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Roman Catholicism & Homosexuality: Issues, Politics, and Doctrines

What is the official Catholic position on homosexuality? It's unusual: homosexual behavior is not approved, but the orientation is accepted. Unfortunately, disapproval of the former often leads to condemnation of the latter. The Catholic Church is locked into this difficulty because any changes regarding homosexuality would affect the position on things like abortion and birth control.
Roman Catholicism & Homosexuality
The Roman Catholic Church has an unusual relationship with homosexuality in human beings. Traditionally, the Church position on homosexuality has been one of total rejection - sexuality is supposed to be a matter for men and women only. That, however, began to change in the 20th century as behavioral research revealed that sexual orientation was not necessarily a matter of choice.
Gay Priests in the Roman Catholic Church: What Will Happen?
Scandals involving priests who have sexually abused children have been a source of many problems for the Roman Catholic Church. One of those problems has been the situation of gay priests. Statements from Vatican officials have expressed strong disapproval of the very existence of homosexuals within the priesthood - the presumption being that the sexual abuse problems are caused by gays and that if they disappear, then so will the problem.
Catholic Church vs. Gay Marriage
The Roman Catholic Church has emerged as a world leader in the opposition to legalizing gay marriage. An organization with global reach, contacts, and influence, the Vatican has made it a priority to prevent gays from obtaining valid unions with the same rights and legal standing as traditional marriages. Even abortion has received less time and resources. What will the outcome be?
Should Gay Catholics Leave the Church?
Recent comments made by the Vatican about homosexuality and homosexual relationships have upset many people - but none more so than gays themselves who naturally object when their situation is called immoral, disordered, and evil. Thus there is a question about whether gays have any real future in the Roman Catholic Church.
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