1. There’s a very important distinction to be made between people who are homosexual and engaging in homosexual activity. Having a homosexual orientation just means that a person is sexually attracted primarily to people of their own sex. It is not something chosen, but rather something that has happened to them. Homosexual activity, on the other hand, means actually doing sexual things with someone of the same sex.
2. The Church is not against people who have a homosexual orientation or any other people. Everyone is created in the image and likeness of God and He is madly in love with every single person he created. That includes all people who have a homosexual orientation. The Church is Christ’s presence on earth. Our job, then, is the same: to love each and every person with the love of Christ.
3. It is not a sin to be attracted to someone of the same sex. It can’t be a sin, because it isn’t freely chosen. A sin is something a person decides to do. An attraction, whether to the same sex or to the opposite sex, is something that happens involuntarily, not something chosen.
4. The Church is opposed to homosexual activity – doing sexual things with someone of the same sex. This opposition comes, not out of condemnation, but out of love for the people involved, because it contradicts God’s plan for sex.
5. God designed sex to be used in the context of marriage, for a man and a woman to give themselves to each other and bring a family into the world. To use the sexual function any other way is a sin. All sin cuts a person off from God. It is choosing our own way over his way.
6. People with a homosexual orientation are called to live chastity just like the rest of us. There are thousands of people in the Church who are striving to do just that, despite a homosexual orientation. There are others in the Church who want to live unchaste lives unapologetically and still be full, active members of the Church. They are trying to have it both ways. Christ said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
7. “Friends of Jesus”: During an interview, someone once asked Mother Teresa for her views on homosexuality. She announced that she did not like the word “homosexual.” She paused the interview and told the reporters that if they had any more questions about “homosexuals,” they would refer to them from now on as “friends of Jesus.” This is how the Church invites us to view all people; especially those who might feel misunderstood, unloved, or unwanted.
8. These are the words of God to each of us: “You are precious in my eyes, and honoured, and I love you.” (Isaiah 43:4)

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