Stuck Between Two Worlds: The Dilemma of Homosexuality in The Roman Catholic Church

Year 2023, Volume: 11 Issue: 30, 161 - 189, 30.05.2023

Duygu Mete , Süleyman Turan

https://doi.org/10.31126/akrajournal.1273874

Abstract

This article deals with the view of the Roman Catholic Church on homosexuality and homosexual relationships. In this context, the study examines the historical development of the Church’s teachings on homosexuality based on the biblical literature, the opinions of the Church Fathers, published statements and the statements of the popes. As a matter of fact, since the second half of the twentieth century, the LGBT+ movement, which has gained a global momentum with its discourses on gender inequality, sexual orientation and freedom of sexual preference, has also become a matter of concern for the Church. In the documents it announced on the subject, the Roma Curia continued its constant teaching that homosexual acts are a sin against the law of nature and chastity. In terms of reactions from within the church, the teachings of the Magisterium on this subject were accepted by traditionalist Catholic theologians, but were criticized by some revisionist theologians. The theologians between these two groups accept the teachings of the Church on the subject, however they argue that homosexuals should be given pastoral care. This approach, followed by Pope Francis, who has a relatively moderate rhetoric towards homosexuals, requires that a bridge be built between the Church and homosexual Catholics and they should be accompanied with compassion.

Keywords

Roman Catholic Church, homosexuality, gender, LGBTQIA+, Pope Francis

İki Dünya Arasında Sıkışmak: Roma Katolik Kilisesi’nde Eşcinsellik Dilemması

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Roma Katolik Kilisesi’nin eşcinselliğe ve eşcinsel birlikteliklere bakışını konu edinmektedir. Bu bağlamda çalışmada Kutsal Kitap literatürü, Kilise babalarının görüşleri, yayımlanan bildiriler ve papaların söylemlerinden hareketle Kilise’nin eşcinselliğe ilişkin öğretilerinin tarihsel gelişimi incelenmektedir. Nitekim yirminci yüzyılın ikinci yarısından itibaren toplumsal cinsiyet eşitsizliği, cinsel yönelim ve cinsel tercih özgürlüğü söylemleri ile küresel çapta büyük bir ivmeye sahip olan LGBTQIA+ hareketi, Kilise için de önemli bir endişe meselesi haline gelmiştir. Konu hakkında ilan ettiği belgelerde Roma Curia, eşcinsel eylemlerin doğa yasasına ve iffete aykırı bir günah olduğu yönündeki sürekli öğretisini devam ettirmiştir. Kilise içinden gelen tepkiler açısından bakıldığında ise Magisterium’un bu konudaki öğretileri, gelenekçi Katolik teologlar cephesinde kabul görürken bazı revizyonist teologlar tarafından ise tepkiyle karşılanarak eleştirilmiştir. Bu iki grup arasında kalan teologlar ise konuya ilişkin Kilise öğretilerini kabul etmekle birlikte eşcinsellere pastoral yardımda bulunulması gerektiğini savunmaktadır. Eşcinsellere yönelik nispeten ılımlı bir söyleme sahip olan Papa Francis’in de takip ettiği bu yaklaşım, Kilise ile eşcinsel Katolikler arasında bir köprü kurularak onlara merhametle eşlik edilmesini gerektirmektedir.

Keywords

Roma Katolik Kilisesi, eşcinsellik, cinsiyet, LGBTQIA+, Papa Francis

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