Pro Pride Month 12 June 2024 Franciscan Media daily email

[Irenaeus]

Somehow, for many months, perhaps years, I've been getting a daily email from Franciscan Media, 28 W. Liberty Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. The Saint of the Day feature has been very educational and I daringly say inspiring. I had no problem with anything in the daily email I received until I read this PAUSE + PRAY reflection the other day and felt terribly disappointed:

A Call to Joy for Pride Month

Reflect
Sometimes it can feel difficult to feel accepted and loved for who we are. For our LGBTQIIA+ friends, colleagues, and family members, there often is much hurt and pain. May all those who celebrate Pride Month know their God-given dignity, worth and feel the gaze of God’s love upon them in every aspect of their lives.

Pray
God who never excludes a beloved child,
May all of your children know are precious
and know they are in your eyes;
that you wouldn’t change one thing about them—
including their gender, identity, or sexuality.
May Pride Month be a time of blessing, joy, and peace for all who celebrate.
Amen.

Act
In what way(s) during this Pride Month can you be an ally to the LGBTQIIA+ community? And what personal biases may be in my own heart or mind that prevent me from doing so? Consider watching a few YouTube videos on the history of Pride Month.

Today's Pause+Pray was written by Patricia Breen. Learn more here!

I submitted a message via the contact form on Franciscan Media's website but still, after a few days, have received no reply how this message can be reconciled with Catholic teaching. Whatever happened to repentance? Perhaps that is all too dependent on a proper sense of right and wrong to begin with which is now badly disfigured, particularly regarding anthropology and human sexuality. In many entities claiming to be Catholic, the confessional has been replaced with a come-as-you-are reception.

[Irenaeus]

Besides the local churches I attend for Mass, I've been donating money to the Dominicans, the Sisters of Life, and one or two other pro-life organizations. I have considered giving to the Franciscans, but this incident makes that less likely. I refuse to support the Bishop's Appeal messages I get from Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, as he refused to communicate with me about the craziness at the Jesuit St. Francis Xavier in Manhattan.

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

There are all sorts of Franciscans. I couldn't figure out for sure which group Franciscan media is associated with, but don't let them scare you off from Franciscans in general.

[anawim]

Besides the local churches I attend for Mass, I've been donating money to the Dominicans, the Sisters of Life, and one or two pro-life organizations. I have considered giving to the Franciscans, but this incident makes that less likely. I refuse to support the Bishop's Appeal messages I get from Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, as he refused to communicate with me about the craziness at the Jesuit St. Francis Xavier in Manhattan.

Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are in our diocese. Consider giving to them.

I also help out the Sisters of Life. Their mother house is about 5 miles from me.

Dolan will be turning 75 in Feb. Whether of not the Holy Father accepts his resignation remains to be seen. If he does, I actually shudder to think who P. Francis might appoint. We might have it better than we know right now.

[Stella]

Whatever happened to repentance? Perhaps that is all too dependent on a proper sense of right and wrong to begin with which is now badly disfigured, particularly regarding anthropology and human sexuality. In many entities claiming to be Catholic, the confessional has been replaced with a come-as-you-are reception.

Although the term ‘pride’ used in connection to this issue doesn’t thrill me, I’m putting my trust in the Church’s approach to tackling the issue with welcoming and the idea of the fundamental dignity of all sinners. I think back 50 years when it was generally believed homosexuals chose their same sex attraction compared to today when it’s understood as a god given part of their identity that can’t just be turned off that easily. There’s got to be more there to know and understand.

One of my sons makes geoseismic equipment for the mines. The company owns a property in the middle of nowhere so that there’s no electrical influence for when the machinery is ‘calibrated’ or ‘recalibrated’. When it clicked to me what calibration was I instantly thought that this is what we need as Catholics passing through fast changing times. Not so much abandoning Church teaching but being open to how best to receive modern sinners and understand the issue in light of what we now know.

[zeno]

today when it’s understood as a god given part of their identity

You can't assert such a controversial opinion as accepted fact.

