The Linacre Quarterly

Volume 43 | Number 3 Article 7

August 1976 Hate the Sin But Love the Sinner. Sin? What Sin?? John F. Russell

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Recommended Citation Russell, John F. (1976) "Hate the Sin But Love the Sinner. Sin? What Sin??," The Linacre Quarterly: Vol. 43: No. 3, Article 7. Available at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/lnq/vol43/iss3/7 Hate the Sin But Love the Sinner. Sin? What Sin?? John F. Russell, J.D. (This is a greatly abbreviated theologians and others who have adaptation from a chapter in Dr. expressed their scholarly and oth­ Russell's cur r e n t book-length erwise knowledgeable views on manuscript on the homosexual the matter and the impact that issue in all the major religious de­ the various avenues of approach nominations in the United States. will have on church, society, and In gathering material for the especially the individual.) book, Dr. Russell, who has been The N ew Catholic Encyclope­ a professional scholar on organ­ dia describes the homosexual act ized homosexual activities for as a "grave transgression of the over two decades, has interviewed divine will." literally hundreds of religious and lay officials of all denominations Right? along with numerous gay activ­ The National Conference of ists. In addition, he has re­ Catholic B ish 0 p s , speaking searched well over 10,000 articles, through its Principles to Guide publications, and news items on Confessors in Questions of Homo­ the subject. The material present­ sexuality, says that homosexual ed here barely penetrates even practices are a "grave violation of this single aspect of the multi­ the law of God." fac eted scope of the total problem realized by the religious and lay Right? communities, homosexual and And the most recent expression heterosexual alike. by the Roman Catholic Church The present art i c l e refl ects on the subject, the "Declaration some points in the views of at on Certain Questions Concerning least a score of individuals, most Sexual Ethics," tells the faithful of whom are taking a position op­ that "no pastoral method can be posed to church tradition and employed which would give moral teaching on the issue of homosex­ justification to these acts" [i.e., uality. The points expressed in homosexual genital acts]. this short presentation might be Right? considered as headnotes since Thus it would appear that the they merely open the doors to the Catholic Church holds homosex­ considerable in-depth thoughts ual genital conduct to be serious and studies of the individuals sin, a grave violation of God's law. concerned. Moreover, it is well to The point seems simple enough. keep in mind that this article has No question. not exhausted the list of Catholic Then why has Cardinal Krol,

August, 1976 179 Archbishop of Philadelphia, seen What confusion? Who are these fit to say that today there are persons to whom Cardinal Krol those who call themselves Catho­ directs his accusation? And who lic who are attempting to have are those judging indulgently and accepted many things which are excusing completely homosexual opposed to God's law, one of those activity in a given situation? things being the homosexual re­ Are they among the highly vo­ lationship and lifestyle? cal group of sincere Catholic re­ Why has the Sacred Congrega­ ligious and lay persons, some of tion for the Doctrine of the Faith, whom hold seriously that the speaking with the approval of Catholic Church has for centuries Pope Paul VI, found it necessary misinterpreted the Scriptures re­ to say that there are those who garding homosexuality? Are they now judge indulgently, and even those who charge, in effect, that excuse completely, homosexual the Catholic Church has long relations under some circum­ been in the forefront of those who stances? This indulgence, said the have persecuted the homosexual Sacred Congregation, is in "op­ without just cause or moral rea­ position to the constant teaching son? Do they include tliose who of the Magisterium." look at history philosophically and ponder academically whether Why did Cardinal Medeiros, the Church is correct in all her Archbishop of Boston, in his 1976 theories on sex, whether in all Lenten Pastoral, have to include cases the rigid standards of the the "justification of homosexual Church apply? relations" as a modem idiom One very outspoken priest is which has deformed the "delicacy the Jesuit, Rev. John J. McNeill, with which Sacred Scripture an author and professor of moral draws its teaching about sex­ theology at Woodstock College. 3 uality?" One of McNeill's principal con­ tentions, which he has held re­ What prompted Msgr. George peatedly, is that the sin for which A. Kelly I to write that: God destroyed Sodom was not "Catholic moral theology has fall­ overt homosexual activity but, 4 en to such a low estate that opin-. rather, inhospitality. ions about homosexuality dispensed at the popular level frequently have "If there is any myth that lies at little relationship to what the mag­ the very source of Western Chris­ isterium teaches. Because bishops tian society's condemnation and seem unable to restore the required persecution of the homosexual, it is unity between the two, Catholic the myth of Sodom and Gomorrah. pastor and Catholic homosexual are ... Western society has assumed readily confused, neither knowing for centuries that it was clearly re­ what the Catholic faith essentially vealed in Scripture . . . that homo­ requires of them in the present cli­ sexuality is contrary to the will of mate of gay activism."2 God .. .

