Moral relativism

One can safely say that homosexuality has become the number one topic in almost every country, including those which up to a few years ago considered it anathema even to mention it.

With divorce and abortion no longer considered controversial issues, attention is now focused on homosexuality or, to be more correct, on the issue of same-sex unions which those who are in favour wrongly describe as "marriages".

According to a Peruvian prelate, Cardinal Cipriani, "an 'international club' exists that works to encourage homosexuality, militant feminism, liberal sexual morality and hedonistic sex." The cardinal has accused the media of manipulating public opinion by presenting situations "of unquestionable immorality to be considered instead normal... and of measuring ethics with statistics."

He was quoted in an Italian magazine as saying that the present attitudes were the consequence of moral relativism, described by Pope Benedict XVI as a "dictatorship" - the dictatorship of relativism. Thanks to this dictatorship, man is no longer guided in his beliefs and actions by the laws of the Supreme Being but by what he and society decree to be permissible; described by the present Pope as "expressions of an anarchic freedom".

The Peruvian Cardinal appealed to Catholics to stand fast in the face of ideological trends. Among these trends he included the upholding of homosexuality "as a sexual option rather than the disordered inclination which it is."

Cardinal Cipriani stated that the Church in Peru was fighting against these trends. "Faithful to the Gospel, the Church always intervenes with faith and firmness, denouncing attacks on life and the family." He called upon Christians, especially those in socially influential positions, to protect and promote the truth. "The modern apostle," he said, "must not be afraid to stand up for what is true and good, even if it means losing a job, coming under attack and at times offering one's life."

The Peruvian Cardinal's position on homesexuality and especially on same-sex unions should in no way be interpreted as encouraging discrimination against homosexuals. Although the Church, as is known, condemns the act but not those born with this tendency, it cannot be denied that there is still a great deal of prejudice against homosexuals.

This has led an American bishop to appeal to Catholics in his diocese "to welcome gay and lesbian Catholics into the Church." His diocese in Memphis will be forming a diocesan ministry with Catholic gays and lesbians. When meeting homosexuals he emphasises that "God does not withhold love from any of us." It is we, one may add, who distance ourselves from God's love when we deliberately ignore the Creator and decide to eat the fruit of every tree, any tree, including the forbidden one.