The "Academic Statement on the Ethics of Free and Faithful Same-Sex Relationships,” by the Wijngaards Institute, a non-profit academic think tank in the U.K., which focuses on Catholic Issues. This “academic” study is an insightful presentation of recent research and thinking about homosexuality which, among others, presents a carefully documented refutation of current Roman Catholic teaching on homosexuality. The two principal points in this study are that (a) The Bible does not address the question of homosexual orientation and relationships as we understand them to be today, and (b) The standard Catholic insistence that homosexuality is “intrinsically disordered” because it is non-procreative is compromised by Church teaching about non-procreative heterosexuality. Near the beginning of the document, its purpose has been well stated:

“Point by Point the Academic Statement punctually demonstrates that the entire biblical argumentation long considered fundamental for the condemnation of homosexuality can no longer be considered as such in light of the development of the human sciences and biblical studies. . . . Indeed, the biblical world could not have known same-sex orientation as an essential characteristic of human sexuality.”

This document is available on line. Bring it to your non-affirming priest or pastor if you dare. But above all, take it to heart. Please!!!