. The light of Truth affirms the goodness of God-given maleness and femaleness and the beautiful gift of human sexuality to enhance our social connection and our creative expression through marital and celibate chaste living.
Monica H. Breaux PhD, MSW is in private practice as a counselor for various issues for Family, Marriage, and Individuals and also provides Telephone & Skype counseling. She is an influential author and speaker at national conferences, parishes and high schools. Her ministry, (HumanlyPossible.net), has evolved into a lay ecclesial movement for people who recognize the injustice of sexual immorality, and respond with a personal commitment to healthy and holy sexual attitudes and behavior as a spiritual work of mercy. She was honored by Catholic Social Workers National Association as “2010 Catholic Social Worker of the Year.”
To view her Profile, click: http://www.catholictherapists.com/BreauxPhD
|
