Catholic Church

==== Homosexuality ====
{{Main|Homosexuality and the Catholic Church}}
The Catholic Church also teaches that "homosexual acts" are "contrary to the natural law", "acts of grave depravity" and "under no circumstances can they be approved", but that persons experiencing homosexual tendencies must be accorded respect and dignity.<ref name="ccc2357-2359">{{Cite CCC|2.1|2357–2359}}</ref> According to the ''[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]'',

{{blockquote|text=The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided...

Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.<ref name="ccc2357-2359" />}}

This part of the ''Catechism'' was quoted by Pope Francis in a 2013 press interview in which he remarked, when asked about an individual:

{{blockquote|text=I think that when you encounter a person like this [the individual he was asked about], you must make a distinction between the fact of a person being gay from the fact of being a lobby, because lobbies, all are not good. That is bad. If a person is gay and seeks the Lord and has good will, well who am I to judge them?<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/full-transcript-of-popes-in-flight-press-remarks-released/|title=Full transcript of Pope's in-flight press remarks released|publisher=Catholic News Agency|date=5 August 2013|access-date=12 October 2013}}</ref>}}

This remark and others made in the same interview were seen as a change in the tone, but not in the substance of the teaching of the church,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/07/29/popes-remarks-on-gays-a-shift-in-tone-not-substance/ |publisher=CNN |title=Pope on gays: A shift in tone, not substance |date=29 July 2013 |access-date=12 October 2013 |archive-date=5 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205092955/https://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/07/29/popes-remarks-on-gays-a-shift-in-tone-not-substance/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> which includes opposition to [[same-sex marriage]].<ref name="1601_05">{{Cite CCC|2.1|1601–1605}}</ref> Certain [[dissent]]ing Catholic groups [[Dissent from Catholic teaching on homosexuality|oppose the position of the Catholic Church]] and seek to change it.<ref>Sources regarding opposition to the church's position on [[Homosexuality and the Catholic Church|homosexuality]]: {{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/pope-denounces-gay-marriage-annual-xmas-message-article-1.1225960|work=NY Daily News|date=22 December 2012|title=Pope Benedict denounces gay marriage during his annual Christmas message|first=Carol|last=Kuruvilla|location=New York}}, {{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/26/us/around-the-nation-catholic-group-provokes-debate-on-homosexuals.html|work=The New York Times|title=Catholic Group Provokes Debate on Homosexuals|date=26 September 1982|access-date=4 May 2010}}, {{cite web|url=http://www.boulderdailycamera.com/livingarts/religion/25pgay.html|title=Abuse scandal leads to church debate on homosexuality|work=Boulder Daily Camera|date=25 May 2002|author=Rachel Zoll|access-date=5 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040105055504/http://www.boulderdailycamera.com/livingarts/religion/25pgay.html|archive-date=5 January 2004}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/2008/07/08/wyd-site-limits-gay-debate/533|title=WYD site limits gay debate|work=Star Observer|date=8 July 2008|access-date=5 December 2011}}</ref>