Catholic newspaper apologizes for suggestion that gay attraction is the devil's work
Wed. November 2, 2011 10:29 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
Boston -
The Catholic newspaper The Boston Pilot has retracted a column by Daniel Avila which claimed that gays and lesbians are attracted to each other because of the devil.
"Disruptive imbalances in nature that thwart encoded processes point to supernatural actors who, unlike God, do not have the good of persons at heart," he wrote. "Whenever natural causes disturb otherwise typical biological development, leading to the personally unchosen beginnings of same-sex attraction, the ultimate responsibility, on a theological level, is and should be imputed to the evil one, not God."
He continued: "The scientific evidence of how same-sex attraction most likely may be created provides a credible basis for a spiritual explanation that indicts the devil."
The newspaper now claims that the column was "theologically incorrect" -- apparently insofar as it claimed that humans are not made in God's image. The column has now been removed, and in its place, Avila has posted a disclaimer and apology.
"The teaching of Sacred Scripture and of the Catechism of the Catholic Church make it clear that all persons are created in the image and likeness of God and have inviolable dignity," he wrote in the apology. "Likewise, the Church proclaims the sanctity of marriage as the permanent, faithful, fruitful union of one man and one woman. The Church opposes, as I do too, all unjust discrimination and the violence against persons that unjust discrimination inspires. I deeply apologize for the hurt and confusion that this column has caused."
Avila is a longtime contributor to The Boston Pilot and will continue to be, the newspaper told the Boston Globe.
"This one clearly just got away from him," said archdiocese spokesperson Terrence Donilon. "He's passionate about his faith and passionate about his church."
"Disruptive imbalances in nature that thwart encoded processes point to supernatural actors who, unlike God, do not have the good of persons at heart," he wrote. "Whenever natural causes disturb otherwise typical biological development, leading to the personally unchosen beginnings of same-sex attraction, the ultimate responsibility, on a theological level, is and should be imputed to the evil one, not God."
He continued: "The scientific evidence of how same-sex attraction most likely may be created provides a credible basis for a spiritual explanation that indicts the devil."
The newspaper now claims that the column was "theologically incorrect" -- apparently insofar as it claimed that humans are not made in God's image. The column has now been removed, and in its place, Avila has posted a disclaimer and apology.
"The teaching of Sacred Scripture and of the Catechism of the Catholic Church make it clear that all persons are created in the image and likeness of God and have inviolable dignity," he wrote in the apology. "Likewise, the Church proclaims the sanctity of marriage as the permanent, faithful, fruitful union of one man and one woman. The Church opposes, as I do too, all unjust discrimination and the violence against persons that unjust discrimination inspires. I deeply apologize for the hurt and confusion that this column has caused."
Avila is a longtime contributor to The Boston Pilot and will continue to be, the newspaper told the Boston Globe.
"This one clearly just got away from him," said archdiocese spokesperson Terrence Donilon. "He's passionate about his faith and passionate about his church."