a helpful and important one when dealing with the complex issue of homosexuality, particularly in the educational and pastoral arena" . In brief, evidence indicates that being homosexual—that is, "experiencing an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex"—is most often an experience that is discovered, not freely chosen . With the onset of puberty, and its associated hormonal changes, every adolescent boy and girl begins to discover sexual attractions, desires, fantasies and feelings. For the majority of people, this attraction is primarily focused toward members of the opposite sex. Thus, their orientation is termed "heterosexual." But for a relatively small but significant percentage of the population, homosexual persons, this attraction or orientation is primarily toward their own gender. Bisexual persons seem to be somewhat equally drawn to members of both sexes. While having a homosexual (or even a bisexual) orientation is not typical, it is not in itself morally wrong or sinful. Since in most cases it is discerned or discovered, not freely chosen, it is not automatically blameworthy . Thus the Church has taken a fairly benign or accepting stance toward homosexual persons—who discover their desires and inclinations (i.e., orientation) toward same-sex sexual activity. Yet the Church has consistently taught that to act on these inclinations, particularly to engage in homosexual genital acts, is always objectively morally wrong. Here the Church attempts to be true to the core premises of our Catholic sexual-ethics tradition, while at the same time fostering basic human respect, justice and pastoral care toward gay and lesbian persons. Accept the orientation, not the actions. As the Catholic bishops state it: "We believe that it is only within a heterosexual marital relationship that genital sexual activity is morally acceptable. Only within marriage does sexual intercourse fully symbo...
