Author Topic: How should ex-ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖs be treated? (Read 3921 times)

InfiniteFaith · « **on:** April 08, 2014, 12:18:21 AM »

As you may know, there are some people who claim they have overcome ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ feelings and end up pursuing marriage. If you found out about someone being an ex-ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ then how should they be treated? And yes, I mean someone who has committed sodomy, but repented for it later. Would you focus any special attention towards the individual? Would you be tempted to despise them or treat them indifferently or even prevent them from marrying someone at your Church? Should their past sins follow them around the rest of their lives through rumors etc.?

What about a murderer who later repents?

Tyler · « **Reply #1 on:** April 08, 2014, 12:49:29 AM »

To quote Pope Francis, "Who am I to judge?"

If a sodomite abandons the gαy lifestyle and confesses it to a priest, then we should have no problem with it. God's mercy is not restricted to heterosɛҳuąƖs. We should help guide them on the path of life, not shove them aside.

crossbro · « **Reply #2 on:** April 08, 2014, 12:51:03 AM »

I do not think that I could not secretly help but to detest him.

Anything beyond that ? I don't know unless they tried to marry a member of my family, then I think I would have an issue.

Like I posted in another thread about a coworker who is a registered sex offender- I suspected long before I confirmed it he was a pervert and I have never been able to overcome my animosity towards him.

Mama ChaCha · « **Reply #3 on:** April 08, 2014, 01:11:38 AM »

I would tread exceedingly lightly. sɛҳuąƖ perversion is so acceptable in society that they may fall back into it without any real warning like a drug addict relapses. And it would be very unfair to any potential spouses to not be well informed of their perspective spouse's past. There's nothing like a nasty surprise to invalidate your marriage a child or two later. And hey, if they're really repentant and confident in their faith in Christ, then what's a few rumors? I'm sure there are plenty of rumors flying around about a lot of us who come to the Faith after a sinful life. It's not really the sin of the person with the past, but the sin of the gossips.

Nadir · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2014, 03:40:42 AM »

Quote from: InfiniteFaith

As you may know, there are some people who claim they have overcome ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ feelings and end up pursuing marriage. If you found out about someone being an ex-ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ then how should they be treated?

This person should be treated with respect. Here you only say s/he has overcome sɛҳuąƖ feelings and feelings in themself are not sinful, unless they are nurtured and pandered to.

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And yes, I mean someone who has committed sodomy, but repented for it later.

Ah! but here you say the person was involved in sodomy, but has repented. Again the person is deserving of respect. If he has confessed his sin and repented and sincerely intends never to sin again, he is forgiven. His slate is wiped clean. We are Catholics here and Catholics believe in the grace of a good confession. If that person resolves to enter into the life of grace which the Church offers there is every reason to believe in the possibility of his remaining chaste.

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Would you focus any special attention towards the individual?

I would treat him the same as I treat any other person. After all, every person I have ever met is a sinner, and so am I.

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Would you be tempted to despise them or treat them indifferently or even prevent them from marrying someone at your Church? Should their past sins follow them around the rest of their lives through rumors etc.?

I personally would not, but I can understand if there are some young men who would find the presence of such a person disturbing, but I think that says something about the person with that reaction. It may be a matter of embarrassment or feeling threatened, but I would think that a mature person would be able to cope in that situation. We have to be Christ-like in our approach to others and think to ourselves "How would Jesus act in these circuмstances?" The more we grow in love (charity) the more we are able to deal with all sorts of people in a proper manner. As for preventing their marriage, that is not your role as a layman. It is the role of the priest who has been asked to marry the couple to deal with this. Certainly they should not be tormented by the spreading of rumours.

What about a murderer who later repents?

Ditto for the murderer.