Q: We are a Catholic family with four children and are trying to do our best to not succumb to secular ideals. We have rather liberal “Catholic” family members who cannot understand why we do our best to do things for the glory of God, especially when the topic is about LGBTQ. So soon, we are staying at my brother’s house in Texas for a vacation. The new Toy Story movie, Lightyear, was brought up, and they invited us to see it when we come to visit. The United Arab Emirates recently banned this movie entirely for the same-sex kissing scene. Disney apparently took out the episode but then reinstated it later. I would like to be able to explain to my extended family why we have to opt out on watching the movie. I need advice on the right words to say, preferably quoting the Bible or the Catechism. Thank you in advance. – M.R.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: It is admirable that you are trying to raise your children to have a Christian outlook on life.

I’m not sure, however, that quoting the Bible or the Catechism to your relatives will help in this instance.

Perhaps it is better to just say gently but firmly that you don’t feel comfortable allowing your children to watch the movie.

If the relatives press you, you could mention the scene above and say that it would send the wrong signal to your children.

If the relatives press you further, you can simply mention that God has a plan for sexuality, and you are trying to live it and teach it to your children.

Try to remain charitable and calm as you explain these things.

If the relatives push back, well, then you might just need to reconsider how comfortable you are vacationing with these relatives.

In the meantime, it might be good to intensify your prayers for these relatives. Ask the Holy Spirit to open their hearts.

In any case, witnessing your faith can be a great act of charity for the relatives.

For your own background, this is what the Catechism says:

Chastity and homosexuality

2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.” They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. They do not choose their homosexual condition; for most of them it is a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

I hope some of this helps.

Keep learning more with Ask a Priest

Got a question? Need an answer?

Today’s secular world throws curve balls at us all the time. AskACatholicPriest is a Q&A feature that anyone can use. Just type your question HERE and you will get a personal response back from one of our priests at RCSpirituality. You can ask about anything – liturgy, prayer, moral questions, current events… Our goal is simply to provide a trustworthy forum for dependable Catholic guidance and information. So go ahead and ask your question…