Holy See Stresses Moral Dimension of Sexuality

The Holy See is underlining the moral dimension of sexuality, affirming the freedom of the person in acting in this realm.

Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, permanent representative of the Holy See to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, stated this Tuesday at the 16th Session of the Human Rights Council on "sexual orientation."

"The Holy See wishes to affirm its deeply held belief that human sexuality is a gift that is genuinely expressed in the complete and lifelong mutual devotion of a man and a woman in marriage," the prelate said.He noted that "human sexuality, like any voluntary activity, possesses a moral dimension.""It is an activity which puts the individual will at the service of a finality," the archbishop stated. "It is not an 'identity.'"

"In other words," he clarified, "it comes from the action and not from the being, even though some tendencies or 'sexual orientations' may have deep roots in the personality."

"Denying the moral dimension of sexuality leads to denying the freedom of the person in this matter, and undermines ultimately his/her ontological dignity," Archbishop Tomasi warned.He noted that "this belief about human nature is also shared by many other faith communities, and by other persons of conscience.

"The prelate underlined "a disturbing trend in some of these social debates: People are being attacked for taking positions that do not support sexual behavior between people of the same sex."He observed: "When they express their moral beliefs or beliefs about human nature, which may also be expressions of religious convictions, or state opinions about scientific claims, they are stigmatized, and worse -- they are vilified, and prosecuted."These attacks contradict the fundamental principles announced in three of the council's resolutions of this session."

The archbishop concluded, "The truth is, these attacks are violations of fundamental human rights, and cannot be justified under any circumstances."

Against Undermining the Dignity of the Person
GENEVA, Switzerland, MARCH 24, 2011 (Zenit.org).-