12:46am EST
VATICAN:"HOMOSEXUALITY DESTABILIZES SOCIETY": In some of the strongest wording yet written by any denomination on the matter the Vatican newspaper today said blatantly that homosexuality "destabilizes society" and has no "social or moral value."
The author of the piece is a French priest who is also a licensed psychologist.
Some of the stunning stuff:
"During these past years, homosexuality has become a phenomenon that is always increasingly worrying and in many countries is considered a quality that is normal," the article in L'Osservatore Romano said.
The article was specifically approved by the Vatican's secretariat of state.
"It (homosexuality) does not represent a social value and even less so a moral virtue that could add to the civilization of sexuality," Anatrella said. "It could even be seen as a destabilizing reality for people and for society."
The Catholic Church, the article said, had a duty to reaffirm its position that homosexuality is "against conjugal life, the life of the family, and priestly life".
"In no case is this form of sexuality a sexual alternative, or even less, a reality that is equivalent to that which is shared by a man and a woman engaged in matrimonial life," the Italian-language article said.
"It (homosexuality) cannot be encouraged or even less so, supported with pastoral initiatives," it said in an apparent reference to Catholic priests who administer to homosexuals without reminding them of the Church's position against gay sex.
It said homosexuality was "a sexual tendency and not an identity" and repeated the Church's stand against allowing gays to marry or to adopt children. It also called homosexuality "an incomplete and immature part of human sexuality".
Watch as this bit of doctrinal practice and gets assaulted over the next series of days. It won't take long.
