Posted on 03/03/2011 8:38:10 AM PST by marshmallow
In an interview with a local newspaper, Bishop Matthew Clark of Rochester appeared to take issue with a 2005 Vatican document that reaffirmed that men with “deep-seated homosexual tendencies” should not be ordained.
“I know some magnificent gay priests,” said Bishop Clark, who has led the upstate New York diocese since 1979. “If they are openly gay in terms of living a lifestyle that is incompatible with their basic commitments, we have to intervene. But I have always tried to be open to such candidates.”
In 2005, the Congregation for Catholic Education stated that the Church “cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called ‘gay culture.’”
Bishop Clark added:
There was, as you know, a lot of attention given to that by the Holy See over the years, and one of their statements left the impression that under no circumstances could a person of gay orientation be ordained a priest. And that's not so.
If a person's sense of himself as a gay individual inevitably leads him to campaign against the Church's formal teachings or live a lifestyle that is upsetting to the community or scandalous, such a person would not be an apt candidate for the priesthood. But if a person understands that and lives a lifestyle that is compatible with what we ask of all of our priests, then I'm happy to receive them.
Bishop Clark’s comments echo those he made in late 2005, when he criticized the Congregation for Catholic Education’s document.
“The fundamental concern of formation for a life of celibate chastity is for sexual maturity, not sexual orientation,” he said at the time. “Good seminary formation needs to provide an environment in which both heterosexual and homosexual candidates can grow to commit themselves wholeheartedly, even joyfully, to chaste and faithful celibacy.”
A recent Catholic World Report article found that in 2008, the Diocese of Rochester ranked 175th out of the 176 Latin Rite US dioceses in its ratio of seminarians to Catholics.
Bishop Matthew Clark and a changing church (Rochester City Newspaper)
On Priesthood and Those With Homosexual Tendencies (Congregation for Catholic Education, 2005)
The Barren Fig Tree (Catholic World Report)
Future scandals are in the making. When will people get a clue that homosexuals are dangerous?
We all have sinful natures, so I understand his logic - but any priest who still claims to be homosexual, but not “practicing” should immediately be suspect.
I mean - would they accept as a priest someone who said “I am a confirmed adulterer, but I just won’t practice it” or “I’d like to kill someone, but I’m controlling myself?”
Seems odd.
I can’t stand Bishop Clark and don’t attend Mass for the most part due to him, I live across the street from my Church. Last weekend I attended Mass on behalf of my Niece who’s daughter was being Christened and was floored when the Mass was interrupted in order to espouse “Social Justice” and to make pleas for volunteering and donations. I wish I had not already offered a tithing at that point.
Anyone else surprised that he didn't refer to them as fabulous gay priests?
I don’t see how they could pass the two day psyche exam that is required for all seminarians entering the priesthood.
A recent Catholic World Report article found that in 2008, the Diocese of Rochester ranked 175th out of the 176 Latin Rite US dioceses in its ratio of seminarians to Catholics.
The above 2 paragraphs from the article says it all about Clark's "shepherding" of the DOR!
Only 499 days until Clark retires!
I guess I’ve just always assumed that the real reason they cling to a celibate priesthood was so that the prominent families of Europe had somewhere to send their gays with a plausibly deniable cover.
“Only 499 days until Clark retires!”
I feel badly for you folks. Keep fast to the faith!
**Only 499 days until Clark retires!**
Countdown time!
Let’s hope you get a wonderful Bishop that can mend the mistakes and really care for his flock.
The sex scandals overwhelmingly involved homosexual men and adolescent boys; only a few were cases involving sexual assault on pre-pubescent children of either sex.
Homosexual men are very interested in sex with adolescent boys. Consider their ideal body, as exemplified in the figures of high-fashion models. Observe their unremitting efforts to lower the age of consent for sexual activity.
Any organization that does not want to face constant trauma must exclude homosexual men (or homosexual women, for that matter) from close contact with adolescents of the relevant sex.
Celibate gay is an oxymoron. Contrary to popular belief, “gay” is a sex act, not a “lifestyle”.
Homosexuality is just partner-assisted masturbation.
Yeah, this worked out so well last time.
Mass for gay and lesbian Catholics, families and friends
Bishop Matthew Clark’s Homily
http://www.usao.edu/~facshaferi/CLARK.HTML
Our Concerns Regarding Bishop Clark
http://www.thereoughttobealaw.net/
It is generally said that the characteristics that make one a good priest are exactly the same as would make that same man a good husband and father. That being said, one of the best priests I know is a chaste homosexual. In a moment of candor he once told me "does it really matter who I am not doing it with"? He is a deeply religious man with incredible strength, compassion, and courage.
I’ve met three priests who set off my gaydar. One was young and awkward but I thought he would mature well. The other two were older men, much more polished and experienced, but very self-conscious and concerned with their prerogatives, and Mass was always a performance for them.
One still runs the parish in my town,and there is something creepy and anti-God there.
...as long as they have the common courtesy to offer...well, I think the Lee Ermey fans here know exactly where I’m going with that.
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