The Church and the Homosexual
Encyclopedia
The Church and the Homosexual is a book published in 1976 by theologian John J. McNeill
.
. It also sought to establish the notion that the Bible
does not condemn homosexuality. The book is notable in the field of moral theology
in that it was among the first of such books to argue from this point of view.
, when the CDF
first attempted to silence authors dissenting from Church teachings on homosexuality, it specifically highlighted the errors contained in McNeill's The Church and the Homosexual.
John J. McNeill
John J. McNeill was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1959 and now is a psychotherapist and an academic theologian, with a particular reputation within the field of Queer Theology.-Academic career:...
.
Goal of the book
The goal of the book was to fully examine and challenge the Catholic Church's official traditional attitudes toward homosexualityHomosexuality and Roman Catholicism
In Roman Catholicism, homosexual acts are considered contrary to natural law and sinful, while homosexual desires are considered "disordered" but not themselves sinful. The Catholic Church considers human sexual behavior to be sacred, when properly expressed...
. It also sought to establish the notion that the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
does not condemn homosexuality. The book is notable in the field of moral theology
Moral theology
Moral theology is a systematic theological treatment of Christian ethics. It is usually taught on Divinity faculties as a part of the basic curriculum.- External links :*...
in that it was among the first of such books to argue from this point of view.
CDF reaction
According to Charles CurranCharles Curran (theologian)
The Rev. Charles E. Curran is a moral theologian. He currently serves at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, as the Elizabeth Scurlock University Professor of Human Values.-Biography:...
, when the CDF
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith , previously known as the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition , and after 1904 called the Supreme...
first attempted to silence authors dissenting from Church teachings on homosexuality, it specifically highlighted the errors contained in McNeill's The Church and the Homosexual.