….In a recent article for America, Cardinal Robert McElroy wrote, “It is a demonic mystery of the human soul why so many men and women have a profound and visceral animus toward members of the LGBT communities.”

What McElroy either doesn’t understand or ignores is that any animus is directed not at gender-confused individuals, but at the destructive ideological movement that has captured their minds and, in many cases, damaged their bodies. As a Cardinal, he is obliged to uphold Church teaching on sexuality. Yet, he is saying, in effect, that young people should feel free to reject those teachings should their conscience or experience tell them otherwise.

Since McElroy suggests that those who disagree with him harbor some “demonic mystery” in their souls, what are we to think of a prelate who disagrees with God’s plan for human sexuality?

After all, as Saint Paul says in his epistle to the Romans, God’s plan can be clearly perceived in the things that have been made (Rom 1:19-20). Tellingly, the first creature to express displeasure with the plan was a demon. In the Garden of Eden, the serpent suggests to Adam and Eve that they should follow their own inclinations rather than God’s plan.

After accusing God of lying, the serpent then proceeds to tell a colossal lie: “when you eat of it [the fruit] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God” (Gen. 3:5). In short, you will no longer be only a creature, you will be a creator.

How can Adam and Eve have fallen for that? That is certainly a mystery (cf CCC, 309ff), but it is a perennial temptation. Gender-confused people are being told, in effect, that God has made a mistake—that He has put their soul into the wrong body, and that they have the right to recreate themselves according to their own desires.

As for guidance, they can rely on their conscience. In McElroy’s scheme of things, “It is conscience that has the privileged place “over Catholic teaching.

But, as a result of original sin, conscience doesn’t always work as it was meant to. It can be darkened and weak. A conscience has to be formed by parents, grandparents, teachers, clergy, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit.

What McElroy seems to have in mind is not the Christian notion of a well-formed conscience, but the humanist notion that conscience is some sort of natural inner compass that works better without the interference of Church or society.

This view of conscience can be seen more clearly when we look at the work of Fr. Martin, perhaps the most prominent pro-LGBT Catholic on the planet. In Martin’s view, “conscience” is really just another word for “feelings.” If a certain behavior makes you feel good about yourself, then it is good for you. For Martin, the important thing is not to do good but to feel good.

For example, although the Church teaches that a “same-sex marriage” is sinful, Martin once told a homosexual person who was about to be “married,” “your love is beautiful.” A common theme in Martin’s writings is that God loves us as we are. That’s true in a sense. As St. Paul states, “while we were still sinners Christ died for us “(Rom 5:8). But, as Scripture and Church teachings make clear, God does not love our sins. Rather, He wants us to change our sinful ways. God wants us to transition, but not from male to female or vice versa, but from a state of sin to a state of grace.

By contrast, Fr. Martin’s approach is reminiscent of an old radio advertisement for the Unitarian Church: “Come as you are; we don’t want to change you.” His message to the LGBT community is that they are “beautiful”, “wonderful” and “special.” One gets the impression that God is not only pleased with LGBT persons, but also pleased with their behavior — so pleased that he gives them an exemption from the rules.

A few years ago, in a video posted on YouTube, Fr. Martin claimed that chastity is not required of people of the LGBT persuasion. Why not? Because, said Martin, “For a teaching to be really authoritative, it is expected that it will be received by the people of God.” However, he continues, “the teaching that LGBT people must be celibate their entire lives has not been received….”

McElroy thinks that those who reject the transgender agenda are the victims of some kind of “demonic” influence. But the opposite seems more likely. The transgender agenda seems much more in line with Satan’s agenda than with God’s. In Genesis, Satan’s temptation of Adam and Eve comes immediately after a statement of God’s intention for men and women: “Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24)….

From Catholic World Report