I believe that any sexual activity outside of marriage, whether it be heterosexual or homosexual, is just as abhorrent in the sight of God. The difference is that somebody who wants to engage in heterosexual activity has a sanctified avenue through which to engage their desire--marriage.
But if a person with homosexual proclivities is celibate is he or she anymore guilty of a sin than a person who lusts after a person who is not their spouse?
Frankly I have less problem with a celibate homosexual being a parish priest (and presumably living alone) than I would have with a homosexual priest living in a monastery where he is living so closely with other men. It's like having an alcoholic working as a bartender.
That thinking ignores the whole crisis which led to this ban: homosexual parish priests sexually abusing boys.
Excluding men who are active homosexuals is a no-brainer.
Excluding men who are suspected of being homosexual, due to mannerisms, or choice of hobbies, or whatever, is a subjective judgment.
In order not to be out of compliance, some of these seminary authorities will jump offside in turning men away who might otherwise make good priests.
Some number of homosexuals have always been a part of the priesthood; Martin Luther complained about them five hundred years ago.
One should anticipate that there will be even fewer men entering seminaries than there has been. This will continue the inevitable march toward lay dominance of parish administration, with priests serving as sacramental circuit riders.
Yeah, but...
The disorder of homosexuality is hardly limited to sexual acts. It includes a psychological outlook which is not compatible with "normal" manhood.
There's a lot more to this than choosing an orifice.
I have a problem with anyone being a priest (Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Orthodox) if they have not recieved Christ as savior AND Lord, and therefore repented of their sins whaever they may be, lust, gay, alcoholism, hatefulness or any other sin named or unamed. And the post above is correct: WE are ALL SINNERS, unless we have repented, and said: Christ save me, now I want to follow you for the rest of my life whether that be giving up everything that I want in life or not :)!!! Many do not want to hear this be we as humans all deserve death and eternal punishment for our sins (Have You Personally EVER broken one of the 10 Commandments???) I have that is why Christ died for You and ME so that if I recieve His forgiveness, and am willing to give him my life as a result then we can be saved from the eternal punishmen in hell that we would otherwise deserve from a JUST(ICE) GOD that can not tollerate any sin; The sin is therefore "wiped away" but Christs sacrifice, and we do not deserve it: MAKE NO MISTAKE YOU AND I DESERVE ETERNAL PUNISHMENT IN EVERLASTING FIRE: CHRIST CAN SAVE US: It's your choice.