Statement on Homosexuals Receiving the Eucharist
"While I accept that people may hold views on the proper expression of their sexual life and identity which differ from the Church's teachings, I deeply regret that such people — who profess the Catholic faith — would choose to mount an ideological demonstration during Mass and especially at Communion time. This is inappropriate.
"Receiving the sacrament is the ultimate expression of our Catholic faith an intensely personal matter between communicant and priest.
"It's not a question of refusing homosexuals or someone who is homosexually oriented. The rule is basically the same for everyone.
"If a person is actually engaged in — by public admission, at any given time — a practice contrary to Church teaching in a serious matter, then that person is not entitled to receive Holy Communion.
"This would apply, for example, to a married person openly living in adultery. Similarly, persons who openly declare themselves active homosexuals, take a position which makes it impossible for them to receive Holy Communion.
"Also, a person who is not a member of the Catholic Church has no right to Catholic Communion, except in exceptional circumstances.
"The Church's view on sexuality I have explained many times before. It is clear and unequivocal, and derives from natural moral law, which we believe is unchanging. Such moral law governs all people everywhere, in precisely the same way, regardless of the circumstances under which they live.
"However, this incident allows me to explain the centrality of the Catholic teaching on marriage and family. Our Judeo-Christian religious tradition allows men and women sexual expression within the bounds of family life, a sexuality which is life-giving. Homosexual acts are contrary to the natural law; they close the sexual act to the gift of life.
"We have had these protests before. Probably they will be with us for quite a time yet. I will pray for the protesters. But they must realise that the Church's teaching on this matter cannot, will not, change.
"Although human weakness is universal and God's mercy infinite, the path to happiness and heaven for a Catholic does not lie in seeking to re-interpret what is right and wrong.
"Rather, one should commit oneself, in good faith, to the Church and its teachings and work towards following these teachings as closely as possible".
Sunday May 31 1998
This item 373 digitally provided courtesy of CatholicCulture.org
