Replies

That's my point. We're not talking about men who'll be practicing homosexuality, but men who'll be practicing celibacy. Celibacy, last time I checked was not a sin. If the priest is celibate, he's not committing the sin of homosexuality.

Yes, I agree. I must admit that as I thought about it I had some other puzzlements as well. For example, if 'homosexuality' is a sin, then homosexuals are 'sinners'. But who isn't a sinner? If just 'being' a homosexual is a sin then does that preclude them from being a Catholic as well as a priest? If a sinner cannot be a priest or a Catholic, then who can be either? It makes me also think about a question that has puzzled me for a long time. Namely, if marriage/intercourse between a man and a woman is for the sole purpose of procreating children and a couple is unable to conceive, and deemed unable to conceive, then are they committing a sin when they have sex? Are all post-menopausal women who have sex committing a sin when they do? Interesting dilema, this sin and exclusion for it thing.

If just 'being' a homosexual is a sin then does that preclude them from being a Catholic as well as a priest? ...

See my # 102

That's my point. We're not talking about men who'll be practicing homosexuality, but men who'll be practicing celibacy. Celibacy, last time I checked was not a sin. If the priest is celibate, he's not committing the sin of homosexuality.

Yes, I agree. I must admit that as I thought about it I had some other puzzlements as well. For example, if 'homosexuality' is a sin, then homosexuals are 'sinners'.

Homosexual inclinations themselves are not sinful. Homosexual actions however, are.

But who isn't a sinner? If just 'being' a homosexual is a sin then does that preclude them from being a Catholic as well as a priest?

You're looking at this from a legalistic standpoint, as if we're discussing American labor law. Two very important points: First, no one has the right to be ordained a priest. The Catholic Church has reaffirmed (and hopefully will enforce) that homosexuals are unfit for the priesthood because of their disorder. It is not "discrimination" against homos for the sake of discrimination. It's that placing homosexuals in a situation where they are surrounded by men all day is a bad idea. It's also a result of experience. Homosexuals in the priesthood have caused a lot of damage. To be safe, it is better for them to be removed.

Second, there is a big difference between being a priest and just being a Catholic. Not all can be priests, but that doesn't preclude them from being good Catholics.

Namely, if marriage/intercourse between a man and a woman is for the sole purpose of procreating children and a couple is unable to conceive, and deemed unable to conceive, then are they committing a sin when they have sex?

No. It's a larger topic than I have time or inclination to discuss tonight, but you should check up on Catholic teaching about sexuality. It's more complex than you think. No need to reinvent the wheel here, as this is teaching that's been settled for awhile.

The Catholic Church teaches that it is NOT a sin to "be homosexual."

Further, the Church does NOT teach that intercourse without conception is sinful.

Whoever the hell told you that crap has been reading Jack Chick tracts, which are about as reliable as Dan Rather.