So long as the Catholic Church allows homosexuals within its ranks, it will continue to bend to the demands of homosexuals and suffer the consequences. Religious acceptances of homosexual relationships cannot be demanded but they will reach a detente because too many immoral people have shown up on the courts to legitimize homosexual “marriage” and that 1-2% of the population has been given a platform in the media to demand rights to their perversion while the public is caught in between—hard to say no when the church itself is filled with homosexuals. Heck, even when found abusing children, homosexual priests are protected, what’s a little homosexual marriage in comparison?
Reminds me of a line attributed to Groucho Marx. "I would never join a club that would have me as a member."
Two observations:
1. The Church is not a club for the righteous. It is a hopsital for sinners.
2. Homosexuality is not the only sickness that needs healing.
Some “homosexual offenders” became Christians in Paul’s time, but their homosexual offenses (sins) were described in the past tense. I very much doubt they went around proclaiming they were homosexuals. Nevertheless, the fact that they were forgiven didn’t mean they needed to be elevated into leadership positions.
The standards for Christian leaders should be exceptionally stringent as Paul advised. Why should the church be led by anyone but the best of the best, i.e. the most knowledgeable, self sacrificing, morally upright people with long track records as such?
The Catholic Church was the perfect place for a homosexual to join.
- no questions asked of a young man as to why he isn’t married or have a girlfriend
- receive a great amount of respect from the community
- have access to young people
- have authority and position, both of which would bring about protection for a certain amount of time
Not allowing priests to marry has set this up. If I wanted to remain in the closet, but have access to children, and do so with admiration and respect and no questions asked, this is the perfect answer.
That's a mere assertion, and one which seems to me to be based on a false stereotype. I have seen no proof that the Catholic Church has more homosexuals, or more sexual abusers, than any other denomination, and considerable evidence that it has less.
Your larger point might be that any denomination which fail to uphold the historic Christian sexual ethic, is heading for major moral collapse, even to the point of accepting sodomitic "marriage." I would agree that giving in, even a little, to the corrupt "accept anything" culture around us, paves the way for moral collapse.
This is going to be an ongoing struggle, not only between the Church and the World, but within every denomination and faith community.