180 Linacre Quarterly "As a result of this interpreta tion understood homosexual practices of Genesis a whole lega l tradition as a "sign of alienation from sprang up which is still operative God." In this light, according to today . . .. " the Jesuit, the saint was referring The Church, he said, erred in to homosexual activities in the her interpretation of the biblical same light as the Old Testament, circumstances which caused the that being idolatry. In McNeill's destruction of the cities of the opinion, St. Paul was not aware plains approximately 19 centuries of the distinction between the before the birth of Christ. Be­ morally-neutral con d i t ion of cause she erred and compounded homosexuality and the homosex­ the erroneous belief through her ual genital act. Moreover, it is teaching and great influence down McNeill's view that St. Paul failed the centuries, McNeill saw the to distinguish sharply between Catholic Church's attitude to­ custom and nature. As a result, as ward the homosexual as "another McNeill sees it, Paul's pronounce­ example of structural social in­ ments on homosexuality have justice." been given a faulty interpreta­ Fr. McNeill's position regard­ tion, attributing to St. Paul a ing the fall of Sodom has been knowledge he did not possess. severely criticized by Msgr. Kelly. Again Msgr. Kelly has taken strong issue with McNeill. The "While it is customa ry to dismiss monsignor referred to the Swiss these Old Testament legalisms as Pro t est ant theologian, Klaus time-conditioned Jew i s h mores Bockmuhl, who has objected to rather tha n divine mora lisms, the early Christian Church itself did the "reduction of theology to not look gently on homosexua l 'mere anthropology'" and who pra ctices, in pa rt because these wrote that we re expressions of late Graeco­ Homan licentiousness, which among " Anyone who looks at First Cor­ the uppe r d asses included pede r­ inthians 6 without the prejudice asty." ·i tha t pe rmits the fa ntastic exegeti·.' some rsaults we have been discus­ Kelly emphasized that the "city sing will discove r that in the N ew of Sodom was destroyed because T esta ment the law is for the good the sin of the Sodomites was of man. How ca n it then be com­ homosexuality." This, he wrote, is passiona te to eliminate it?" the interpretation of Genesis 19 Fr. McNeill has been quoted as reached by the J erome Biblical Commentary, The J erusalem Bi­ saying that perhaps the homosex­ ble, and Genesis in the Anchor ual element of society can bring Bible. the heterosexual community to a As for the seeming denounce­ grea ter understanding of them­ ments against homosexuality by selves as persons. Given its free­ St. Paul in the New Testament, dom, he said, the homosexual McNeill has claimed that Paul community could help lead so-

August, 1976 181 ciety to a greater understanding "Does heterosexuality exhaust the of love between equal human be­ possibilities of human sexual ex­ ings. pression ?" On occasion the National Fed­ The Salvatorian national min­ eration of Priests Councils has istry to the homosexual com­ been concerned with the various munity, promoted through its facets of the subject of homosex­ Task Force, performs its work of u a lit y . At its convention in educating priests, brothers, and Denver in March, 1972, the Fed­ nuns "into a full understanding of eration pass sed a resolution which, anti-gay fears" by lectures, mail­ according to one priest official, ings, workshops, and other meth­ would strain church doctrine.6 ods of communication. The Task The resolution proclaimed that Force has issued theses on "homo­ the Catholic Church's concern for phobia," the myths of homosex­ and ministry to the homosexual uality, status of the Brian Mc­ was, for all intents and purposes, Naught case,s human nature and non-existent in the United States. homosexuality, homosexuals in Moreover, charged the resolution, Sweden, male homosexuals and priests who work with and min­ foster care, and male homosexuals ister to homosexuals are stigmac in general. In addition, the Task tized so severely that it serves to Force developed a 40-page "guide­ discourage 0 the r priests who line for extending a Christian would like to become involved in ministry to homosexuals;" The such ministry. Two years later, Salvatorians sought. to have this meeting in San Francisco, NFPC guideline issued under the aus­ deplored the absence of a "con­ pices of the NFPC but the Fed­ temporary theological investiga­ eration refused on the grounds tion" on homosexuality. that the document "lacked a theological rationale for departing Probably the most active Cath­ from the traditional Catholic ap­ olic order in matters relative to a proach to gay people." Saying ministry for the homosexual is that the thrust of the paper was the Salvatorians-the Society of intended to be "solely pastoral" the Divine Savior. Since late 1973 rather than theological, Brother the Salvatorians have had a Gay Grant-Michael announced that Ministry Task Force headed by the Salvatorians would distribute B rot her Grant-Michael Fitz­ the document on their own. Msgr. gerald. This Task Force has Kelly, describing the publication viewed the Bishops' Guide for as "equivalently condoning homo­ confessors as being "at best in­ sexuality," later wrote that is­ accurate and insensitive; at its suance of the document by the worst, ... a misrepresentation of Salvatorians was inexcusable. data and a cavalier disrespect for human lives and dignity."7 More­ Another outspoken priest is over, the Task Force has asked, Rev. Henry Fehren,9 a diocesan

