![\"Gay-and-Catholic-195x300\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/454\/2014\/11\/Gay-and-Catholic-195x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nTHIS WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED ON NOVEMBER 9, 2014.<\/strong> THERE IS STILL TIME TO ORDER THE BOOK FOR CHRISTMAS. IT\u2019S AN IMPORTANT READ.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Catholic Church has long recognized that a not negligible<\/em> number of men and women experience deep-seated homosexual tendencies. <\/em>Catechism of the Catholic Church (\u201cCCC\u201d) 2358. It further recognizes that for many these tendencies constitute a very real\u00a0trial<\/em>.<\/p>\n Importantly, the Church doesn\u2019t try to analyze\u00a0\u2013 either psychologically or theologically \u2013 why these tendencies exist. Nor does it condemn those who experience<\/em> them.<\/p>\n What the Church does do is set forth certain moral obligations and guidelines \u2013 but not solely for those who are gay.<\/p>\n The Church makes clear that homosexuals \u201cmust be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity [and that] every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided\u201d (Id<\/em>.).<\/p>\n That\u2019s a clear obligation to\u00a0which we, as Catholics, must adhere \u2013\u00a0or else we ourselves will fall short and be in need of our own grace and forgiveness.<\/p>\n The Church then reminds that all<\/em> are called to celibacy outside of the bonds of marriage. Of course, this constitutes a particularly difficult\u00a0trial and challenge for\u00a0gay men and women because same sex marriage is not and cannot be recognized within the Church. Catholic men and women who identify as gay\u00a0are ever\u00a0called to a life of celibacy.<\/p>\n Is this just? Is this necessary? Is this even possible? Why would any rational person who is not seeking to become\u00a0a member of the clergy commit to such an\u00a0onerous, and quite possibly lonely,\u00a0lifestyle?<\/p>\n The Church provides one answer. It may well be the<\/em> answer:<\/p>\n By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection. CCC 2359<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Christian perfection<\/em>. Well, isn\u2019t\u00a0that \u2013 shouldn\u2019t<\/em> that \u2013 be our\u00a0ultimate goal as Catholics no matter who we are, and no matter what tendencies we ourselves might experience or bring to the table?<\/p>\n Fellow Patheos blogger Eve Tushnet recently published an important book<\/a>\u00a0on the subject: Gay and Catholic: Accepting My Sexuality, Finding Community, Living My Faith. <\/em>I<\/span>t deserves both\u00a0a wide audience and a serious, respectful\u00a0discussion.<\/span><\/p>\n Importantly, she\u00a0unveils another, more here and now, <\/em>advantage that gay Catholics may well recognize and take comfort from (highlighted below).<\/span><\/p>\n Eve takes us through her own transformation, her own decision making, that has led her to actively, consciously choose to be a faithful Catholic, even as she has had to come to terms with what that means as a gay person within the Church.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a brief synopsis<\/a>\u00a0by her publisher:<\/p>\n In this first book from an openly lesbian and celibate Catholic, widely published writer and blogger Eve Tushnet recounts her spiritual and intellectual journey from atheism to Catholicism and shows how gay Catholics can love and be loved while following Church teaching.<\/p>\n Eve Tushnet was among the unlikeliest of converts. The only child of two atheist academics, Tushnet was a typical Yale undergraduate until the day she went out to poke fun at a gathering of philosophical debaters, who happened also to be Catholic. Instead of enjoying mocking what she termed the \u201czoo animals,\u201d she found herself engaged in intellectual conversation with them and, in a move that surprised even her, she soon converted to Catholicism. Already self-identifying as a lesbian, Tushnet searched for a third way in the seeming two-option system available to gay Catholics: reject Church teaching on homosexuality or reject the truth of your sexuality.<\/p>\n Gay and Catholic<\/i>\u00a0is the fruit of Tushnet\u2019s searching: what she learned in studying Christian history and theology and her articulation of how gay Catholics can pour their love and need for connection into friendships, community, service, and artistic creation.<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n We would all do well to read and understand that last sentence again. It dispels the notion that a life of celibacy is necessarily a lonely one.<\/p>\n It can be. But there are other possibilities.<\/p>\n Interestingly, I\u2019ve heard similar thoughts expressed by clergy: celibacy is said to enhance their ability to love, and to love more deeply, more people than if they were in a one-on-one marital relationship. The time, the caring, the love not concentrated on the\u00a0one can be more readily available for the many.<\/p>\n Christian perfection and<\/em> potentially more intimate, loving friendships. Quite a trade-off.<\/p>\n Gay and Catholic.<\/p>\n Yes it\u2019s possible. Perhaps not easy. Perhaps not desirable. But certainly possible.<\/p>\n And it just might be the\u00a0one\u00a0road \u2013 albeit fraught with its own peculiar landmines, disappointments, and pain\u00a0\u2013 that ultimately leads many home.<\/p>\n From the sound of it, Eve\u00a0has already traveled\u00a0pretty far along that road.<\/p>\n Here<\/em><\/a> is the link to order your copy of Eve\u2019s book. And you can read more about Eve and her book in this\u00a0America Magazine<\/a>\u00a0interview.<\/p>\n May you find that your own particular path home is blessed.<\/p>\n Peace<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" THIS WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED ON NOVEMBER 9, 2014. THERE IS STILL TIME TO ORDER THE BOOK FOR CHRISTMAS. IT\u2019S AN IMPORTANT READ. The Catholic Church has long recognized that a not negligible number of men and women experience deep-seated homosexual tendencies. Catechism of the Catholic Church (\u201cCCC\u201d) 2358. It further recognizes that for many these […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1976,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1470","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n