(and out of respect please capitalize God's name if you are going to use it)

[Doom]

[
Although the term ‘pride’ used in connection to this issue doesn’t thrill me, I’m putting my trust in the Church’s approach to tackling the issue with welcoming and the idea of the fundamental dignity of all sinners. I think back 50 years when it was generally believed homosexuals chose their same sex attraction compared to today when it’s understood as a god given part of their identity that can’t just be turned off that easily.

That is quite an assertion, let me ask you a serious question here: if homosexuality is simply "inborn" and God-given, then why is homosexuality on the increase? Among Baby Boomers, around 1-2% report a homosexual inclination, among my own generation, Generation X, it is around 5%, among Millenials, it is around 10%, and according to the most recent poll of Generation Z, over 40% now identify as gay, bisexual or transgender.

If it were just genetic, the number of people identifying as gay would remain constant over the decades, the fact that the number is rapidly increasing strongly suggests that the causes are not solely or even primarily genetic. Surely it is not a coincidence that the more socially acceptable, and indeed, praised, the Alphabet People are, young people will increasingly want to identify with it, after all what do young people want more than anything if not acceptance, to be among "the cool kids", which these days, are the Alphabet Crowd, after all, every corporation on Earth spends an entire month every year trying to be as "gay" as possible, what could possibly be more cool than that?

Moreover, the evidence is very strong that a homosexual inclination is at least partly a learned behavior. Just look at the rampant homosexual behavior in prisons and in single-sex schools. The evidence is overwhelming that people who previously had absolutely no homosexual inclination can "become gay" when they spend enough time completely isolated from the opposite sex.

And there is even stronger evidence but I am reluctant to talk about it. I am talking about the actors in porn. It is commonplace for people who describe themselves as "heterosexual" and have no homosexual inclinations at all to start doing gay or lesbian porn because they get higher pay, this is called "gay for pay", and many actors who do this later report that they start developing actual homosexual desires that they indulge in off camera in their private lives. This again shows that homosexuality is often a learned behavior.

[Irenaeus]

Nice post, Doom. I was surprised to read that you are in Generation X. I always thought you were about 200 years old and shouted, "Hey, you kids, get off my lawn!"

[Tired]

(aside - obviously, the Church should always be welcoming to sinners (as well as saints!) and should continually encourage them to persist in overcoming their sin. Although it is certainly likely that some homosexual/same sex attractant people are born with such sinful desires, it is also likely certain that people are also born with other sinful desires (the desire to hurt others, the desire to steal, attraction to children, etc.). Although the desires themselves aren't sinful, acting on them almost always is. The Church never is welcoming to sin and in this case as in the other examples given, it shouldn't be. back to the post - which is admittedly disappointing).

[Doom]

Nice post, Doom. I was surprised to read that you are in Generation X. I always thought you were about 200 years old and shouted, "Hey, you kids, get off my lawn!"

I turn 50 in February

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

Nice post, Doom. I was surprised to read that you are in Generation X. I always thought you were about 200 years old and shouted, "Hey, you kids, get off my lawn!"

He was born that way

[Kage_ar]

A Call to Joy for Pride Month

Reflect
Sometimes it can feel difficult to feel accepted and loved for who we are. For our LGBTQIIA+ friends, colleagues, and family members, there often is much hurt and pain. May all those who celebrate Pride Month know their God-given dignity, worth and feel the gaze of God’s love upon them in every aspect of their lives.

Pray
God who never excludes a beloved child,
May all of your children know are precious
and know they are in your eyes;
that you wouldn’t change one thing about them—
including their gender, identity, or sexuality.
May Pride Month be a time of blessing, joy, and peace for all who celebrate.
Amen.

Act
In what way(s) during this Pride Month can you be an ally to the LGBTQIIA+ community? And what personal biases may be in my own heart or mind that prevent me from doing so? Consider watching a few YouTube videos on the history of Pride Month.

Just looking at the reflection, prayer, suggested action, I do not see anything that conflicts with the CCC section on homosexuality. We are called to be compassionate, the Church does not require people to go through conversion therapy to change their sexuality - She asks that we all follow chastity according to our state in life - If we do what the Catechism teaches us, we are an ally to people who have faced real discrimination.

