From the 5pm Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows in Farmington on Sunday, June 25, 2023, the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. This concludes the four-part homily series: Loved by God: A Catholic Response to "Pride Month."
Topic: "Transgenderism"
This is a two-part homily:
Part I: "Transgenderism"
- Loved by God
- Reformers Reform the Wrong Thing
- Can a Person Change Genders?
Part II: Practical
- Integrity
- Tell the Truth... or at least, Don't Lie
- Actions Speak Louder than Words
Conclusion: Identity
Resources:
As promised, below is a list of resources that I hope you find helpful. I think it is Aristotle who talks about the uncanny ability of us human beings to lull our intellects to sleep. As Sheen says: No one is as blind and someone who refuses to see. C.S. Lewis says that the devil doesn't want you to think... because when you think, you pursue the truth, and the Truth is Jesus Christ. I have been studying this subject for years, and will continue to study it. I invite you to make use of these recourses, to engage your minds in pursuit of the Truth.
Support Groups:
- Courage. This is a great support group for those who experience same-sex attraction. It is endorsed by the Catholic Church and founded by a Catholic priest, and describes itself as: "A Roman Catholic apostolate for men and women who experience same-sex attractions and those who love them."
- Encourage. Related to Courage, Encourage is a support group for families and families of those who experience same-sex attraction.
Catholic Literature:
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2357-2359.
- Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral Care, USCCB, 2006.
- Doctrinal Note on the Moral Limits to Technological Manipulation of the Human Body, USCCB, 2023. This is only 14 pages, is excellent, and official (right from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops [USCCB]).
- Imitating Christ's Charity and Chastity, Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, 2019.
- A Catechesis on the Human Person and Gender Ideology, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge.
Recommended Books:
On Homosexuality:
- Why I Don't Call Myself Gay: How I Reclaimed My Sexual Reality and Found Peace, Daniel C. Mattson, 2017. Of all that I have read, this is my personal favorite. It's in five parts. Part III should be read by every man, whether or not they experience same-sex attraction. Part IV is the best explanation of the Catechism's three paragraphs on homosexuality that I have found.
- Made for Love: Same-Sex Attractions and the Catholic Church, Fr. Michael Schmitz, 2017. This is a very good book, is philosophically tight, and is especially helpful for friends and family of adults who experience same-sex attractions. People find his Questions and Answers section at the end of the book to be very helpful.
- The Truth About Homosexuality: The Cry of the Faithful, Fr. John F. Harvey, O.S.F.S., 1996. Fr. John Harvey is the founder of Courage. Coming in at 365 pages, this is a dense book, but is the most complete treatment of homosexuality that I have found.
- Disordered: A Critical Examination of Gay Life and Culture From One Who Survived, Joseph Sciambra, 2019. This is a very raw book, and can be quite dark, but it gives some very good insights from someone who lived the life. (On Amazon, only the Kindle edition is available.)
- Over The Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love, Jonathan Van Ness, 2019. Please note, this is not a Catholic book, and very much promotes the other side. So, why on earth would I recommend it? Reading only Catholic books, I found a few of their claims to be a little tough to believe, Van Ness's book helped to confirm those tough claims. For example, in The Truth About Homosexuality, it is claimed that sexually active gay men average about 60 partners a year. After reading that stat, I was afraid to share it because I wasn't sure whether or not to believe it myself. After reading Van Ness's book, I do indeed believe that stat. Catholic books talk about many in the LGBTQIA+ community being sexually abused as minors. Van Ness tells the story of his abuse. Psychologists talk about control issues and manipulation in the LGBTQIA+ community. Van Ness tells of how when he started acting out sexually, he would reenact his abuse... but this time he was in control. Catholic books talk about the "double-life" that is so often led. Van Ness tells of learning to live a "double-life" when he was only 4 or 5 years old. Again, although this book promotes the other side, I think it very much confirms the Catholic literature.
On Transgenderism:
- The Genesis of Gender: A Christian Theory, Abigail Favale, 2022. This is by far the best book I have read on the subject. It is absolutely excellent! Abigail Favale was a self proclaimed feminist who had completely embraced the LGBTQIA+ ideology--and taught it at the college level--before her conversion to Catholicism.
- When Harry Became Sally, Ryan T. Anderson, 2019. This is perhaps the most complete book on transgenderism. (This was taken off of Amazon.)
- Anything by Walt Heyer. Walt Heyer was born a man, transitioned, and then detransitioned back. At times he lacks in eloquence, and can be a little emotional, but he has been there and done that, and makes some great points. Of what I have read from him, I think his best is:
- Gender, Lies and Suicide: A Whistleblower Speaks Out, Walt Heyer, 2013.
For Parents:
- Made This Way: How to Prepare Kids to Face Today's Tough Moral Issues, Leila Miller with Trent Horn, 2018. This is an excellent book that every Catholic parent needs to read. It is geared more for parents whose children are still minors, and helps to form parents that they may form their children regarding ten of today's tough moral issues, including transgenderism and homosexuality.
Misc:
- What is Marriage? Man and Woman: A Defense, Sherif Girgis, Ryan T. Anderson, and Robert P. George, 2012. This is not specifically about anything in the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, but in defending and defining marriage, it is very helpful in preparing one to defend marriage against all the other pseudo-marriages that are being pushed today.
