The Indian Supreme Court struck down the law which up to now has criminalized consensual gay sex. Now the Supreme Court has decriminalized homosexuality between consenting adults and this is a legal judgement. The Catholic Church has come up with a bold voice on this matter by noting that “homosexual act between an adult and minor and homosexual act between an adult and child would be considered criminal and illegal always in civil law. Besides, it will be both legally and morally unacceptable.”
The Catholic Church highlighted that “It is important for us to note the distinction between crime and morality. The critical point for clarification is: That homosexuality is now not a crime in civil law does not mean that homosexual acts or behavior is morally acceptable or justified. What is legal is not equal to moral acceptability. The Catholic Church hold that homosexual behavior (between consenting adults) is morally unacceptable because it violates the purpose of human sexuality which is procreation and union of love fulfilled in the loving union of man and woman in marriage. This is the moral stand of the Catholic Church. In Catholic moral perspective, homosexual acts or behavior is morally unacceptable.”
The Church also pointed out that “we must draw a distinction between homosexuality as an orientation for which one cannot be blamed because of early psychogenetic origin or birth and homosexuality acquired by deliberate choice and practice.” The Church made it clear that homosexual acts are objectively wrong and morally unacceptable, homosexuality as an orientation is not a sign of perversion but as the expression of a condition, an inversion in a psychological sense. It is considered more a medical condition or pathology consonant with modern studies.
The Church highlighted that they respect the dignity of homosexuals as persons and human rights flowing from human dignity and personhood just as the church stands for the same for all without exclusion or discrimination. The Church noted that homosexuals are integral members of the society. The Church also condemned any kind of violence and hatred against them and asked the people to treat them with understanding, compassion and sensitivity. The Church also emphasized that every sign of discrimination in their regard should be avoided. The Catholic Church also pointed out one negative fallout of decriminalization of 377 of IPC concerning homosexuality- “that many would conclude that decriminalization is moral justification and moral acceptability and this is an error.” The Church said that “It is important to uphold the right moral perspectives regarding marriage family and upbringing of children. Marriage is not just any relationship between human beings. Men and women are equal as persons and complementary as male and female. Homosexual acts go against the natural moral law. Homosexual acts close the sexual act to the gift of life.” The Church also added, “Homosexual unions are not able to contribute in a proper way to the procreation and survival of the human race. Under no circumstances can they be approved. Hence, same sex marriages are not acceptable at all.”
The Catholic Church reminded that “it is important to note that we must reach out to homosexuals in care and concern including the psychological and sociological aspects and it is the need of the hour.”
