Homosexuality. It's a subject whose various dimensions incite
tempests of protest and moral indignation. The debate over gay
marriage. Arguments over gay clergy. The clash over nature versus
nurture. The causes of physical attraction, the expression of
affection, love and sexual desire. The normalization of gay lifestyles
in popular culture. The need for acceptance, affirmation, intimacy,
community, family. The strength of Catholic doctrine. The compassion
of Catholic teaching. Volatile issues all.
Issues, in fact, that caused disagreement among the magazine
staff even as we planned this edition. Yet while we may not have
found agreement on the points debated, we did reach a consensus
on what to include in this selection of stories -- although few
will approve of all that is presented here.
While this package may not offer the definitive answer on the
subject, it does provide some serious challenges for all of us,
some provocative accounts from people brave enough to speak their
minds. We believe it is the kind of treatment readers would expect
from a faith-filled and intellectually vigorous Catholic university.
Despite the volatility of the subject, we thought it important
to lend Notre Dame voices to the debates and discussions taking
place throughout society.
Links to the stories are below.
-- The Editors