182 Linacre Quarterly priest in rural Minnesota and a The homosexual, said Fr. Feh­ professor at Morehead College. ren, has found little help or com­ Writing in the September, 1972 fort from his church. He is denied issue of U. S. Catholic, Fehren the "slightest sexual pleasure" said that the church "has forced and resents the "overly pious ad­ on many Christian homosexuals monishment" to restrain himself an uncalled for sense of shame."l0 by saying three Hail Marys each Like Fr. McNeill, Fehren charged night. that the church's unbending con­ Citing the Book of Wisdom to demnation of homosexual acts as the effect that God loves the seriously immoral has been based homosexual, Fehren wrote that on "misinterpretation of stray accepting the divine command to biblical texts written for another love homosexuals includes accept­ age and culture, and on a vague, ing their lifestyle so that it is no unproved 'natural law.''' Recog­ longer "a love that dare not speak nizing that homosexuals, like its name." Homosexual love, in heterosexuals, must exercise re­ Fehren's view, can be as "noble, straint under conditions harmful beautiful and holy as heterosexual to either party to the sex act, love." Fehren held that homosexuals Again, it isn't likely that Fr. should otherwise be free, with no O'Toole would agree. In his Na­ "judgment of moral guilt on our tional Catholic R egister article, part," to satisfy his or her sex O'Toole held that if the homosex­ drive and appetite. ual male or female had gone be­ This approach would not ap­ yond the homosexual condition peal to the Rev. Christopher J. by participating in homosexual O'Toole, former superior general activities, "then it is a mockery of the Holy Cross Fathers. Writ­ to speak of maintaining this iden­ ing in an early 1973 issue of the tity and, at the same tme, remain National Catholic R egister, Fr. an authentic Catholic." O'Toole said that Among the suggestions that Fr. Fehren had for priests called upon "To say that a homosexual, in the to counsel the homosexual who full accepta nce of the word, can continue his a ttitude and practice comes for "help, advice, direction a nd, a t the same time, remain a and spiritual comfort" is to tell Ca tholic is a contradiction."11 that homosexual to do his best to forgive heterosexuals "when they Fehren saw the church's policy are stupid and intolerant about towards homosexuality inextric­ the way God has created you." ably woven in with the Gary Chamberlain, writing in " fascination of celibate churchmen the March-April, 1975 issue of for legislating in detail sexual mor­ The Critic,'2 severely criticized ality and their excessive zeal fOl" the Catholic Church for its "in­ condemning a s mortal sin even slight sexual plea sure outside the human and inhumane treatment procreative act .. . " of the homosexual." 13 He said

August, 1976 183 that the attitude of the Catholic "Changing Norms of Sexuality." heterosexual to fear and be an­ The seminar, which falls within xious about the homosexual "per­ Fr. Shanley's ministry, is con­ vert" has grown out of myths ducted on the outskirts of Boston which "the Church helped per­ and is programmed to cover "the petuate and is doing little to al­ various social-psychological as­ leviate." pects of being homosexual, the Fr. Tom Oddo, C.S.C., speak­ major personal and social prob­ ing at Stonehill College to the lems confronting alternate life 1974 New England Clergy Insti­ styles, the community setting, tute on pastoral counselling, told and the general and specialized his audience that while there are resources available for providing irresponsible homosexual relation­ professional help." ships, just as there are irrespon­ One theory offered by some sible heterosexual relationships, who criticize the traditional posi­ there are also some gay relation­ tion of the Church on the issue ships which are sacred. of homosexuality looks at the "there are ... life-styles within the cultures in their historical aspects gay community where a genuine and asks how the individuals re­ and deep sense of love exists, and late to one another. Fr. Gregory I feel that they are very beautiful Baum, O.S.A.,!7 a professor at St. and sacred."!4 Michael's College in Toronto, not­ ed that the traditional position of Rev. Paul Shanley, a diocesan the Catholic Church has always priest in Boston, has wondered been to reject homosexuality as publicly w he the r Catholicism an unnatural vice, notwithstand­ breeds the violent mentality that ing that Jesus never spoke about insists on beating up a "fag" as the subject.!S Baum, speaking in a service to God.! 5 Concerned light of historic cultures-"human with some of the things that have nature in v a rio u s cultures"­ been done in the "name of Christ asked, "Are we certain that ho­ and patriotism," Shanley said mosexuality in men and women that the persons of sexual orienta­ is against nature?" This Augus­ tion other than heterosexual are tinian priest suspects that the victims of "Christians in their conventional arguments against mad dash for heaven."!6 homosexuality "were not so much In 1973 Shanley said that a based on a sound concept of na­ growing number of priests no ture as summoned forth by God's longer are willing to accept the call, as on a refusal to take a look idea that homosexual activity is at the foundations of our cul­ sinful and they are beginning to ture." speak out in defense of gay peo­ ple. The question, wrote Baum, is Fr. Shanley periodically con­ whether the homosexual orienta­ ducts a continuing seminar on the tion is such that it enables the

184 Linacre Quarterly partners to grow in a strong mu­ which has not brought judgment tual friendship and thus become against society at large for its in­ "more truly human." Can the justice toward gay people, but homosexual couple become so in­ rather has contributed its own tegrated in their lives that they share to that injustice." manifest the humanism to which The prime mission of the church all mankind is summoned by to the homosexual, said this God? This, says Fr. Baum, is the Jesuit priest, is to "help him love crucial question. If the homosex­ and accept himself, to teach him ual can live that kind of life, then that God loves and accepts him homosexual love "is not contrary in the way a sacramental Church to the human nature." must, by showing him that the For those who are constitutive­ human beings who form the ly homosexual, and who allow for Church and preach the Word do the necessary mutuality in their love and accept him as he is." relationships, Baum argues that they should "acknowledge them­ Fr. O'Toole wrote that it is selves as such before God, accept legerdemain to suggest that the their sexual inclination as their religious problem of homosexuals calling, and explore the meaning can be resolved by "integrating of this inclination for the Chris­ it into a Catholic way of life, so tian life." that one can continue the 'gay' Fr. O'Toole, in his 1973 article, style of life and, at the same time, wrote, rest comfortably in the arms of the Church."20 . any counseling which would In the late 1960's, Rev. Ed­ indicate that the homosexual style ward Schillebeeckx, O.P., of Hol­ of life, as such, is compatible with authentic Christianity is doing a land, a very controversial priest to grave disservice to the person con­ say the least, was quoted as re­ cerned, as well as the Church and portedly saying that "homosex­ the entire Mystical Body of Christ." uality is good for those who are not responsive to the opposite sex, Another priest, Fr. Peter E. Fink, S.J., has asked, "What mis­ because it thus at least makes it sion does the Church have toward possible for them to experience gay people?"19 sexual activity." 21 Where homosexuals ~re con­ Fr. O'Toole may have had this cerned, Fink sees in the Catholic very point in mind when he said, Church a "history of neglect and condemnation, a history which " .. . if anyone is to do a genuine has scarred individuals merciless­ service to homosexuals who wish to ly and has caused far too many to be Catholics in doctrine a nd morals, he should ma ke eve ry possible ef­ drift from the Church and her fort to put into clear focus the ob­ sacraments with the sense of be­ vious reasons for the differences of ing unwanted, and a history sexes."22

