Panaji, Sep 4 - The Catholic church in Goa has steadfastly maintained it is against homosexuality. But a prominent Christian spiritual advisor has now said it is not against homosexuals per se.

The church's view on homosexuality has been underlined in a paper titled 'Church and Homosexuality, a basic understanding' presented at a seminar by spiritual advisor of the St Luke's Medical guild (SLMG) Father Daniel Pereira.

'Although homosexual attraction or orientation is not a sin in itself, all people are called to moral responsibility in the way in which they manage sexual desire,' he said.

Pereira, who belongs to the upper echelons of the Roman Catholic church in Goa, acknowledged that the issue of homosexuality and the moral evaluation of homosexual acts had become a matter of public debate even in Catholic circles.

Calling homosexuality a sensitive issue, Pereira said the church was extremely

sensitive to the difficulties, hardships and problems faced by homosexuals.

'Very little is known and much is needed to be revealed concerning the conditions and orientation of homosexuals. From what has been known and experienced, the church as a loving mother wants her children having homosexual inclinations to unload their burdens on to the Lord,' he said.

The SLMG has decried ostracism of people with homosexual tendencies, calling for 'treating them with respect, compassion and sensitivity'.