"Sexuality, then, as part of our human nature only dignifies and liberates us when we begin to love in harmony with God’s love and God’s wisdom for us. Chastity as a virtue is the path that brings us to that harmony with God’s wisdom and love. Chastity moves us beyond one’s desire to what God wills for each one of us. Chastity is love’s journey on the path of 'ascent, renunciation, purification and healing.' Chastity is the understanding that it is not all about me or about us. We act always under God’s gaze. Desire tempered and tested by 'renunciation, purification, and healing' can lead us to God’s design.
"This is true for all of us. It is also true for men and women who are homosexual. We are called to live and love in a manner that brings us into respectful, chaste relationships with one another and an intimate relationship with God. We should be an instrument of God’s love for one another. Let me be clear here. Sexual intercourse, outside of the marriage covenant between a man and a woman, can be alluring and intoxicating but it will not lead to that liberating journey of true self-discovery and an authentic discovery of God. For that reason, it is sinful. ...
"Marriage is also not the sole domain of love as some of the politics would seem to imply. Love is lived and celebrated in so many ways that can lead to a wholesome, earnest, and religious life: the deep and chaste love of committed friends, the untiring love of committed religious and clergy, the profound and charitable bonds among the members of a Christian community, enduring, forgiving, and supportive love among family members. Should we dismiss or demean the human and spiritual significance of these lives given in love?"
— Coadjutor Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, from his stunning (and, for many attendees, shocking) keynote speech to the conference of National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries. Read the full text of his speech and California Catholic's account of how it was received. (Via LifeSiteNews.)
RELATED: Courage is an apostolate loyal to the Magisterium that ministers to Catholics who experience same-sex attraction.
