Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination

The document emphasizes that same-sex sexual activity is morally wrong or sinful, stating that "under no circumstances can they (homosexual acts) be approved".[1]

The document further states:

• "While the Church teaches that homosexual acts are immoral, she does distinguish between engaging in homosexual acts and having a homosexual inclination. While the former is always objectively sinful, the latter is not."[1]
• "Simply possessing such inclinations does not constitute a sin, at least to the extent that they are beyond one’s control. Acting on such inclinations, however, is always wrong."[1]
• "It is crucially important to understand that saying a person has a particular inclination that is disordered is not to say that the person as a whole is disordered. Nor does it mean that one has been rejected by God or the Church."[1]
• "All people are created in the image and likeness of God and thus possess an innate human dignity that must be acknowledged and respected."[1]
• "The fact that homosexual acts are immoral may never be used to justify violence or unjust discrimination."[1]
• "It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church’s pastors wherever it occurs."[1]

• U.S. bishops adopt document on ministry to gays By David O’Reilly