Priest in Spain who preached on the affective disorder of homosexuality publicly harassed

CNA Newsroom, Dec 29, 2022 / 17:00 pm

Father Oscar Martín, a priest of the Diocese of Ciudad Real, Spain, has been publicly harassed for preaching the Catholic doctrine on homosexuality, explaining in a homily that the lack of parental affection in childhood is the origin of same-sex attraction “in many cases.”

Martín is a rural parish priest serving the towns of Villarta de San Juan, Cinco Casas and Arenas de San Juan.

The priest celebrated Mass Dec. 16 in the parish of Santa María La Mayor in his hometown, Consuegra, to commemorate the second day of the triduum for Our Lady of Hope.

In the homily, he began by discussing the Virgin expectantly waiting during her pregnancy with Jesus and how the desires of the heart “are never unknown to God.” And speaking of longings, he explained that there are times when the person is unaware of their origin.

From there, he went on to address the issue of those who feel same-sex attraction.

Martín explained that “in many cases, this comes from a lack that was not satisfied at the beginning of his life, in the first days, months of his life.”

Specifically, he referred to someone born “with a special sensitivity, more sensitive, more in need of attention, affection, kisses, hugs, games, physical contact with his father.”

At times, “he hasn't been given it or he hasn't been given enough of it.” Consequently , the priest said, “that void, that lack remains there and comes out. The person ends up being confused.”

In such a way that a lack of esteem in childhood is expressed in these people “with that sexual content” when “what he seeks is healthy affection and healthy affection from another man, which he has not received as a child.”

Martín continued from the ambo, asserting that for those who experienced this same-sex attraction “the healthy love of a friend, affection, closeness, the healthy, chaste hug of a friend would be a great help.”

In this way, “if he wants, with a little effort and with help like what I'm talking about, he can change his situation.”

The priest's words were referenced in the local media in such a way that a public controversy was created. This led to the condemnation of organizations such as the Comisiones Obreras union and the call to carry out an act of harassment against the priest.

The video of the public harassment of the priest was posted on Twitter Dec. 27 by Ricardo Chamorro, a lawmaker of the conservative Vox political party representing Ciudad Real in the national congress.

The video shows the priest being followed by a mob of people who are booing him and shouting “away with him!”

The Diocese of Ciudad Real has confirmed to ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language sister news agency, that this act of public protest against Father Martín did indeed take place, but was not able to specify the exact date. The same sources said that the diocese will provide no public reaction to what happened.

The Church and homosexuality

The Catechism of the Catholic Church addresses the question of homosexuality in Nos. 2357, 2358 and 2359, explaining that those who experience same-sex attraction “must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.”

At the same time, it notes that “every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.”

The Church also teaches that homosexual tendencies are “objectively disordered” and that same-sex attraction “constitutes for most of them a trial.”

Regarding homosexual acts, the Catechism states that “they are intrinsically disordered” and “do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity,” such that “under no circumstances can they be approved.”

“Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection,” the Catechism teaches.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.