October 11 marks the feast day of the third-century martyr, Saint Taracus. An officer in the Roman army under the Emperor Diocletian, Taracus was one of the many Christians who were persecuted by the emperor, being brutally tortured and killed by men and wild animals.
Taracus is formally recognized by the Church as a truly holy and courageous man, a genuine Christian hero. On October 11, however, Aquinas College does not honor the memory of this martyr.
Instead, we celebrate “Coming Out Day.”
Beginning in 1988, October 11 became a day to advocate homosexual rights, sexual freedom and sexual identity. Aquinas College has apparently chosen to endorse, encourage and financially support “Coming Out Day.” The school needs to question what we are advocating because “Coming Out Day” advocates things that are contrary to the mission of Aquinas College.
One issue “Coming Out Day” promotes is the idea that homosexuals have a right to marry. This belief demonstrates a severe misunderstanding of what a right is. Contrary to popular opinion, marriage is not a right. A right is something that an individual inherently deserves. All human beings, including individuals with homosexual inclinations, have the right to be respected because God created them in his image and likeness. Marriage, however, is a gift, a gift given to us at creation for two specific purposes: procreation and intimate union. Marriage is a gift from God with a specific design. Therefore, mankind has no right over it and no authority to redefine it.
“Coming Out Day” also advocates for sexual freedom. The modern “enlightened” culture has a very warped understanding of freedom. It defines freedom as the ability to do whatever one wants — as long as one’s actions do not harm anyone or impinge on anyone else’s freedom. Therefore, as long as sexual activity is consensual, it is perfectly acceptable.
This way of thinking is dangerously misleading for it rejects, or simply ignores, the fact that every aspect of creation is made for a specific purpose, and that freedom is found by fulfilling that purpose. Every human being is made by God to know, love, and serve him. Therefore, freedom is the ability to fulfill that intended design.
The more one submits to the will of God the more ability one has to know, love and serve him; and, therefore, the freer that individual becomes. This is why the “enlightened” idea of sexual freedom is false, because the sexual act also has a specific purpose: intimate union and procreation. To use this act in a manner contrary to its purpose is to sin against its Designer. On the other hand, to use this act in a manner that fulfills its purpose glorifies the Creator and brings freedom. Freedom is not the ability to do what one wants, rather, it is submission to the will of God. This is done by obedience to our purpose and design.
The final aspect of “Coming Out Day” that Aquinas College needs to reject is the idea that persons are identified by their sexual orientation. This is a false belief. There is a critical difference between an individual being defined as a homosexual and an individual having homosexual inclinations. If a human being is a homosexual then that person becomes subject to his sexual orientation. This degrades the human person to the level of an animal who is driven by emotions, instincts, and desires.
On the contrary, human beings are made in the image and likeness of God, endowed with intellect, reason, and will. A man born with alcoholic inclinations is not an alcoholic by nature because he is capable of using his intellect, reason, and will to rise above his disorder. Therefore, men and women with homosexual inclinations are not defined by these impulses, but rather by the fact that they are children of God made in His divine image.
Aquinas College is a Catholic institution dedicated to teaching young adults Truth. Besides blatantly disregarding the teachings of the Church, the ideologies behind “Coming Out Day” also subvert the nature and purpose of the human person. Aquinas College cannot rightfully support these distorted ideologies and remain faithful to the Church and the Truth. So why does the school choose to condone “Coming Out Day?” The reason is probably because the Truth hurts, and preaching the Truth can be offensive to anyone who willfully defies it. Aquinas College wants to appease all ideologies by remaining “inclusive.” However, the Truth is not inclusive. The Truth inherently rejects what is false. Our beloved school should look to the great example of Saint Taracus, a man who was devoted to Truth. Our beloved school should stand up for what we profess and begin living out our mission as a Catholic college
