Questions to the Moralist - Personal Web Server - Boston College

Since same-sex marriage was made legal in Massachusetts just months ago I was trying
to know and understand what moral theologians say about this; I know of the church's
stand more or less. this issue on homosexuality has not been discussed in depth in my
previous moral courses; perhaps because in Philippine context it is still a sensitive area.
What do moral theologians say about same-sex marriages?
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Fr. Jim, I was just curious about homosexuality. Can a person be justified engaging
homosexual relationship as well as homosexual activities, when in fact he doing it for the
good of his family and his mother who is a cancer patient. He needs money for the
medical treatment of his mother and food for his brothers and sister. If not his mother's
life will ruin as will as his brothers and sisters. His partner can provide anything he needs.
Indeed, it is difficult for him to separate. His intention is for the good of his mother who
is in the portal of death. He has no other means except to continue their relationship.
I think this case is quite similar to a prostitute that we have discussed before. But this
time is homosexual relationship engaging sexual activities.
thanks,
Fr. Bretzke replies:
Thanks for your question, and it is a difficult one, though the answer I gave to the
prostitution case would be similar to the answer here. However, from a pastoral
perspective we might want to help the man see if in actual fact there are indeed no other
avenues open to him except to continue a relationship (which I gather involves financial
remuneration for sexual favors granted). Will such a relationship be truly promotive of
his human flourishing? Those are the sorts of questions I would want to explore with
him, keeping in mind that at the end of the discussion it will have to be the man himself
(and not the priest) who stands before God with the decisions made. Thus the man
himself has to try and decide best what to do in the light of God’s light and love.
regarding Nutrition and Hydration:
1) how do we distinguish PVS from coma--in other words, how do we know one is aware
of himself or not?
2) how do we decide whether nutrition and hydration are 'part of medical therapy' (and
hence could be extra-ordinary means) or simply 'nutrition and water'?
p.s. what is the difference between the 'revised version of P of Double Effect' and 'the P
of Proportionalism/Proportionate Reason' ? it seems both emphasize ONTIC EVIL .
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