Church Teaching on Prejudice, Discrimination, and Civil Rights

Prejudice and Discrimination

The Church teaches that prejudice and discrimination against lesbian/gay people is sinful and should be avoided.  People have a responsibility to examine their attitudes and behaviors about lesbian/gay people and adjust them so as to be free of hate.  The Church deplores acts of violence against lesbian/gay people and encourages Church leaders to condemn it.

The following are quotes from magisterial documents.

Prejudice Against Homosexuals and the Ministry of the Church, Washington State Catholic Conference, 1983.

“…prejudice against homosexuals is a greater infringement of the norm of Christian morality than is homosexual…activity.”


Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 1986.

“It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech and action.  Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church’s pastors wherever it occurs.”


Human Sexuality: A Catholic Perspective for Education and Lifelong Learning, National Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1991.

“Homosexuals…should not suffer prejudice against their basic rights…We call on all Christians and citizens of good will to confront their own fears about homosexuality and to curb the humor and discrimination that offend homosexual persons. We understand that having a homosexual orientation brings with it enough anxiety, pain and issues related to self-acceptance without society bringing additional prejudicial treatment.”


Always Our Children, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Committee on Marriage and Family, 1997.

“Nothing in the Bible or in Catholic teaching can be used to justify prejudicial or discriminatory attitudes and behaviors.”


Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral Care, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2006.

“Church policies should explicitly reject unjust discrimination and harassment of any persons, including those with a homosexual inclination.  Procedures should be in place to handle complaints.”

Civil Rights

The Church teaches that each person’s intrinsic dignity must be protected by law.  This admonition applies to lesbian/gay people, too.  The Church specifically states that they have a right to justice, to belong to and participate equally in the civil community, and to be respected. Catholic leaders have often supported civil rights legislation that assures equality in housing, employment, and public accommodation.

The following are quotes from magisterial documents.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1994, #2358.

“They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.”


Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 1986.

“The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in word, action and in law.”


To Live in Christ Jesus, National Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1976; Human Sexuality: A Catholic Perspective for Education and Lifelong Learning, National Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1991.

“Homosexuals…should not suffer prejudice against their basic human rights.  They have a right to respect, friendship and justice.  They should have an active role in the Christian community.”