The only questionable thing is not about homosexuality, but, the line about gender. I hope there is soon an addendum to the CCC that covers this complex issue and provides more authoritative words than we currently have in hand.

[Kage_ar]

I think back 50 years when it was generally believed homosexuals chose their same sex attraction compared to today when it’s understood as a god given part of their identity that can’t just be turned off that easily. There’s got to be more there to know and understand.

"Identity" is a squishy term that I would not use.

The Catechism tells us that the genesis of homosexuality is largely unknown. It does not say "God given" any more than my physical deformities are given from God. God allows some of us to be born with disordered bodies, disordered desires.

[Stella]

I think back 50 years when it was generally believed homosexuals chose their same sex attraction compared to today when it’s understood as a god given part of their identity that can’t just be turned off that easily. There’s got to be more there to know and understand.

"Identity" is a squishy term that I would not use.

The Catechism tells us that the genesis of homosexuality is largely unknown. It does not say "God given" any more than my physical deformities are given from God. God allows some of us to be born with disordered bodies, disordered desires.

I was sure I had posted a self correction but I can't see the post on the thread anymore. In that post I'd used the term God allowed rather than God given.

[Stella]

[
Although the term ‘pride’ used in connection to this issue doesn’t thrill me, I’m putting my trust in the Church’s approach to tackling the issue with welcoming and the idea of the fundamental dignity of all sinners. I think back 50 years when it was generally believed homosexuals chose their same sex attraction compared to today when it’s understood as a god given part of their identity that can’t just be turned off that easily.

That is quite an assertion, let me ask you a serious question here: if homosexuality is simply "inborn" and God-given, then why is homosexuality on the increase? Among Baby Boomers, around 1-2% report a homosexual inclination, among my own generation, Generation X, it is around 5%, among Millenials, it is around 10%, and according to the most recent poll of Generation Z, over 40% now identify as gay, bisexual or transgender.

If it were just genetic, the number of people identifying as gay would remain constant over the decades, the fact that the number is rapidly increasing strongly suggests that the causes are not solely or even primarily genetic. Surely it is not a coincidence that the more socially acceptable, and indeed, praised, the Alphabet People are, young people will increasingly want to identify with it, after all what do young people want more than anything if not acceptance, to be among "the cool kids", which these days, are the Alphabet Crowd, after all, every corporation on Earth spends an entire month every year trying to be as "gay" as possible, what could possibly be more cool than that?

Take into account that in the past, because of both the illegality of homosexuality and shame, people were less free to identify that aspect of themselves openly. Comparing generations is going to be a skewed method.

Moreover, the evidence is very strong that a homosexual inclination is at least partly a learned behavior. Just look at the rampant homosexual behavior in prisons and in single-sex schools. The evidence is overwhelming that people who previously had absolutely no homosexual inclination can "become gay" when they spend enough time completely isolated from the opposite sex.

And there is even stronger evidence but I am reluctant to talk about it. I am talking about the actors in porn. It is commonplace for people who describe themselves as "heterosexual" and have no homosexual inclinations at all to start doing gay or lesbian porn because they get higher pay, this is called "gay for pay", and many actors who do this later report that they start developing actual homosexual desires that they indulge in off camera in their private lives. This again shows that homosexuality is often a learned behavior.

Of course it's true some people choose particular identities and lifestyles in the circumstances you mention but by the same token people with the inclination wish they didn't have it and express that in private to pastors and counsellors.

[zeno]

I think back 50 years when it was generally believed homosexuals chose their same sex attraction compared to today when it’s understood as a god given part of their identity that can’t just be turned off that easily. There’s got to be more there to know and understand.

"Identity" is a squishy term that I would not use.

The Catechism tells us that the genesis of homosexuality is largely unknown. It does not say "God given" any more than my physical deformities are given from God. God allows some of us to be born with disordered bodies, disordered desires.

I was sure I had posted a self correction but I can't see the post on the thread anymore. In that post I'd used the term God allowed rather than God given.

Nothing has been removed from this thread if that is what you are suggesting.