The recent UN issue of decriminalising homosexuality worldwide has been another reason for many anti-Catholics, homosexuals, gays and LGBT's to twist the truth.
This polemic was raised because the Vatican expressed its reservations about the proposed wording, which apart from the original intent to decriminalise homosexuality, included the additional categories "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" in the UN Resolution.
These are not recognised or clearly defined in international legislation, and could eventually lead to serious judicial uncertainty. This declaration could become a means to put pressure on or discriminate against those who, to give a very clear example, consider marriage between a man and a woman the fundamental and original form of social life. Another example being, that in the UK, Catholic adoption agencies would be in breach of law if they refuse to grant adoption to homosexuals or gays.
Archbishop Celestino Migliore's interview (December 19) - read in its entirety - was very clear and in no way was to defend the death penalty for homosexuals, as some people aim to insinuate.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church not only excludes the death penalty but all forms of legislation that are violent or discriminatory towards homosexuals. The Vatican statement of December 19 reaffirmed this statement.
Kenneth Zammit Tabona in his comment piece of December 23, requests that the Church or its "self appointed paladins" apologise publicly for the patronising and hurtful letters they send.
After reading his article - to quote: "the stonewalling of the Catholic Church"; "have to be considered with an open mind"; "hurtful and incomprehensible that the Church"; "(without) homosexuality the world would have been the poorer"; "God created Man...He is prepared to accept us as we are"; "homosexual love is love and...cannot be negated"; "only a few bigots..."; "stand taken by the Catholic Church was nothing short of repugnant" - and others much worse on LGBT sites, I feel that a public apology is due to the Catholic Church.
I am in entire agreement with all legislation that prohibits discrimination against homosexuals. However, my concern with the LGBT's lobby is their agenda, and as Mr Zammit Tabona stated we now live in an "accepting" and not just "tolerating" society. The problem I see is that we are now moving towards "a legislated society that muzzles the Church and any person from professing his faith" and be accused of the crime of being homophobic, if one expresses disagreement. In 1982 Pope John Paul II stated that in the past a sin was called a sin, but now what was considered a sin has acquired "citizenship" through the enactment of many laws. This prophetic statement was made 26 years ago!
The God I know is a loving God who is always ready to forgive and save man from being cast into the deepest pit, not to condemn him. With regards to homosexuality, the Church teaches that some persons have a homosexual tendency. Stating that God's creation is beautiful in its diversity, to justify being homosexual, is stretching it a bit. The Catechism of the Church no. 2357 - 2359 explains very well its teaching, but at the same time clearly states that every homosexual act is per se a disorderly act since it goes against natural law.
The Church teaches us and calls upon all homosexuals to live in chastity, and with prayer and the sacraments to live a Christian life. Just as much as married couples are encouraged to enrich their relationship with God and live the virtue of chastity - no. 2349. I agree entirely with Mr Zammit Tabona's concluding note - the Catholic Church will always remain the strongest moral voice in the world.