Case #6: Gay Marriage, Right Reason, and the Public Voice of the Church
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Descriptive Dimension
How does the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith (CDF) describe what is at stake in the issue of gay marriage? On its reading, what is the difference between homosexual acts and homosexual orientation? How is this description like or unlike certain Jewish descriptions of homosexuality?Normative Dimension
What are the goods at stake in this case? Are there real goods at stake for those who wish to enter into homosexual unions? By what principles would one assess the morality of homosexual acts? One what basis can we judge whether there exists right reason when thinking about these matters?
Practical Dimension
Should the leadership of the Catholic Church speak publically on these matters? If so, why? And, more importantly why should this be a matter of law? Is it possible to condemn homosexual acts while working against discrimination based on sexual orientation? Is the pastoral response the same as or different from the public response?
Fundamental Dimension
Are people who are born with a homosexual orientation free to act contrary to their inclinations? Why or why not? Is it possible to build character in sexual life when one's sole focus is in refraining from actions of a certain kind?
Sources for Discernment
How does one determine what counts as "right" reason? Must reason be guided by appeals to scripture, or particular interpretations of scripture, if one is to reason rightly? Do the rational capabilities of each person make that person capable of knowing what is good and pursuing it, or is reason basically flawed and in need of education and guidance by a tradition?
