Making omosexuality an ideology in today’s theological discussion

Abstract

The article does not claim to put forward absolutely new ideas nor to analyze every aspect of the phenomenon of homosexuality. It seeks, rather, 1. to provide extensive information about the phenomenon of homosexuality within the contemporary context, making use of an interdisciplinary methodology, and 2. to theologically criticize the “ideologized” positions of some writers.

With this purpose in view, the article draws a contrast between recent teachings of the Catholic Church (contained in its most recent documents) and the approach of the European Parliament, as represented by the document Resolution regarding Equality of Rights for Homosexuals (1994).

The issue is examined with respect to a number of key considerations: the entire human person, the definition of homosexuality, the “natural sexual ambivalence” of each person, and the various causes of homosexuality. With respect to the latter, the article addresses two well-known causes: “bio-genetic” (paying particular attention to transsexuality) and “socio-psychological”.

The article concludes with some pedagogical and pastoral reflections, closely examining the scriptural and moral criteria pertinent to homosexuality.