August , 1976 185 Can a particular homosexual mosexual union somewhat favor­ liaison perhaps be such that un­ ably with heterosexual marriage. der some circumstances, and for If the homosexual finds in his the emotional well-being of the conscience that he cannot remain individual, it ought to be accepted celibate, i.e., abstain from genital morally rather than risk the pos­ sexual activity, that there is ab­ sible consequences of non-accept­ solutely no possibility of his en­ ance? tering into sexual relations with In 1968, Fr. Charles Curran, a woman (or, in the case of a les­ then teaching moral theology at bian, with a man), that it is high­ Catholic University of America ly undesirable to be promiscuous and currently a professor of the­ in matters of sex, and that there ology at that institution, publicly genuinely appears to be no pos­ introduced w hat has become sibility of reversing this sexual known as his "theory of compro­ inclination, but that he or she, as mise." As a panel member at a the case may be, would desire a seminar sponsored jointly by the permanent relationship somewhat Academy of Religion and Mental akin to heterosexual marriage, Health and the Sex Information then it is not objectively wrong and Education Council of the in tile moral sense for the homo­ United States, Curran reportedly sexual to settle into a permanent said that "homosexuality is not holy union with another homosex­ absolutely and always a very ual of like intent. grave sin." 23 Further, he stated, Fr. John F. Harvey, O.S.F.S., still speaking of homosexuality, author of the chapter on homo­ "It may be the only way such a sexuality in the New Catholic En­ person can find a warm, meaning­ cyclopedia and one of the most ful human relationship ... It is a knowledgeable, and compassion­ case where we may have to com­ ate, theologians on the subject of promise with the ideal." homosexuality, holds that before Eight years later, Fr. Curran one can judge the homosexual discussed his theory of compro­ from a moral viewpoint, three as­ mise with Richard Rashke, Wash­ pects must be examined. First, ington (D. C.) correspondent for the condition of homosexuality the National Catholic Reporter.2-\ must be distinguished from the Under the theory, a particular ac­ homosexual genital act; the con­ tion perceived in one sense as a dition by itself is not sinful. Sec­ social sin is viewed in a second ondly, the objective morality of sense as not being objectively the homosexual act must be con­ wrong if it is the "only viable al­ sidered; it is morally wrong. And ternative for the individual." thirdly, the very important ques­ Translated to the homosexual tion that must be answered is lifestyle, the theory of compro­ whether the individual, who en­ mise under given circumstances gaged in the homosexual act, did compares a permanent, stable ho- in fact act sinfully. Did he freely

186 Linacre Quarterly consent to engage in a sinful act? Returning I,low to Curran's Was he responsible for his ac­ theory of compromise, some ac­ tions? Fr. Harvey has said that in tions - oversimplified - are ob­ some instances the homosexual jectively wrong and the willing individual doesn't know whether participant has erred or sinned he or she has actually given con­ subjectively. In other instances sent to effect the homosexual de­ of the same type of action, while sires. the act itself is still objectively Msgr. Kelly, in considering wrong, the participant may not whether the overt homosexual have freely engaged in the act, life-style can be considered a mor­ i.e., he or she may not have been ally acceptable form of behavior, morally responsible for the act, has been concerned with the blur­ and thus would be subjectively ring which has occasioned the dis­ blameless. tinction between moral theology From those two instances, a and pastoral theology, the latter 25 third arises-the same action but being a "shepherding" approach. in this case the act is not objec­ This blurring-a fuzziness-is, tively wrong and the actor is not to Kelly, the direction in which a subjectively sinful. It is this third number of Catholic theologians instance which reflects Fr. Cur­ are proceeding; a direction which ran's position on irreversible, i.e., has failed to distinguish between "constitutional homosexuals."26 moral theology and shepherding. To Father Curran, where the ir­ Quoting Fr. Harvey, the mon­ reversible homosexual is con­ signor wrote: cerned, the act itself is not objec­ tively wrong and the homosexual, " pastoral ad hoc solutions which ig­ though participating intentionally nore the objective immorality of homosexual acts would reduce our and willingly, is not subjectively sexual ethics to personalistic sham­ sinful in the act. bles." There should be no doubt In the pastoral approach, wrote whatsoever that the possibility of Kelly, the priest-counselor or con­ this third category poses a super­ fessor may decide that the homo­ human problem for the priest­ sexual is subjectively absolved confessor who seeks to determine and blameless, and thus encour­ whether the individual to whom age him to receive the Holy he is ministering is indeed an ir­ Eucharist; and the priest may reversible homosexual. Has this lead the penitent "through the person searched his conscience shoals of troubled waters" and until he was utterly exhausted recommend him to the mercy of and found that genital relations God; but that priest cannot con­ with one of the opposite sex would sent to the rightness of sodomy, be absolutely traumatic? Is sexual regardless of organized pressure abstention totally out of the ques­ on him to do so. tion? Is there no possibility that

