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Olmsted letter - pastoral care for homosexuals

I would like to commend Bishop Olmsted for his second letter regarding homosexuality titled, "The pastoral care of homosexual persons." Few leaders seem to be able to provide pastoral care for this needy group and at the same time stand uncompromisingly against the sin of homosexuality. The letter grew out of a controversy that developed when the Bishop asked nine Arizona Catholic priests to withdraw their support of the Phoenix Declaration (see the Arizona Republic Article). Among other statements, the Declaration states,

Homosexuality is not a sickness, not a choice, and not a sin . . .

Prior to Bishop Olmsted, the group Courage, Clarity and Charity issued a declaration on homosexuality based upon the truth of God's Word. I quote it below.

Love for neighbor compels us to remind those who are caught in the depths of sin that God in His holiness will not be mocked--He will bring judgment against sin. It is not an act of oppression or hate to point out the Divine condemnation of homosexuality. Rather, it is an act of kindness. We are opposed to the ill-treatment that many people in favor of homosexuality have experienced, yet we deny that our disagreement and presentation of the Bible’s teaching with regard to this subject constitutes ill-treatment, hatred, or bigotry. In speaking the truth about the nature of homosexuality and God’s opposition to it, we simultaneously hold forth the message of God’s grace. God can and does forgive those who forsake the sin of homosexuality. God can and does bring freedom from bondage and cleansing of conscience to those who turn to Jesus Christ in faith and repentance (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Romans 3:21-26; 6:1-14; Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 Timothy 1:5; Hebrews 10:19-22). It is false compassion to accept and affirm those who are unrepentant in homosexuality. Charity demands that we speak the truth about God’s holiness and His gospel.

Posted by tim at May 17, 2004 10:19 PM

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