The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Episode: Day 308 – Same-Sex Attraction (2025)

Date: November 4, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)
Readings: Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs 2357–2363

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode tackles the sensitive subject of homosexuality and same-sex attraction within the broader context of Catholic teaching on sexuality and chastity. Fr. Mike Schmitz carefully reads and explains Catechism paragraphs 2357–2363, emphasizing the Church’s call for compassion, respect, and truth. He frames the teaching not as something merely directed “at others,” but as part of the Church’s broader vision for all people to pursue chastity, self-mastery, and sainthood—regardless of sexual orientation. The discussion aims to balance theological clarity with pastoral charity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Sensitivity and Respect

• Fr. Mike acknowledges the emotionally charged nature of this discussion and urges listeners to approach it “as brothers and sisters,” with “respect, care, and as disciples of Jesus.”
  • Quote (03:35): “We're going to walk into this teaching with as much respect, with as much care because...many people in our Catechism in a Year community, this is part of their experience.”

2. Chastity: The Overarching Context

• All are called to chastity—integrating sexuality within the person for unity and procreation.
• Chastity isn’t exclusive to those experiencing same-sex attraction, but applies universally.
  • Quote (06:03): “Chastity is for all of us...every one of us is made in God’s image. Every one of us has a dignity. Every one of us is made for love.”

3. Explaining Church Teaching: Paragraphs 2357–2359

• What is Homosexuality?
  • Reference to longstanding presence across cultures; genesis (origins) still largely unexplained.
  • Church distinguishes between same-sex attraction (inclination) and homosexual acts.
• Why Are Homosexual Acts Disordered?
  • They “close the sexual act to the gift of life” and lack “genuine affective and sexual complementarity.”
  • The purpose (“what it isness”) of sex is unity and procreation; actions that deviate are “disordered,” not in a punitive sense, but in not achieving these ends.
    • Quote (13:32): “Homosexual acts by their very nature can never be generative. Right? They can never bring forth life. Therefore, homosexual acts are always going to be distorted.”
  • Analogies offered, e.g., eating meant for nourishment and pleasure—purging after eating violates the purpose; similarly, violations in sexuality’s purpose are also distortions.

4. Scripture and Tradition

• The Catechism bases its teaching “on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity.”
• Fr. Mike refutes claims that biblical condemnations only address abuse or power, noting that the Church tradition has always held such acts as intrinsically disordered.
  • Quote (33:55): “Anyone who's going to say that that's not the case, they're distorting scripture for the sake of their own agenda.”

5. Dignity and Compassion: Church’s “Yes”

• The Catechism and Fr. Mike underscore the dignity of all people:
  • Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity for those with same-sex attraction—unjust discrimination “should be avoided.”
  • The “trial” of this inclination is acknowledged; no one chooses their inclinations.
    • Quote (38:50): “They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Absolutely. Amen, 100%.”
    • Quote (39:45): “Every person must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. This is the official teaching of the Church.”

6. Universal Call to Chastity and Perfection

• Both heterosexual and homosexual persons are called to chastity and self-mastery (inner freedom).
• Through prayer, friendship, and grace, all can pursue Christian perfection—sainthood.
  • Quote (46:00): “By the virtues of self mastery, by the support of friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.”
• Friendship (Philia) and sacrificial love (Agape) are highlighted as goods—even central paths for all, including those who are single or same-sex attracted.

7. Suffering and Sainthood

• Everyone has crosses in life; struggles with sexuality or other difficulties do not “disqualify” anyone from sanctity.
• Suffering and self-denial can become a “ladder to heaven”—a way to draw closer to Christ.
  • Quote (51:55): “If it wasn’t this, it’d be something else…this cross can actually become a ladder. It can actually become a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block that gets us closer and closer to Jesus.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [03:35] Fr. Mike:
  “We're going to walk into this teaching with as much respect, with as much care, because many people...this is part of their experience.”
• [06:03] Fr. Mike:
  “Chastity is for all of us. Every one of us is made in God's image.”
• [13:32] Fr. Mike:
  “Homosexual acts by their very nature can never be generative. They can never bring forth life. Therefore, homosexual acts are always going to be distorted.”
• [33:55] Fr. Mike:
  “Anyone who's going to say that that's not the case, they're distorting scripture for the sake of their own agenda.”
• [38:50] Fr. Mike:
  “They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Absolutely. Amen, 100%.”
• [46:00] Fr. Mike:
  “By the virtues of self mastery, by the support of friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.”
• [51:55] Fr. Mike:
  “If it wasn’t this, it’d be something else…this cross can actually become a ladder. It can actually become a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block that gets us closer and closer to Jesus.”

Important Segment Timestamps

• [00:06–04:50] — Framing the episode; prayer; compassionate approach
• [04:51–13:50] — Recap on chastity, unity, and purpose of sexuality
• [13:51–21:00] — Homosexuality: Church definition and context
• [21:01–34:50] — Nature of sexual acts; “what it isness”; analogy with other appetites
• [34:51–40:00] — Scriptural and traditional basis; compassion and respect emphasized
• [40:01–47:00] — Universal call to chastity; friendship, self-mastery, and Christian perfection
• [47:01–52:30] — Suffering, the “cross,” and the possibility of sainthood for all

Tone & Overall Message

• Balanced, Pastoral, and Unflinching: Fr. Mike tones the episode with both theological integrity and emotional sensitivity, mindful of listeners who may experience same-sex attraction or have loved ones who do.
• Universal Application: The teachings on sexuality, chastity, and sainthood apply to everyone—no room for us/them dichotomies.
• Encouragement & Hope: Struggles can be sanctified; the journey toward holiness is never foreclosed by orientation or difficulty.

Summary for New Listeners

Fr. Mike Schmitz carefully explains the Catholic Church's nuanced position on same-sex attraction, emphasizing the dignity and call to holiness of every person—no exceptions. He grounds the discussion in the Church’s broad teaching on chastity and sexuality but focuses especially on how those with same-sex attraction are not singled out for exclusion, but rather invited into the universal Christian pursuit of sainthood, self-mastery, and authentic love. The episode is pastoral, honest, and imbued with compassion, offering both clarity and a message of hope.