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Dear friend,
The Bible does not have explicit references to modern
reproductive technologies, as you rightly point out,
because they are not relevant to the time. That being
said, there are principles which are the foundation
of our sexual morality, which are scriptural, and
indeed relevant and critical given the pace at which
technology advances.
To give you a very short summary: Sex is the expression
of marriage — therefore it requires a man and
a woman. (Same-sex marriage does not count because
it is not a licit marriage). For the sexual act to
be licit, it must not deliberately frustrate either
the procreative or unitive elements. In other words,
it must be open to life (no artificial
birth control) and must signify the two as
one in the conjugal act. You can't just
take the sperm and egg, put them in a dish and make
a person without the act that is meant
to be the expression of love from which a new person
comes forth.
There are technologies that can assist couples that
are suffering fertility issues that are licit but
that is beyond the scope of this response.
Lastly, homosexuality, as a disposition of same-sex
attraction, is not sinful, although it is disordered.
(The natural object of male sexuality is the female — the biological
evidence of this is the simple complementarity of
the reproductive organs: the penis and vagina go
together.)
Sin consists in actions. A homosexually-oriented
person who acts on the impulses by having sexual
activity with the same sex is committing sin. If
he were to engage in willing fantasy or other mental acts
that deliberately foster the sexual impulses he would
also be committing sin. Jesus said to his disciples,
I tell you that a man who looks at a woman
lustfully already has committed adultery with he . . . (Matthew 5:27-28)
can be applied to both sexes. We might find that
keeping our mind and body pure is difficult but
it is possible with God's help.
I would counsel any person, Catholic, or not, to
follow Jesus and seek His Will for their life. They
can find support to live a chaste life in groups
like Courage. (One
of my good friends is a homosexually-oriented person
who started such a group in his area.)
You said:
- What should be told to people who were
Catholic before they realized they were homosexual?
They need
understanding and compassion, support and encouragement,
but above all, they need love to help salve the wounds
of loneliness they sometimes feel.
Peace be with you,
Bob Kirby
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