By Jeanette Tan | Yahoo Newsroom – Archbishop William Goh addressed homosexual Catholics in a letter on Thursday, apologising for any "insensitivity" conveyed in his statement last month on same-sex relationships.
He stressed that he is "not at liberty to change" the stance of the universal church, which he continues to answer to, and that "a sexual relationship between same-sex individuals… is not in accordance with the divine plan of God".
He did say, though, that the Catholic Church "does not disapprove of a loving relationship between same-sex individuals that is chaste and faithful".
His letter comes days after a tension-filled weekend where thousands gathered in opposing movements — one pro-gay and the other pro-marriage and family — at the height of a rekindled homosexuality debate in Singapore.
Goh's first statement issued on 21 June was met with criticism from some gay Catholics. These included former opposition politician Vincent Wijeysingha, who penned a diatribe on Facebook questioning the Church's moral authority and launching a 30-year-belated accusation against a priest who allegedly made sexual moves on him when he was younger.
Prefacing his letter on Thursday with the understanding that many Catholics in the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual and queer) community "have expressed hurt, anger and disappointment" in response to it, he said he is "not indifferent" to the "pain and frustration" that many LGBTQ Catholics experience.
"I apologise if my initial statement conveyed insensitivity as from your feedback, I have come to realise that there is much variation in thought and lifestyle within this community," he wrote in the letter, posted on the church's Catholic News website. "I know many of you truly love Christ and His Church, and seek to be faithful to the Gospel. Furthermore, many of you strive to live loving, faithful and chaste lives."
In his letter, the archbishop also addressed the argument that same-sex individuals are born with their inclinations, noting that science has yet to prove this conclusively.
"In contrary, we find that upbringing, culture or education may play a part in nurturing persons with same-sex attraction," he wrote, adding that inner wounds inflicted on a person in childhood through sexual abuse or otherwise can also nurture it.
"Though the verdict on nature or nurture is yet to be defined, it is clear according to scripture (Rom 1:24-28) that a sexual relationship between those of the same gender is not acceptable, as it contradicts the natural laws of God," he wrote.
At the same time, Archbishop Goh followed up on his prior announcement of establishing a pastoral group for LGBTQ Catholics to "journey together in faith, in support of one another, so as to live out God's call to chastity". He also said he has appointed two organisations, which the Church has purview over, to form it.
"Indeed, with God's grace, we will all be able to live the Gospel faithfully and authentically, regardless of our sexual orientation," he concluded.
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-archbishop-writes-letter-to-gay-catholics--says-no-disapproval-of-chaste-same-sex-relationships-050522421.html
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