Sir, - Fr Joseph O'Leary (July 21st) refers to the Catechism of the Catholic Church as saying that the human rights of homosexuals must be defended. (Incidentally, those actual words are not used by the Catechism.)
Of course their human rights must be defended - but this does not mean they may perform homosexual acts. The Catechism makes it very clear that these acts are "intrinsically wrong . . . contrary to the natural law . . . under no circumstances can they be approved" (paragraph 2357).
Their human rights are brought out in paragraph 2358: "They [homosexuals] must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfil God's will in their lives, and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Cross, the difficulties they may encounter from this condition." Paragraph 2359 is also encouraging.
Father O'Leary must agree that the human rights of homosexuals are no more or no less than those of everybody else. - Yours, etc., (Mrs) Ethna M. Cotter,
Cuan Mhuire,
78 Trimbleston Gardens,
Booterstown,
Co Dublin.