COMMENTARY
tvc.dsj.org | June 19, 2018
13
God Loves You The Way You Are
By Father Gerald D. Coleman P.S.S., Pd.D
Adjunct professor,
Graduate Department of Pastoral
Ministries, Santa Clara University
In a recent pro-life gathering in Rome (not spon-
sored by the Vatican), Dutch psychologist Gerard van
den Aardweg made astonishing claims regarding
homosexuality. He suggested that all “non-morality
statements” on homosexuality be removed from the
Catechism of the Catholic Church, e.g., homosexual per-
sons should be treated with compassion (no. 2358).
He claimed this is nothing more than “melodramatic
rhetoric” and “unchristian.” He chastised the Ameri-
can Bishops for their false statements amounting to
nothing more than “pastoral unction, dramatization,
and psycho-babble” in their 1997 pastoral letter Al-
ways Our Children. He attacked the 2014-2015 Vatican
Extraordinary Synod on the Family for suggesting
that homosexuals “have gifts and qualities to offer
the Christian community.”
“Gay ideology,” he posited, “hates marriage” and
“opposes Humanae Vitae.” He more than once referred
to “homosexual pedophiles,” giving the not-so-subtle
impression that homosexuals are pedophiles, a sexual
perversion. Homosexuality is “not inborn,” he con-
cluded, “but the effect of dysfunctional parenting and
suppressed masculinity.”
These egregious comments stand in stark con-
trast to subsequent events surrounding the outrage
expressed by Pope Francis in light of the manner in
which the Bishops of Chile mishandled and covered-
up the abuse of children. In May, he summoned
Chile’s 34 bishops to Rome for a three-day meeting
which resulted in the entire episcopate handing in
their resignations. They begged forgiveness for the
“pain they caused the victims, the pope, the people
of God, and our country for the grave errors and
omissions we committed.”
In April, the Pope met privately with Juan Carlos
Cruz, James Hamilton, and Andres Murillo, survivors
of sexual abuse in Chile. His primary intention was
to listen to them in a climate of trust and reparation.
These victims were sexually abused by Chilean priest
Fernando Karadima who was found guilty of these
crimes by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith.
In comments made to the New York Times, Juan
Carolos Cruz said he was looking forward “with
an open heart” to hearing what the Pope had to say.
Above all, he wanted to convey to Pope Francis “the
pain and suffering of so many people,” many of
whom, he said, suffered more than he has and “I’ve
suffered a lot.” Cruz found the Pope “sincere, attentive
and deeply apologetic.”
During this conversation, Cruz’s own sexuality
came up because Chilean bishops had sought to frame
him as untrustworthy since he was homosexual. Pope
Francis countered this blasphemy by saying, “Juan
Carlos, that you are gay does not matter. God made
you like that and loves you like this and I don’t care.
The Pope loves you like this. You have to be happy
with who you are.”
These comments are arguably the most explicit
acceptance of homosexuality publicly spoken by a
head of the Roman Catholic Church. In 2013 Francis
suggested a shift in attitude by telling reporters, “If
someone is gay and is looking for the Lord, who am
I to judge him? You should not discriminate against
or marginalize these people.” The Pope’s words to
Cruz move the conversation further, not by changing
church teaching, but demonstrating an affirmation of
gay and lesbian persons. Pope Francis is signaling a
more open, inclusive, and past oral style.
Expounding beliefs more in line with van den
Aardweg, a number of American and European
responders have condemned the Pope and ridiculed
his so-called misguided approach.
Clearly, however, the Pope’s comments are in sync
with the church’s official teaching on homosexuality
as found in the Catechism, nos. 2357-2359. He affirms
that the “psychological genesis [of homosexuality]
remains largely unexplained,” giving credence to the
position that “God made you like that.” His pastoral
approach is consistent with the teaching that homo-
sexual persons “must be accepted with respect, com-
passion and sensitivity. Every sign of discrimination
in their regard should be avoided. These persons are
called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they
are Christian, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s
Cross the difficulties they may encounter” due to
their sexual orientation.
The Catechism’s treatment of homosexuality comes
under the heading of “Chasity.” This is a virtue to
which we are called summoned. Its possession teaches
us “self-mastery” and “inner freedom.” Chastity is
nurtured by grace and prayer and “gradually” leads
us to “Christian perfection.”
Critics quickly counter by chastising the Pope
for not mentioning that homosexual acts constitute
“grave depravity” and “intrinsic disorder.” The point
is, however, whether or not it is it necessary or prudent
to bring the entirely of the church’s teaching into play
every time there is a pastoral and deeply sensitive
context, as mirrored in the Pope’s approach to Cruz?
In Cruz’s meeting with the Pope, he encountered a
merciful and understanding Jesus who did not think
it appropriate to deplore, condemn, or further victim-
ize. The Pope’s pastoral style should be implemented
by each of us.
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