ment and later social environment as affecting the homosexual.

He then traces the historical sources of religious and social disapproval of homosexual practices, beginning with the Sodom story, and taking exception to the views of Rev. D. Sherwin Bailey (Homosexuality and the Western Christian Tradition, London, 1955) concerning the implications of the Biblical account, he continues down through other Bible references, numerous Patristic sources and early Christian canon canon to the mediaeval Penitentials, the writings of Aquinas and others.

From this background of modern science and traditional theology he then examines "The Mental and Moral Outlook of the Homosexual," his moral responsibility, "The Priest and the Homosexual," and expounds his views concerning the treatment and future of the homosexual.

It is regrettable that so carefully written, clear and scholarly a work should be marred by numerous unscholarly lapses, as for instance, in his almost frivolous attribution of a non-scientific character to Kinsey's work simply because the books were well-publicized and because no heed was taken of certain unspecified "flaws" which, in Fr. Buckley's opinion, make Kinsey's work "of little use to a scientific study of the homosexual problem." Oddly enough, however, in later passages one discovers the author still appealing to Kinsey for support of certain positions in line with points he wishes to make.

One familiar with the source materials quoted cannot fail to be struck by the care with which the author treads his way through highly respected scientific works, selecting for his purposes only such passages as serve his own ends, a literary exercize hardly unfamiliar to readers of expository works, but nevertheless one of doubtful merit.

one

At no time throughout the book does the author deviate from the premises "that homosexual acts are intrinsically sinful," and that there is no evidence "that the natural and divinely ordained human condition is other than uniquely heterosexual." Fr. Buckley unequivocally states as the Roman Catholic position that "to remain homosexual . . . is contrary to God's plan for mankind," and that "The aim of all pastoral care of the homosexual should be ultimately his re-orientation to heterosexuality and where this is impossible an adjustment to his condition is the only way acceptable to Catholic moral theology -a life of chastity."

These quotations should suffice to illustrate the orientation and tone of the book. To those conditioned to accepting Biblical and ecclesiastical authority unquestioningly it will seem an encouraging work, studded with charitable sentiments concerning the plight of the homosexual, and offering hope of escape for the penitent sinner via the courses outlined above. Viewed in this light it represents some advance in method and techniques over the old-time "fires of hell" approach, while swerving not a jot from the ideology which underlay it.

To those who find repugnant all such sentiments as Fr. Buckley's phrase "the supernatural destiny of the penitent" and his reliance on revealed truth as opposed to rational free thought, the book will seem entirely unacceptable. Such persons may even feel that this work merely perpetuates and skillfully extends the irreconcilable conflict between scientific moral inquiries and authoritarian religion. Perhaps it is in this area of conflict that the most lasting value of the book will be found.

W. D. L.