James and the rainbow filter

“Bigots, bigots everywhere”

These were the words posted by my homosexual friend in the social media. An advocate of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) rights, James (not his real name) is an online debater who defends the homosexuals.

We are good friends, and having an intellectual conversation with him is fun. I share my beliefs to him. He would share his, too and we often end up debating. But what surprises me is that he does not believe that the Church accepts the homosexuals. He then shared the reasons why.

Once, he attended a church service of a certain religious sect when the pastor preached about how God hated homosexuality and how the pastor disrespected his brother for being a gay. Since then, he questioned the integrity of God. Why would God reject them?

Is he not good then? Recently, I saw his profile picture filtered with rainbows, carrying with it the hashtag #celebratepride.

So what is this so-called ‘celebration of pride’? Last June 26, with the vote of 4-5, US Supreme Court ruled ‘gay marriage as legal in all states.’ This is good news for the LGBT community, but alarming to the faithful.

I remembered in our parish, where we have a handful of gays who actively are serving. They serve with all their hearts. They ‘color’ our programs and masses (literally), for they take good care of the Arts and Environment Committee.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) says that “They must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity.” Are they really salot ng lipunan? Evil? Psychologically problematic? The answer is NO.

Homosexuality is identified in two segments, namely the ‘homosexual orientation’ and the ‘homosexual acts’. Homosexual orientation is by being effeminate. But, a homosexual act is the engagement to like sexual intercourse to the same sex.

There is a site called gaychristians.org which features gay Christians who choose celibacy to avoid committing sin. This is the way of life introduced by the Roman Catholic Church.

This is the most ideal way for Catholic gays, to live in single blessedness and celibacy and dedicate their lives to God.

What we must understand is that these people are not cursed, these people are not evil. All of us have our own crosses. Their identity crisis might be their own cross. A cross that they need to overcome because, “These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition” (CCC).

Let us stop bullying and persecuting. Let us understand and guide our LGBT brothers and sisters. Let us help each other carry our crosses. Let us manifest the love of God.

Christ said: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Christian Coronado|SMP Soccom)