Ultimately, the Church teaches love as Jesus taught us: loving God and loving each other. Sometimes it can be difficult to discern how best to love someone, so the Church has provided guidelines on specific topics that are "hot button issues" in our society today.
Aside from the Commandments and Jesus' teaching in the Bible, the Catholic Church also follows Tradition, the revelation of God continuing today and how God's teachings are relevant based on our ever-changing world. We base these teachings on a set of principles known as Catholic social teaching, which dictate how we can love God and love each other in the context of our modern world.
A few important notes here:
First, this section does discuss some mature topics, and parental discretion is advised.
Second, you may be coming to this section thinking that the Catholic Church is hypocritical because of the actions of some of its leaders, particularly the abuse scandal or financially. We want to be clear: the actions of those going against these teachings is profoundly wrong, and we are deeply hurt by them along with you. We pray for victims and have made a dedication to keeping all in our churches safe. The actions by these people do not represent the Church's teachings, however. They are in direct contradiction to it, and we renounce them as evil.
Finally, this is not an exhaustive list of Church teaching, nor does every topic get into minute detail. We highly encourage you to do further research using reliable sources like the Catechism of the Catholic Church and church documents like papal encyclicals and church councils.
What does the Church teach about...
The fundamental Catholic teaching is the right to life for all people, including those who have not yet been born. We believe that all people are children of God and therefore worthy of dignity, respect, and life, no matter the potential adversities they may face. We follow the scientific teaching that life begins at the moment of conception and work strongly to uphold that dignity and provide resources to those faced with challenges to life.
There are some nuances regarding when a mother's life is in danger or when a baby dies in utero, but these are not medically considered abortion in the same way, as the death of the baby is not the purpose of the acts taken.
We recognize that this is a difficult subject and often easier to say than to live out, especially those facing crisis pregnancies. But this teaching applies to you too - we see your life as dignified and worthy of living. If you or someone you know is in need of help, please reach out. We want to walk with you on this journey and support your baby and you.
Resources for crisis pregnancies
Resources for healing from abortion
Related to abortion, the Church teaches that all people have dignity as children of God and that no one but God should decide when a person's life is concluded (similar to the commandment to not kill). We work to protect life from the beginning to the end, which is why the Church opposes euthanasia and the death penalty. This philosophy also applies to those who take their own lives - though we do not condone the action, we of course recognize the mental distress that someone must be in to be in that position, which often removes culpability for the action.
As before, there are nuances to this - for example, if a person is unable to recover, you can cease the extraordinary measures being put in place to extend their life. We also recognize that death may be a result of self-defense or war, which we endeavor to avoid whenever possible but recognize is not always possible.
In reality, we understand that illness and death often involve suffering, both for the individual and the family. If you are suffering, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Our Care Ministry may be able to assist with practical needs, and our clergy are trained to walk with you through this suffering.
Let us be clear first and foremost: the Church does not condone discrimination against anyone. Our foundation of love and dignity for all prevails here, and we operate from the place that our ultimate identity is not our gender, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic, but our dignity as children of God.
In the discussion of same sex attraction, the Church distinguishes between being attracted to the same sex and engaging in sexual acts with the same sex. Attraction in and of itself is not sinful, but any sexual acts outside of marriage are considered against Church teaching.
Additionally, the Church bases its teachings on gender on that same identity in Christ, that we are made in the image and likeness of God, and as such, that one is born either male or female, regardless of which or neither gender the person feels most aligned with.
It can seem like the Church is out of touch with this teaching by denying someone this kind of love or identity. However, we certainly understand this is an incredible cross to bear and is not easy. However, the Church actually sees this as the epitome of love: loving someone enough to share the truth. And as always, we never expect you to walk this journey alone. If you or a loved one are struggling with same sex attraction, there are resources to help you work through this teaching:
Courage - For those experiencing same sex attraction
Encourage - For those with a loved one experiencing same sex attraction
Speak to a Priest
Living together before marriage has become such a cultural norm that the Church's stance on sexuality can seem extremely countercultural. However, the Church recognizes the beauty of the sexual act as part of the Sacrament of Marriage. It is an unbreakable binding of two people, the fulfillment of the marriage covenant and the way in which it is lived out and expressed. Because the act brings pleasure, it can easily be used selfishly and not a true expression of love and gift of self.
Related to this is the use of pornography, which not only has implications on the teachings surrounding sexuality, but also involves the use of another person, which is never okay.
If you are engaging in sexual activity of any kind outside of marriage (alone, same sex, adultery, hookup culture, etc.), please know that you are loved and that God's mercy is abundant for you. We invite you to receive this mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and begin again to live out this challenging, but fruitful teaching.
Receive the Sacrament of Confession
According to the Church, the purpose of sexual relations is twofold: the union of the husband and wife and the procreation of children. Contraception blocks one of these two ultimate purposes, and therefore goes against God's design for sexuality. This view is upheld by the Bible, nature, and the Tradition of the Church passed down since Jesus' time.
The Church recognizes, however, that having large numbers of children is not always prudent, financially, mentally, spiritually, etc. Therefore, Natural Family Planning (NFP) and fertility awareness are acceptable ways to partner with God in planning of children, based on abstience during times of fertility. The use of Natural Family Planning also speaks to the dignity of the human person by illustrating God's incredible design for fertility, which is not often taught in traditional models.
Archdiocese of NY NFP Resources
Please note: If you are experiencing infertility, that does not mean that God has forgotten you or that your sexual relationship with your spouse is invalid. There are many instances of holy men and women in the Bible who experience the pain of infertility.
The Catholic Church views marriage as a holy vocation, one that involves dying to self in service of one's spouse and family. It is truly a sacrificial becoming of one flesh that's not always easy, but the graces of the sacrament make it possible. Marriage in the Catholic Church is between one man and one woman pledging to love and serve one another in fidelity until death.
Though the Church sees marriage as indisoluble - once married, you will always be married in the eyes of the Church - we recognize that there are situations which makes continuing to live together difficult. Divorce is a legal and social entity, not sacramental, so while the Church of course hopes that you will "live happily ever after," divorce or separation do not excommunicate you from the Church, provided you do not enter into another relationship or marriage.
That being said, the Church will never require you to stay in an abusive situation. If you find yourself in an abusive situation, please leave and seek help. Additionally, there are circumstances that may render a marriage invalid, in that it is recognized as having never validly taken place in the Church. These are grave things that were not known at the time of marriage. In that case, a process called annulment can be pursued to dissolve the marriage. Once this was complete, you would be free to remarry in the Church. If you would like more information about the annulment process, please contact one of our priests.
If your marriage is struggling, we highly recommend looking into Retrovaille, a movement specifically for Catholic couples facing divorce.
Retrouvaille Retreats
Jesus Himself had a special heart for the poor, and He clearly calls on the Church to serve those in need in the same manner. This includes anyone marginalized, disadvantaged, abused, or struggling, regardless of religion, nationality, race, or the circumstances that led to where they are. This belief is founded on the fact that when we serve each other, we recognize Christ in the other person and love Him better by loving others as He did.
The Church is at the center of some of the largest charitable organizations in the world, and we at St. Columba are proud to serve our brothers and sisters in need with their inherent dignity as children of God.
If you are struggling and in need of help, please do not hesitate to reach out for help.
I Need Food
I Need Financial Assistance
When God created humanity, He instructed us to care for the world He'd created for us. As such, the Church teaches that each of us have a responsibility to use resources wisely, to treat nature with respect as God's creation, and to work to find ways to minimize our unnessary and negative impacts on it. As with persons, we should never use nature or the environment irresponsibly or recklessly, and we should ensure that its resources are shared equally and available to all.
Pope Francis' Laudato Si