n I was saddened to read the article “Gays, Church focus of talk” (March 24, pg. 1) in The Daily Free Press by Ahmed Shibab-Eldin. There were several typographical and factual errors contained in the article, but most disturbing were the subtitles of the article: “The two do not mix, Catholic speakers say” (pg. 1) and “Church: Homosexuality not Catholic” (pg. 2). These misleading and erroneous subtitles, as well as the overall sentiment of the article, indicate that the author seemed to miss the message conveyed by Friar Philip Merdinger.

I also attended this informative event, which was open to all who were interested and designed to address the teachings of the Catholic Church with respect homosexuality, and left with an understanding that homosexual persons are welcomed and embraced by the Catholic Church. Indeed, the Catechism of the Church states that homosexual people are to be “accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity” and that “every sign of unjust discrimination” against homosexual persons must be avoided.

Merdinger explained the Church’s viewpoint on relationships and included adultery, fornication and masturbation as inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible and the living tradition of the Church. The Church believes these practices are threats to the dignity of a person and often damaging to relationships, in whatever context they occur.

In trying to convey to the audience the Church’s teachings about marriage, Merdinger spoke of three important aspects of Marriage: complementarity, union and openness to life and fruitfulness. He explained why, in the eyes of the Church, entering into the covenant of marriage is reserved for a man and a woman because their being opposite sexes is necessary to fulfill the characteristics of a marriage. He explained that this is not only true biologically, but also in the distinctive and unique ways men and women complement each other in their approaches to reality. He also underscored the importance of love, friendship and compassion and explained that the Church believes using people as sexual objects is wrong, whether in a heterosexual or homosexual relationship. Because homosexual acts close the sexual act to the gift of life, the Church cannot approve of these acts. Merdinger also made the point that just because lots of people do something for example, engage sexual intercourse before marriage this does not change the Church’s teachings, as the Church must be true to the teachings of Christ.

The speaker at the event, Jim, who had homosexual experiences in his past, spoke honestly about his life and how seeking fellowship with people who were struggling with the same issues was beneficial to him. He came to the personal realization that the void he felt in his life wasn’t being filled by sexual encounters with other men and described his relationship with Christ as a healing one, and “not a band-aid that falls off” like other things he had tried. I was very grateful to him for sharing such a personal story with a group of people and have the utmost respect for him.

All Catholics are called to love their neighbors as themselves. As a Catholic, I have been taught that all people, regardless of their sexual preference, are to be loved and respected by the Church and its members.

In closing, the Church holds true to Christ’s teachings and does not apply standards about chastity in sexual relationships only to homosexuals; they apply across the board. The Church teaches that all unmarried persons are called to be chaste. It can be challenging, at times, to live perfectly, and Catholics recognize that we are human and therefore sinners. When one falls short of expectations, the Church teaches compassion, charity and forgiveness.

Denise Regan

SAR ’02

SAR ’04