Dear Brad:

Sorry about the delay.

The quote, "who are we to judge" has been taken out of context. In an interview with the Catholic Register, the pope said:

"On that occasion I said this: If a person is gay and seeks out the Lord and is willing, who am I to judge that person?" the pope says. "I was paraphrasing by heart the Catechism of the Catholic Church where it says that these people should be treated with delicacy and not be marginalized."

The Pope is correct. If a homosexual seeks our Lord and is trying to live a chaste life, then what are we to judge? The person doing this is doing what the Lord requires of him — to remain chaste.

It is important, however, to not be an accomplice to another's sin. If anyone is living in sin, and we are in position to say something, then we have a moral obligation to speak to that person. The Catechism tells us:

1868 Sin is a personal act. Moreover, we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them:

- by participating directly and voluntarily in them;

- by ordering, advising, praising, or approving them;

- by not disclosing or not hindering them when we have an obligation to do so;

- by protecting evil-doers.

1869 Thus sin makes men accomplices of one another and causes concupiscence, violence, and injustice to reign among them. Sins give rise to social situations and institutions that are contrary to the divine goodness. "Structures of sin" are the expression and effect of personal sins. They lead their victims to do evil in their turn. In an analogous sense, they constitute a "social sin."

1 Corinthian 13 tells us the "love rejoices in righteousness." Jesus tells is that the "truth shall make us free." Thus, it is not love to accept the sin as if there is nothing wrong with it. In doing so, we withhold the truth from the person causing him to remain in bondage to that sin. We will be held accountable to God for that act of cowardliness and lack of compassion.

We must boldly proclaim the truth. The truth about homosexual sex is that it is an abomination before God, not natural, and disordered. (see Catechism 2396). We must never back down on that truth. The Catechism states:

2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered." They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

Whether or not a homosexual is chaste, we are to offer compassion, within the context of the truth, to all sinners, no matter what the sin.

As for this particular priest you speak of, pray for him. Pray for the bishop to do his job as shepherd. If there are heterodox views presented, counter them with the truth should you have the opportunity. Do not get involved in arguments, but just calmly state the truth in these instances. Let the Holy Spirit do the rest.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary