I was greatly disappointed by the recent decision of the catholic school board to allow what is called the “Pride” flag on catholic schools in our area. This shows support of the “ideology of gender” that Pope Francis spoke of in his apostolic letter, Amoris Laetitia and that he has frequently warned about. It is contrary to the words of Jesus, who when explaining marriage referred to how the “Creator made them male and female.
Pope Francis in his trip to the country of Georgia speaking about the “theory of gender” said, “Today there is a world war to destroy marriage” and “there is a need to defend ourselves from ideological colonisations.” Catholics should understand that such theories represent a primarily progressive Western constructed view of marriage and sexuality. For example, most Africans, embracing traditional views of marriage. and many others, reject gender ideology as a new form of neo-colonization.
The continuous teaching of the Church, following the perennial philosophy of the ages and Divine revelation about human nature, rejects the socially constructed idea of “gender.” Rather, Catholic teaching recognizes that man is naturally categorized by the male or female “sex.” This Catholic philosophy help us to understand that promoting “gender ideology” is harmful to the long-term psychological and spiritual health and safety of young people. While, we should show respect and love to all young people struggling to know their identity, Catholics should reject the promotion of such “gender ideology” and teach the truth of the human person, created male and female. Fr. Joseph LoJacono, S.T.L. theological license in Marriage and Family.