August, 1976 187 sexual reorientation might be ef­ homosexual the choice between fected? At what point in the the hell of total continence and priest's examination of the homo­ the hell of eternal damnation."28 sexual's life pattern and direction The Church, he said, was using can the clergyman say to himself, the "pain of serious sin" as a way "By the grace of God, I am satis­ of trying to force complete sexual fied beyond all reasonable doubt abstinence on several million per­ that this individual has searched sons. all avenues that would lead him The voices of protest are not all from the homosexual lifestyle, and male. One of the most serious and that none was open to him. If his concerned voices comes from Sis­ (or her) life is to be filled with a ter Jeannine Gramick, S.S.N.D., meaningful, constructive, and sta­ a chaplain and co-founder of the ble relationship, blessed by re­ Baltimore chapter of Dignity. In sponsible love, it will be through her opinion, the sex of the be­ the homosexual way since the loved is immaterial; it really celibate and heterosexual life­ doesn't matter if the lovers are styles are beyond reach and fully female/ female, mal e / mal e, or out of the question." male/ female. "It's the quality of Some priests, heterosexual or the relationship," she said, "that homosexual, for one reason or an­ makes a difference, that makes other prefer not to be identified the relationship a healthy one or when they support the homosex­ a moral one." 29 The key word here ual cause. The NFPC has referred is "quality." Sister Jeannine's to the severe reproach suffered standards for the quality of the by priests interested or perform­ relationship are very high and ing in a ministry to the homosex­ satisfaction of her s tan dar d s ual community. An example of would have to face the test of desired anonymity was reflected in the recent series on homosex­ what she calls "responsible un­ uality and the church by the Na­ selfish love." In her words, tional Catholic R eporter. In one of the articles in the series, an "A responsible relationship is one which exhibits a consistent pattern anonymous heterosexual priest of conce rn and consideration for the was quoted as saying that he be­ other person. It is honest, yet com­ lieves "homosexuality is good, a passionate, challenging the other to gift of God, something to be root out human frailties, accepting proud of, something sacred, some­ with gratitude the challenges put forth by the other person. It is not thing to rejoice in."27 jealous or possessive, but secure in Brother Will i a m Modlin, the liberating love of the other and C.S.C., reportedly told the Coun­ in the knowledge that this relation­ cil on Religion and the Homosex­ ship is characterized by a special physical bond. It is a commitment ual at its first national convention to love, to cherish, to be sensitive in New York City in 1971 that to the needs and feelings of the "The Catholic Church offers the other. It is a desire to grow human-

188 Linacre Quarterly ly together, to share joys and h ard­ 111 an April, 1976 issue, the ships. It enables both persons to National Catholic Reporter re­ love God in a deeper way and to be generous in service to the com­ ferred to Dignity as a fishbone munity. Such a relationship is mu­ lodged in the throat of the Catho­ tual and is properly expressed in a lic Church in America. "The in­ sexual and genital manner." stitution can't swallow it; and it just won't go away."32 Dr. Herman Van De Spyker, Dutch theologian and sociologist, Dignity refers to itself as "an reportedly told an audience in international organization of gay Los Angeles in 1970 that St. and concerned Catholics." Ac­ Thomas Aquinas recognized that cording to its "Statement of Po­ in some cases sexual relations be­ sition and Purpose," Dignity is tween men were quite natural.3D an organization dedicated to unite Msgr. Kelly would disagree com­ gay Catholics and promote the pletely with that assertion. In cause of the homosexual com­ early 1975 he wrote that St. munity in a responsible manner. Thomas "held firm ideas on ho­ This responsibility, the statement mosexuality."31 The saint viewed goes, is threefold: to the church, the sexual deviation as both un­ to society, and to the individual natural and an abomination, one homosexual. Within this respon­ of the gravest of sins. sibility, Dignity is concerned with "Those foul offenses that are spiritual development, education, against nature should be every­ social involvement, and social where and at all times detested and events (including recreational). punished, such as were those people The organization's stated beliefs of Sodom, which should all nations commit, they should all stand guilty are: of the same crime, by the law of God which had not made man that. " . . . that gay Catholics are they should so abuse one another." members of Christ's mystical body, numbered among the people of God. In recent years, within most We have an inherent dignity be­ of the major religious denomina­ cause God created us, Christ died tions, there have arisen groups for us, and the Holy Spirit sancti­ fied us in Baptism, making us His which are referred to as "gay Temple, and the channel through caucuses." These organizations which the love of God might become are primarily comprised of homo­ visible. Because of this, it is our sexuals of the particular faith but right, our privilege, and our duty to include in the membership heter­ live the sacramental life of the Church, so that we might become osexuals who support the homo­ more powerful instruments of God's sexual cause. The rolls include love working among all people. not only laypersons but clergy as " . . . that gays can express thei r well. sexuality in a manner that is con­ One such organization-and, sonant with Christ's teaching. We believe that all sexuality should be by far, the most active-is called exercised in an ethically responsible Dignity. and unselfish way."

