TY - JOUR AU - Nwosu, Patrick U. PY - 2015/01/01 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - Roman Catholic Perspective of Sin and Homosexuality: Scrutinizing the Signs of the Times JF - TSEBO: Journal of Humanities JA - TSEBO VL - 2 IS - 5 SE - Research Articles DO - UR - https://journals.nul.ls/index.php/tsebo/article/view/7 SP - 44-54 AB - <p><em>In a pluralistic world, in which the issues of homosexuality and gay rights have </em><em>taken the centre stage of discourse in Sub-Saharan Africa, critical analysis is </em><em>required to re-appraise the Roman Catholic perspective of sin and </em><em>homosexuality. Again, the emergence of the study of homosexuality as a </em><em>subfield within African Studies gives further vent to critical reflection to assess </em><em>the merits and demerits of Church pronouncements on the issues. In the </em><em>context of emerging fields of study and various sexual orientations of people </em><em>of different cultures today, the issue of the Roman Catholic understanding of </em><em>sin and her teaching on homosexuality has become problematic to many, </em><em>especially the young ones in various higher institutions of learning. A growing </em><em>number of them think that the recent comments of the Catholic Pontiff are not </em><em>helping matters. The challenges seem to lie in balancing the teachings on </em><em>homosexuality with the belief that God is merciful and loving. The relatively </em><em>charitable disposition of the Pope calls for the re-evaluation of the Church </em><em>stance on sin and homosexuality. Therefore, the paper, using historical and </em><em>analytical methods, examines the basic meaning of sin and puts in context the </em><em>chances of accepting homosexuals without indeed undue focus on their habits </em><em>that may be in need of healing. Drawing on relevant literature and on the </em><em>assertions of some students in my classes, the paper concludes that in a </em><em>pluralistic society the homosexuals may make the human community richer </em><em>when given the same opportunities accorded the majority orientation.</em></p> ER -