What does the Bible and the Catholic Church say about homosexuality ?

 The Bible and the Catholic Church have complex and evolving views on homosexuality. While there are passages in the Bible that have been interpreted as condemning homosexual acts, there are also passages that emphasize love, compassion, and acceptance. The Catholic Church's official stance on homosexuality has also evolved over time, with a greater emphasis on understanding and acceptance in recent years.

The Bible contains several passages that have been interpreted as condemning homosexual acts. For example, Leviticus 18:22 states, "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination." Similarly, Romans 1:26-27 states, "For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error."

However, there are also passages in the Bible that emphasize love, compassion, and acceptance. For example, John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Similarly, Galatians 3:28 states, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

The Catholic Church's official stance on homosexuality has also evolved over time. In the past, the Church has condemned homosexual acts as sinful. However, in recent years, there has been a greater emphasis on understanding and acceptance. In 2013, Pope Francis famously said, "Who am I to judge?" when asked about gay priests. He has also called for the Church to be more welcoming to LGBT people.

While the Bible and the Catholic Church have complex and evolving views on homosexuality, there is a growing trend towards understanding and acceptance. This is reflected in the increasing number of Catholic churches that are welcoming to LGBT people.