What does the Catholic Church say about homosexuality?
The Church teaches that the dignity and rights of homosexual persons must be respected and distinguishes between homosexual orientation and homosexual activity. Homosexual orientation in and of itself is morally neutral, but genital homosexual relations are sinful, in the same way that genital heterosexual relations outside marriage are immoral. Only within marriage between a man and a woman can sexual intercourse become an act of covenant love and be potentially open to new life. Can homosexuals be Catholics? All baptized persons without exception are called to holiness. (AOC ΒΆ 9) Catholics must recognize the right and responsibility of the Church to teach about sexual morality. In making moral decisions on matters pertaining to sexual morality, all Catholics are responsible for acquiring a thorough knowledge of Church teaching, taking such teaching seriously, and acting on it from an informed conscience. Ultimately, the individual conscience is inviolable. However, since there exist
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