"The confessor should encourage the person to form stable relationships with persons of both sexes . . . . If a homosexual has progressed under the direction of a confessor, but in the effort to develop a stable relationship with a given person has occasionally fallen into a sin of impurity, he should be absolved and instructed to take measures to avoid the elements which lead to sin without breaking off a friendship which has helped him grow as a person."

Nowhere here do the Bishops allow cohabitation. By 'friendships' the Bishops mean just that, friendship. A relationship between two people who are attracted to eachother, whether two heterosexual people are two homosexual people, is always in a state of potential sin. The Church relies on the two people to use their own conscience to be chaste. Why should the Church duhumnanize homosexuals by telling them that they are not allowed to form stable human relationships? I have plenty of female friends that I am attracted to, but I have never had sex with them or given in to temptation with them. I respect our friendship, and the Church respects me enough to form these healthy friendships.

-- brian (Brian@brian.com), August 05, 2004

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-- (bump@bump.bump), August 06, 2004.

Homosexuals who want to live chastely can contact Courage, a national, Church-approved support group for help in deliverance from the homosexual lifestyle.

Courage, c/o Rev. John Harvey St. Michael’s Rectory 424 W. 34th St., New York, NY 10001 (212) 421– 0426

-- - (David@excite.com), August 06, 2004.