Every Christian denomination is struggling with L.G.B.T. issues. Whether they concern ordained ministry or simply ordinary participation in church life, the issues surrounding L.G.B.T. Christians threaten to sunder the unity of many church communities. The Catholic Church is no exception, as the reaction to the recent response of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on the blessing of same-sex unions indicates. The Catholic struggle, however, plays out most intensely at the local level—in our parishes.
Consider this situation. A woman, who self-identifies as a lesbian and who has entered a civil marriage with another woman, presents herself for Holy Communion. Her priest is aware of her marriage. Should he share the sacrament with her? Much depends on how that priest sees himself. Is he a pass-giver or a gate-keeper? A pass-giver, who most likely is of a certain age and with a more liberal attitude, inclines to “just give” the sacraments to people upon request. If pressed to provide a theological justification, he may point to inclusivity and mercy—both of which have a firm foundation in the Gospel. A gate-keeper worries about the integrity of the sacraments, the connection with genuine commitment and the danger of scandal. These concerns are also well-founded in the Gospel.
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