Theologian opponent of ‘Humanae vitae’ reveals himself as an “active homosexual
Imagine how shocked I am at this news.
From Catholic Culture:
Theologians’ conflicts of interest
Gregory Baum, one of the influential theologians who led the charge against Humanae Vitae, has now revealed that he is, and has been since the 1960s, an active homosexual. [What a shock. Still, I guess that’s better than being a passive homosexual.]
Are you surprised? No; it’s a familiar story. [Nah… I was just kidding about being surprised.] A theologian writes that it’s unrealistic to expect people to live in sexual continence, and eventually we learn that the theologian isn’t willing or able to control his own sexual impulses. So he has a vested interest in changing Church teaching; that teaching is an indictment of his behavior. [It’s like the seminary prof who taught moral theology – HAH! – at my old seminary. He wrote and wrote against Veritatis splendor… before he outed himself and left active ministry (a good choice – fidelity would have been better, but I’ll take it. It’s like a vocations director of my native place who… never mind. You get the idea.]
The editors of medical journals understand the danger involved in conflicts of interest. If a researcher wants to publish an article on the effectiveness of a new drug or device, he is required to certify that he has no financial ties to the manufacturer. The reasons for that policy are obvious.
I propose a similar policy regarding the work of theologians who question the Church’s teachings on human sexuality. When submitting an article for publication, they should send along a signed statement, testifying that they have lived chastely, in accordance with their state in life, for the past ten years. Then at least readers can feel some degree of confidence that the article is not a special pleading, an elaborate excuse for the author’s personal weaknesses.
[…]
Look. I have serious admiration for those who suffer from “same sex attraction” who live chaste lives. They must bear a truly painful burden. Yesterday I ranted for awhile about how we need to be willing to suffer when we resist temptations. HERE I imagine that that affliction must be a real cross to bear. It could very well be that these people, striving for holiness, will eventually have very high places in Heaven because of what they endured in this life.
To all those out there who have this affliction (no, it is not a blessing), our prayers and high hopes are with you. Avoid temptations and avoid scandal. Be strong. Persevere.
