Homosexuality and Roman Catholic Youth

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Fr. R. Mattingly, in his 2004 article in "Momentum", stresses that sex scandals within the Roman Catholic Church have forced attention on matters of sexuality that the Church has rarely wished to discuss beyond firm moralizing positions. The author points out that, although the Church still discusses homosexual acts as sinful, Mattingly reminds the reader of the stronger discussion of how all human beings are created in the image of God. The paper relates that, rather than criticizing homosexuality or failing to discuss it, the Church school community should ensure that gay students receive the inclusion and support they need. The author stresses that Mattingly also feels strongly that Roman Catholic schools should be sure that students can discuss matters of sexuality, homosexuality and heterosexuality.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Hazards of Ignoring Homosexuality
Whose Child is it Anyway?
A Positive Environment and Acceptance
Concluding Remarks

From the Paper:

"Accordingly to Mattingly, teachers and other adults must understand what happens when a homosexual youth is not included, not understood or denounced in different ways. When gay students are not given proper support they will experience self-destructive emotions and engage in self-destructive behaviors as what seems a usual set of results. He refers to social scientific research to explain that 40 percent or more of homeless youths in the United States are homosexuals, many of them engaged in substance abuse or confirmed addicts, and that many become HIV positive."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Fr Robert Mattingly SJ. 'Gay Adolescents in Catholic Schools - Avoiding the topic won't make it go away'." Momentum". November/December, 2004, in two Parts

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