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Monthly Feature: Gender Liberation

 

CDF 2021 Responsum Regarding the Blessing of the Unions of Persons of the Same Sex and its implications on the Church’s Mission as Liberating Service to the LGBTQ+ Catholics

(Part 1 of 4)



Why Sexual Liberation?

The questions about human sexuality have rocked the Church whether it is among the feminists, pro-choice Catholics, or in this case, is one raised among LGBTQ+ Catholics and their allies among the clergy and religious. These questions noticeably made the Church turned to a more conservative stance compared to its progressive and active involvement in her social teachings. Sexual questions are social issues that calls us to respond as what the signs of our time demands us. It requires us to have the same missionary rigor as we advocate liberation for those who are oppressed because of their sexual expressions.

For decades since the Sexual Revolution began, we confronted these questions by retreating to our traditional moral teachings on sexual ethics. Because of our stubbornness to listen to this group and as well to dialogue with modern discoveries of behavioral sciences we lost a lot souls in the supposed to be a missionary enterprise to save and win souls for Christ. The recent negative response of the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith serves a major setback to that degree of tolerance which was started by Pope Francis in his pontificate.

The CDF’s responsum surprised not just the German Bishops who openly supports the blessing of same-sex couples but as well those individuals and groups who advocates the rights of LGBTQ+ Catholics in the society and in the Church in particular. As an advocate for HIV-AIDS awareness, I am compelled to give my comments on this document as I also read the responses from different groups about this responsum. In this article, I do not promote gender ideology but a culture of tolerance which is solidly grounded in mercy and compassion. It should come from our understanding of the Church as sheepfold that welcomes everyone who longs to see Christ, the Good Shepherd. That we are just but a means for the reign of God to be fully established in the here and now. Hence, this awareness will lead us to confront injustices and oppression as liberative service in our mission.



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