August, 1976 189 As of May, 1976, Dignity had The publication contains a va­ 46 chapters in 22 states, the Dis­ riety of articles and news items, trict of Columbia, Puerto Rico, some of which are regular to the and Canada. At that time, seven format. There is usually an edi­ additional chapters were being torial, religious in nature, with formed, three of which were in subjects such as "Easter: Rebirth Canada. In addition, Dignity had in Him" and "Yes: a Way of a chapter-lit-large and a national Life." Other items include poetry, prison ministry. Internationally prison ministry information and related, the organization is af­ news, book reviews, feature ar­ filiated with Acceptance (Aus­ ticles, news events affecting Cath­ tralia), Quest (England), and olic gays, and news items from the Veritas (Sweden). Estimates of chapters. Dignity membership range as Dig nit y distributes articles, high as 5,000. usually Catholic in nature, writ­ Although Dignity has hundreds ten by theologians and others in of priests and nuns as chaplains support of or favorable to the ho­ throughout its various chapters, mosexual drive for acceptance in its current president is a Catholic the churches. This has included layman, Paul Diederich of Bos­ writings by Fr. Gregory Baum,34 ton. The national secretary, how­ Fr. Peter E. Fink, S.J., 35 Fr. Hen­ ever, is a priest, Fr. Tom Oddo, ry Fehren,36 Rev. Norman Pit­ C.S.C. tenger,37 Gary Chamberlain,38 Sis­ Dignity chooses to work within ter Jeannine Gramick, S.S.N.D.,39 the Catholic Church but it has no Brian McNaught,40 and Fr. John official standing there.33 At pres­ J. McNeill, S.J.41 ent, there is no professed desire Dignity feels that there is a on the part of Dignity leadership change occurring in the Catholic to have the organization taken Church, a change from the tradi­ under the structure of the Church. tional condemnation of the ho­ The leaders prefer to be in an in­ mosexual to one of developing un­ dependent position where Digni­ derstanding of the gay person, his ty, through various unhampered being, and needs. It has been the means, can influence the Church experience of gays, says Dignity, regarding her position and teach­ to be discouraged by their church. ing on the matter of homosex­ They have faced clergy who are uality. ignorant about the subject of ho­ Dignity seeks to promote the mosexuality and whose ignorance homosexual c a use by various has been hideboun·d to church means of communication. It issues tradition. These are the "thou a monthly publication bearing the shalt not" clergy. But Dignity has name of the organization, Dig­ seen hope for the Church by rea­ nity; that publication, multi­ son of a remarkable change in the paged newsletter in form, is now clergy to manifest a growing and in its seventh volume. greater respect for the individual.

190 Linacre Quarterly Condemnation is slowly being That . was in November, 1975. pushed aside as more and more The setting was the nation's capi­ priests are declaring themselves tal. The meeting was the confer­ gay (albeit celibate), are speak­ ence of the Catholic bishops in ing out against the historical the United States. shameful treatment of homosex­ Two months later, and without uals, are writing about the sub­ any direct connection to the re­ ject, and are mingling with mem­ quests made by Dignity of the bers of the homosexual com­ American bishops, the Sacred munity. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, speaking with the con­ "And more a nd more the Gay currence of the Vatican, reiterat­ Catholic is able to see the image of ed in a short summation the Christ in his priest. H e knows more and more priests in whom he sees Catholic Church's continuing po­ a Good Shepherd, one who serves, sition on the matter of homosex­ one who hungers and thirsts for ual practices by declaring that, social justice, one who doesn't hesi­ regardless of personal responsi­ tate to eat and drink with those bility, "homosexual acts are in­ whom society shuns, a father who loves his children." trinsically disordered and can in no case be approved of "-neque At the annual meeting of the unquam ullo modo approbari National Conference of Catholic posse. Bishops, held in Washington, Dignity reacted by saying that D. C. in November, 1975, Dignity the declaration reflected a con­ presented a statement to the tinuing "lack of appreciation for Bishops' Liaison Com mit tee the broad range of human .sexual which, in turn, reported the state­ expression among those who fol­ ment to the full Bishops' confer­ low Christ and live responsible ence. love." What Dig nit y respectfully Dignity viewed the declaration asked was that the Roman Catho­ as doing "little more than repeat lic Church address herself to the the traditional unenlightened con­ plight of the Catholic homosex­ demnation of homosexual expres­ ual, a plight that reflected isola­ sion based on the presupposition tion, loneliness, despair, and an that human sexuality is God­ eventual turning away from God. given and moral only in hetero­ The Church, said Dignity, har­ sexual marriage for the purpose of bored an "unenlightened blanket procreation." condemnation," lacked compas­ The organization speaks of the sion, and denied the sacraments "constitutional," i.e., irreversible, where gay men and women were homosexual and maintains that concerned. constitutional homosexuality is a Dignity asked further that the natural variation of mammalian Church re-examine her position sexual behavior. Constitutional on homosexuality. homosexuality, says Dignity, "is

