Expert: Edward Bode - 4/6/2005

Question
Hello Edward,

I have a few questions concerning what the Catholic Church Magesterium teaches about homosexual conduct.  Here they go:

1)  Doe the Catholic Church support penalties in
   civil law for sodomy and other homosexual
   acts?

2)  If so, would the penalties (i.e., such as
   incarceration) be just according to the CCC?

3)  If there are laws currently on the books for
   over a hundred years plus in the USA, why
   are they not being enforced and would the
   Catholic Church view them as just.  (I am
   not talking about(I think) the recent US
   Supreme Court decision decriminalizing sodomy
   bewteen agreeing adults)?

4)  Also, if a person who was molested, raped, and
   or indoctrinated into the homosexual
   lifestyle, is one's free will or "choice" to
   choose a heterosexual or chaste life
   diminished?  I have been told (which I
   sincerely believe is untrue)that some
   individuals no longer have a choice to choose,
   because of a childhood wound of molestation)?

5)  How much or how culpable is a person who has
   been entrenched in a homosexual culture for
   years responsible for his acts?


Thank you,



Paul

Answer
Your questions are really beyond my expertize as I am not a moral theologian.
Re 1 & 2 & 3: I am not aware of any official position of the Church on civil criminalization specifgically of homosexual actions.  Generaly speaking, the Church looks for a society in which Catholic values are respected and protected.
I am sorry not to be able to help with your concerns, which I see as very valid and important considerations in regard to the atempts to foist a culture of homesexuality on our country.
Best wishes, Paul.