The Challenge of Change: Acceptance, Faith and Homosexuality in the Catholic Church

Abstract

This essay will examine the traditional Catholic standpoint on the issue of homosexuality as well as the postmodern challenge presented by those studying “gay and lesbian theology.” It will examine how the traditional views on homosexuality within the Catholic Church have come about and the circumstances which propagated this viewpoint. Furthermore, this essay will seek to discuss the postmodern changes proposed by theologians of “gay and lesbian theology” in light of the developments in the social, psychological, scientific and theological understandings of the issue. An exploration of the possible advantages of these proposed changes will also be included in this essay. Finally, this essay will attempt to discuss the steps the Catholic Magisterium would have to take in order to create a theology which accepts and includes LGBT people.