August, 1976 191 intrinsically good when it is ex­ that perSOll is searching for a stable pressed in an ethically responsi­ rela tionshi p and has as his goal the ble, unselfish, and Christian man­ total good of the other person, then I would not refuse him the Sacra­ ner, as all sexuality must be." ment nor absolution." To some, there is always the question of whether the individ­ In this respect, the Bishops' ual who intends to continue living Guide advises the priest-confessor the homosexual lifestyle should that the overt homosexual cannot be permitted to receive Holy regularly receive the Holy Eucha­ Communion. rist. This dictum is subject, of course, to questions of conscience­ In 1973 a priest told a Dignity and responsibility, but by and chapter meeting that the major large the Guide presents the factor which the modern priest, Church position applicable to the in his role as confessor, considers vast majority of cases. about the penitent is "the total orientation of this person's life." Msgr. Kelly thought it strange Is he trying his best to workship that some priests would make so God and be of service to his fel­ much ado over the point of homo­ low man? Does one aspect of his sexuals receiving communion. The life, which might not conform monsignor sees no problem unless with what is generally accepted the one to receive communion as "normal," negate all other as­ con.tinues to indulge himself in pects of his life which strive for homosexual acts and lifestyle. "In stability and the state of grace? that case," said Fr. Kelly, "he seeks privileges not accorded oth­ And what if that one aspect is er violators of Catholic morals." his or her homosexuality? The priest told the group, primarily Obviously, the last word on this consisting of homosexuals, that matter is yet to be heard. The the probability exists that for most recent position statement by some persons the homosexual be­ the Catholic Church on homosex­ havior "patterning" [sic] is so uality is included in the "Declara­ deep that it is just as normal and tion on Certain Questions Con­ natural for that individual as cerning Sexual Ethics." But that heterosexual behavior is for those part of the document which per­ tains specifically to. homosexuali­ .. - ~ ose sexual attraction is to the opposite sex. ty has been sorely criticized by clergy and laity alike for a vague­ "If the gay person is striving for ness that makes interpretation the happiness of others and trying and understanding difficult and to integrate his entire life, if he has speculative. One particularly con­ this frustration with the Church fusing view that can be assumed (he is certainly aware that the from the Declaration is that an Church is there and is certainly seeking the help of Christ in the individual who might well be a Church) even if he is involved in born homosexual-whose sexual selective promiscuity, as long as tendency is the result of "some

192 Linacre Quarterly kind of innate instinct"-is none­ Catholic Problems at St. John's Uni­ theless personally responsible, versity in New York City. He is also presumably under pain of serious Director of the Institute of Advanced Catholic Studies a t that university. sin, not to effect his innate per­ 2. Kelly, George A., "A second look sonality. There is something high­ at the gay activist movement," Homi­ ly unreasonable about the direc­ letic & Pastoral Review (New York tion of that philosophy. City) , March, 1976, p. 16. Yet, what is the Church to do? 3. For a detailed critique of Fr. Mc­ Neill's position on homosexuality a nd Can she really change her tradi­ homosexuals, see Fr. H arvey's article, tional position on the morality of " A Critique of John McNeill, S.J. a nd the homosexual act without hav­ Gregory Baum, O.S.A. ," elsewhere in ing to revise her entire moral this current issue of Linacre. structure regarding all sexual 4. McNeill, John J., "Demythologiz­ practices. One affects the other. ing Sodom and Gomorrah," The Uni­ The Reverend Anthony G. Bosco, versities and the Gay Experience. Proceedings of the Conference Spon­ Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese sored by the Women a nd Men of the of Pittsburgh, reportedly said in Gay Academic Union, November 23 1966 that "once you divorce sex and 24, 1973 (New York: 1974), pp. from procreation, we would have 53-56. See a lso, "Gay academics seek to justify homosexuality."42 If the to end 'invisibility,''' Advocate (Los Angeles), December 19, 1973, pp. 2, 10. Church accepts the homosexual 5. Kelly, George A., "The political act without moral stigma, is there struggle of active homosexuals to gain really any substantial Church de­ social accepta nce," Homiletic & Pas­ fense left that would prevent the toral Review (New York City). Part I chain reaction of the toppling (February. 1975) a nd Part II (March. dominoes on matters of sex out­ 1975). re print, p. 12. side marriage, sex intentionally 6. "Catholic outreach?" Advocate non-procreative, and finally, abor­ (Los Angeles). April 12. 1972, pp. 1. 11. tion? 7. "Priests reject 'gay is sin,' call for Is the forceful outspoken ques­ consenting sex laws," Advocate (Los tioning of magisterium by church Angeles). April 24. 1974. p. 13. members-priests, nuns, brothers, 8. Brian McNaught was a columnist laity-just a symptom of the and staff writer for the Michigan times or is it a small sign of revolt Catholic, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Detroit. He has a lso been president in the Church that, if left unat­ of the Detroit chapter of Dignity. In tended, will eventually spark the July, 1974. his column was dropped: fuse to explode other issues re­ columns of three other writers for the garding doctrine and authority, paper had been dropped in June. Mc­ some quiet now and poised below Naught claimed that his column had been discontinued because he had been the surface but also some seeth­ publicly identified as a homosexua l. ing? The editor of the Michigan Catholic, Mrs. Margaret Cronyn, denied his as­ REFERENCES sertion. The incident came to public I. Msgr. K elly is currently the John attention when M cNaught went on a A. Flynn Professor in Contemporary publicized fast in September, 1974. He

