Page "Christianity and homosexuality" Paragraph 20

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states " men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies ... must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.

" Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.

" They oppose criminal penalties against homosexuality.

The Catholic Church requires those who are attracted to people of the same ( or opposite ) sex to practice chastity, because it teaches that sexuality should only be practiced within marriage, which includes chaste sex as permanent, procreative, heterosexual, and monogamous.

The Vatican distinguishes between " deep-seated homosexual tendencies " and the " expression of a transitory problem ", in relation to ordination to the priesthood ; saying in a 2005 document that homosexual tendencies " must be clearly overcome at least three years before ordination to the diaconate.

" A 2011 report based on telephone surveys of American Catholics conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute found that 56 % believe that sexual relations between two people of the same sex are not sinful.