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To: hardworking
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.
126 posted on 09/19/2005 8:23:11 PM PDT by Conservative til I die
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To: Conservative til I die

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

Hm-m-m-m, some similarity to the issue of divorce. Since I have been divorced in the past, and remarried, I cannot be a Catholic who receives the sacraments, but that doesn't preclude me from being a good Catholic. Grew up in the Catholic church....but have found a nice 'home' in a traditional Protestant church that opens its arms to us sinners. Maybe in my next lifetime I'll be perfect enough to be a Catholic... Don't be offended - it's just the way those of us who have been faced with the reality of the Church's stance(s) have moved on in life.


167 posted on 09/20/2005 2:46:52 PM PDT by hardworking
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