August, 1976 193 ended his fast after he received a let­ 17. For a detailed critique of Fr. ter from Bishops Joseph Imesch and Baum's position on homosexu ality a nd Thomas Gumbleton saying they woule! homosexuals, see Fr. H a rvey's a rticle, work in behalf of rooting out "struc­ " A Critique of John McNeill, S.J . and tures and attitudes that discriminate Gregory Baum, O.S.A.," elsewhere in against the homosexual as a person." this current issue of Linacl'e. M cNaught then advised his editor that lB. Baum, Gregory, "Catholic Homo­ he would return to work on October 21, sexuals," Commonweal, February IS, five weeks a fter his filst had started. 1974, pp. 8-11. But it was Mrs. Cronyn's view that 19. Fink, Fr. P eter E., S.J., " Ho­ McNaught's failure to come to work mosexuality: a Pastoral H y pothesis," due to a self-inflicted illness, brought Commonweal, April 6, 1973, pp. unk. a bout by the fast, was in fact a termi­ 20. " 'Contradiction' Seen in Faith, nation of his employment with the pa­ Homosexuality," op. cit. per. M cNaught never regained his job 21. Bandas, Msgr. R. G., "Questions with the Michigan Catholic although and Answers," Wanderer, February he took the m atter to his union. He I S, 196B, p. unk. also took the case to the Archdiocese 22. "'Contradiction' Seen in Faith, Office of Conciliation which, on Janu­ Homosexuality," op. cit. ary 9, 1975, dismissed his grievance 23. "Signs of the times," New York cha rge as being without merit. H y mnal, May, 196B, p. 5. Confirmed 9. Fehren is said to be a pseudonym. in an interview with Fr. Curran at 10. Fehren, Fr. Henry, "A Chris­ Catholic University of America, Wash­ tian Response to Homosexuality," Gay ington, D. C., on May 21, 1976. Community News (Boston), November 9, 1974, pp. B-1O, cited as a reprint 24. R ashke, Richard, "Homosexuali­ from U. S. Catholic, September, 1972. ty and the church of today," (first in See also, "Priest hits Catholic oppres­ a series), National Catholic Reporter sion of Gays," Advocate (Los An­ (Kansas City, Mo.), March 26, 1976, geles), November B, 1972, p. 15. pp. 1,4. 11. "'Contradiction' Seen in F a ith, 25. K elly , "The political struggle of Homosexuality," Star and News active homosexuals to gain social ac­ (Washington, D. C.), February 10, ceptance," op. cit. 1973, p. A-B, crediting the National 26. Interview with Fr. Curran, M ay Catholic R egister, furthe r unidentified. 21, 1976, op. cit. 12. At the time of his a rticle, Cham­ 27. Rashke, "Dignity 'like a fishbone berlain was an assistant professor of lodged in church's throat,''' (third in religion a t Webster College, St. Louis, a series), National Catholic Reporter Mo. (K ansas City, Mo.) , April 9, 1976, 13. Chamberlain, Gary, "Column," p.2B. Critic (place unknown) , March-April, 2B. "Gays won't wait, churches told," 1975, pp. 16, 17, 74-80. Advocate (Los Angeles), May 12-25, 14. "'Let's talk value, not labels of 1971, p. 2. sex,''' Advocate (Los Angeles), Au­ 29. Rashke, "Dignity 'like a fishbone gust 14, 1974, p. 17. lodged in church's throat,' " op. cit. 15. Shanley, Paul, " Forum. Gays and Religion. The Question: How is 30. "13th Century theologian knew organized religion of value to the gay some men must love men," Advocate person? 'Look what they've done to my (Los Angeles), August 5-1B, 1970, p . B. song,''' Gay Community News (Bos­ 31. K elly, "The political struggle of ton) , November 24,1973, p. 4. active homosexuals to gain social ac­ 16. Young, Allen, "Church sanctions ceptance," op. cit., pp. 13, 14. gay ministry," Advocate (Los An­ 32. Rashke, "Dignity 'like a fishbone geles) , April 24, 1974, pp. 12, lB. lodged in church's throat,' " op. cit.

194 Linacre Quarterly 33. The phrase "within the Catholic zation of the Catholic Church is quite Church" may require some clarifica­ speculative' and highly dependent on tion. As an organization, Dignity is not many factors t4at would first need to subject to administrative or operating be resolved. control by the Catholic Church. How­ 34. Baum, op. cit. ever, the persons who comprise the 35. Fink, op. cit. membership of Dignity are individual­ 36. Fehren, "A Christian Response ly members of, and within, the Church. to Homosexuals," U. S. Catholic, Sep­ Although Dignity is not an officially tember, 1972, pp. unk. chartered or approved organi"ation of 37. Pittenger, Norman, "Homosex­ the Church, its efforts are directed to uality and the Christian Tradition," those who are in official positions with­ Christianity and Crisis, August 5, 1974, in the Church hierarchy and it is Dig­ pp. unk. nity's desire to work with them, yet 38. Chamberlain, op. cit. independent of them. For example, 39. Gramick, Sr. Jeannine, SSND, Dignity has asked the United State3 "The Myths of Homosexuality," In­ Catholic Conference to appoint a com­ tellect (New York City), November, mittee to study the broad question of 1973, pp. 104-107. homosexuality and its implications. The committee, as suggested by Dig­ 40. McNaught, Brian, "The Sad nity, would be comprised of "theo­ Dilemma of the Gay Catholic," U. S. logians, social scientists and gay per­ Catholic, August, 1975, pp. unk. sons." The phrase "within the Catholic 41. McNeill, John, S.J., "The Homo­ Church" should not be inferred to sexual and the Church," keynote mean having a foot inside the door. so speech given at the first national con­ that official recognition of Dignity as vention of Dignity, held in Los An­ a church organization is a foregone geles in September, 1973. conclusion. Whether Dignity will ever 42. "News," Drum Magazine (Phila­ become an official or approved organi- delphia), March, 1966, p. 5.

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