Pastoral counseling of people of homosexual orientation

The title of my dissertation work is called ,,Pastoral counseling of homosexual people”.

Homosexuality is romantic attraction, sexual attraction or sexual behavior between members of
the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality is "an enduring pattern of
emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions" to people of the same sex. It "also refers to a
person's sense of identity based on those attractions, related behaviors, and membership in a
community of others who share those attractions."
In the first chapter i discussed about the history of homosexuality. Societal attitudes
towards same-sex relationships have varied over time and place, from expecting all males to
engage in same-sex relationships, to casual integration, through acceptance, to seeing the
practice as a minor sin, repressing it through law enforcement and judicial mechanisms, and to
proscribing it under penalty of death.
In the second chapter i discussed about the perspective of science and psychology of
homosexuality. Scientists do not know exactly what determines an individual's sexual
orientation, but they believe that it is caused by a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, and
environmental influences,and do not view it as a choice.They favor biologically-based
theories,which point to genetic factors, the early uterine environment, both, or the inclusion of
genetic and social factors. There is no substantive evidence which suggests parenting or early
childhood experiences play a role when it comes to sexual orientation. While some people
believe that homosexual activity is unnatural, scientific research has shown that homosexuality
is a normal and natural variation in human sexuality and is not in and of itself a source of
negative psychological effects.There is insufficient evidence to support the use of psychological
interventions to change sexual orientation.
In the third chapter i discussed the importance of pastoral counseling of homosexuals.
We have identified what is the counseling process, which must be the counselor and priest's
qualities, and we have identified some counseling methods. We discussed the importance of
accepting, dialogue, understanding, and listening to people who are facing this difficulty.

In conclusion, homosexuals can be helped by the therapist or priest in a variety of ways

in the counseling process: inspiring realistic hope, showing love and accepting homosexuals,
encouraging and changing behavior and enhancing self-confidence. Homosexuality can be
approached from the point of view of psychoanalytic psychology but also cognitive-behavioral
psychology.