18 Oct 2009
Catholic Teaching in 1971
I haven't written on this in a while cause I'm in the middle of doing my thesis on "The Pastoral Approach to Homosexuals". It , I originally thought would be an uplifting thing that could by some level pin some positive things on the Church ( stop laughing I really did think this). But yeah I was wrong.
The Pastoral approach , for anyone unsure is the hands on approach. For example you're going to Mass for x amount of years, you discover you're gay ( as if you didn't know) and then you tell the priest who will attempt to help you with your faith. It's what they do after that is the pastoral approach.
Anyways, there are some people out there with a good pastoral approach that try to help. Bishop Pat Buckley, Fr. Robert Nugent, Sr. Jeannie Gramick to name but a few. But for every good one, there's at least ten that are royal arses. I've read a pile of stuff to try find good ones but my favourite ,the most negative one is from 1971 by a guy called Michael Hollings. Its a tiny book, so crap its worthy of an extract. I'd really love to hear what people think on this. This WAS the offical teachings of the church and they just come across as arrogrant and saps.To start with the opening line is " I was asked to write this booklet and did not want to". Wow , uplifting from the get go!
He classes homosexuality into four sections and I've included them here. Which one are you?
Here it is for you now:
(A) The Adolescent
It is normal for a teenager to pass through some form of "homosexual" period. This is an important point with which to reassure the young person who is beginning to emerge into a potentially "Scary" environment. It can take the form of developing a crush on an older gentleman or a younger counterpart. it is a common occurence but it is important to stress to the child that this is just a phase they will pass through and that soon they will develop a loving relationship with a member of the opposite sex. The child may also develop a deep sense of guilt because they are going against the laws of nature and the laws of God. You must reassure the child that homosexuality is not their fault and everyone will be held accountable in judgement.
(B) The Pederasts
There are homosexuals who are really only attracted to young boys or girls, just as there are male heterosexuals who assault young girls and so on. Now this is a particularly difficult problem and is recognised as crime for an adult to have sexual relations with anyone under the age of 21. Young people are very susceptible to older peoples affection.
(C) The Bisexual
Some, perhaps many remain bisexual throughout their lives. They are drawn to those and others of their sex. I strongly suggest that a bisexual be educated about their opposite sex so that they can enter the sanctity of marriage. I do know in cases , were despite difficulties, marriage has proven successful. However both parties must enter with a full understanding of each other's past.
(D) The Predominantly Homosexual Person.
The basic pastoral problem here is that there is no alternative than utter and total absentence from any sexual intercourse for the rest of their life. A vow of celibacy must be undertaken.
These aren't full extracts, I just took the best bits. Enjoy!