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Just after joining Catholic Church, Tony Blair questions teaching on homosexuality

London, England, April 8 (CNA).-Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, speaking in an interview with a homosexual magazine, has advocated that Pope Benedict XVI "rethink" the Catholic position on homosexual acts. The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered" but does not comment on homosexuality's origins. The Church also calls on Christians to treat homosexuals with "respect, compassion, and sensitivity," the Catechism of the Catholic Church says.

Blair, who converted to Catholicism in 2007, told the gay-oriented magazine Attitude there was a "generation difference" on the issue.

"Actually, we need an attitude of mind where rethinking and the concept of evolving attitudes becomes part of the discipline with which you approach your religious faith," he said. He argued that there is "fear" among religious leaders that "if you concede ground on an issue like this, because attitudes and thinking evolve over time, where does that end?"

"You'd start having to rethink many, many things. Now, my view is that rethinking is good, so let's carry on rethinking," he said.

"Look, there are many good and great things the Catholic Church does, and there are many fantastic things this pope stands for," Blair said.

"But I think what is interesting is that if you went into any Catholic church, particularly a well-attended one, on any Sunday here and did a poll of the congregation, you'd be surprised at how liberal-minded people were."

In 2008 the former prime minister launched the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. According to the mission statement posted on its website, the foundation aims to "promote respect and understanding about the world's major religions and show how faith is a powerful force for good in the modern world."

How sad. What else can I say?!?

The Apostle warns: "Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
nor...covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers...will inherit the kingdom
of God" (1 Cor. 6:9,10).

Well said, Alice. I guess we need more Bible study in RCIA classes.

Looks like Blair really needs to be SCHOOLED.

The teaching of the Truth is not based on what "liberal minded" people believe or their opinions, it is based on Divine Revelation!
Stephanos I
Mr Blair does indeed need to go back to school.

Why?

Because he suggest the Church rethink something that is not yet complete?

I don't think so.

I don't see anywhere Mr. Blair stating that homosexual acts need to be deemed morally "good".

However, I do believe the Catholic Church has still some homework to do as to how to treat our homosexual brothers and sisters with respect, compassion, sensitivity and dignity, as we ourselves say we should.

The "what", in my opinion, is clear. The "how" does need more thought.

I think we also need to re-think our priorities, because going by the number of Biblical passages dealing with each issue, I'd say God is much more concerned about social justice than the morality of homosexual acts.

And yet, here we are, as soon as someone shows some compassion towards homosexuals, we have very vocal condemnations and yet, people are still dying trying to cross a border, starving to death, working in sub-human conditions (if working at all), being (homo and hetero)sexually exploited, etc.

Our generation is obsessed with sex, one way or another. I honestly do not believe God shares our obsession.

Shalom,
Memo

Hm. When he was received into the Church, I suppose he was asked the usual questions of whether he accepts all of the Church's teachings in their entirety, to which I suppose he answered "yes." So either he is a liar, or he has changed his opinion rather quickly!

Alexis

Memo, I would definitely agree with our society's obsession with sex. I think we often don't react as strongly to sins that are just as bad and damaging as we do to things sexual. Perhaps sex justs gets more attention. We have a long way to go before we have a culture that can claim to actually follow the teachings of Christ.

Yes, dear Memo...our world is full of the pain and sins of our fallen nature.

Horrible inhumanity of man towards his fellow man, women and children of sexual and non-sexual nature does indeed occur every day in every country of this world.

However, that does not mean that we should allow those who wish to impose a new fangled notion of morality upon the masses to do it. Giving in to sin may be fun and giving in to sin may be enjoyable, but it does have its consequences on our personal salvation..and allowable sin ultimately leads to more sin, and more sin is what leads to the horrific, unspeakable crimes we hear of today...

The Church has an obligation to its children to not allow them to *believe* that their behavioural sins are without consequence.

I posted a story here a couple of weeks ago about a saint/Fool for Christ who lived in contemporary Athens. One of his neighbors in another apartment building was a transvestite prostitute. Crazy John (the fool for Christ), went to his door one night and exorcised a demon the transvestite man said he had never knew was in him and had never heard speak until that day.

He (the former transvestite) gave his testimony to the writing of this book to show that any disordered passion, and that can be anything--not only sexual-- can be attributed to demonic influence and if allowed to get out of hand, demonic possession as we heard in this particular testimony.

So, I wouldn't discount the grave danger which a person's sinful behaviour, (and this can be any passion of an extreme) if it gets out of hand without contrition and effort to change it, can have on a soul.

This is why the Church MUST steer us correctly.

In Christ,
Alice

To this question I think the CCC is very clear. You should read it! (if you already have'nt)
Stephanos I

Blaire is simply an arrogant manwho hinks because he held a position of world promenance he has a riht to foist his views, and is of the same liberal mindset that thinks th Church can and should chane its teachings, as if this is a democracy.

He's simply an arrogant fool.

He is also someone who believes preemptive war is just and Christian.

Memo:

Thank you for what I perceive to be a good handle on the issue of sexuality in the church. I believe that God wants to let us know that there are "bigger fish to fry" than the subject of homosexuality.

I know it is a difficult subject to deal with but I would hope that folks who rage over this would go back to reading the whole of those Hebrew scriptures that deal with this and other abominations against the Lord.

I appreciate your postings. I am a retired Episcopal priest, living in Mississippi who deeply loves his ruthenian heritage.

Christos Voskresse!


Fr. Mike Dobrosky

Christ is Risen!

Ultimately we submit to the Church on these issues and Church Teaching is clear.

To briefly summarize, having a homosexual tendency is not sinful. Engaging in homosexual activity is immoral and sinful (given the appropriate awareness). Sexual activity is only blessed when it occurs within Christian marriage (one man and one woman). Those who engage in sexual activity outside of Christian marriage are called to repentance and then to live in abstinence.

As far as DewiMelkite's comment, the issues of Just War (including preemptive war) are different. One may support preemptive war and remain a good Catholic. Pope Benedict XVI spoke to this in his speech to the United Nations last April. Essentially the Church has stated that all war is a failure but some wars are just. One may support or oppose the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and remain in good standing with the Church. One may not reject the Church's Teaching on sexuality and do so.

But these issues have been discussed numerous times. I recommend to those interested in reading more to use the search function.

Let us remember to pray for our political leaders - that the Lord lead them to Him, and that they embrace the teaching of the Church on all issues.

Dear Fr. Mike,

First of all, thank you for your kind words.



I agree.

Other than the adjective of "abominable", the sin of homosexual intercourse is not treated any differently than any other grave crime against the Sixth Commandment.

Especially when it comes to punishment, homosexual intercourse is just as grave as adultery.

My point is that my peception is that a good number of our conservative church members appear to be more vocal and agressive in their condemnation of those who practice homosexual intercourse than those who commit adultery.

This praxis is, in my opinion, contrary to Scripture. Both homosexual intercourse and adultery are gravely sinful, no doubt about that.

But our approach to those who commit these sins should be similar, and following the model our Lord gave us: The prescribed remedy for these evils is Truth *and* Compassion. Not one without the other.

BTW, I have read the CCC, and I find my views about this matter entirely consistent with it.

Maybe I am being naive, but is Mr. Blair actually suggesting to go beyond "Truth and Compassion"?

If he is, then I would agree: He is wrong.

But isn't "Truth and Compassion" something that requires a LOT of thinking and re-thinking? After all, is there such a thing as "cookie-cutter" Compassion?

Shalom,
Memo