Gay men can be Catholic priests if celibate-paper

Reuters ^ | October 7, 2005 | Philip Pullella

[KC_for_Freedom]

But it said the Vatican will ban men who "publicly manifest their homosexuality" or show an "overwhelming attraction" to homosexual culture "even if it is only intellectually."

And this is all that stands between these men and the alter boy? The church must still have a few homosexuals in the decision making levels of the church.

[TrebleRebel]

I really don't get this, how can you be celibate and gay? For that matter, how can you be celibate and heterosexual? What if you were only turned on by bestiality but had never actually given into your urges? Would that be OK? What if you really always wanted to kill someone but had resisted or your biggest urge was to set fire to some great public building but you managed to keep your arsonist tendencies to fantasy only? Would you still be allowed to be a priest then?

[AlaskaErik]

The problem with homosexuals is that they are driven by their sexual urges and the need for sexual gratification. Abstinence is not in their vocabulary. That makes them poor candidates for the priesthood or any position where there is contact with children.

[anniegetyourgun]

ping

[twigs]

Why would a man who is honestly trying to overcome this sin WANT to go into the priesthood where he would be faced with out-of-the-ordinary temptations on a daily basis?

[11th_VA]

So can married men be Priests if they are celibate?

[Leg Olam]

"Candidates who show a homosexual tendency will not be allowed into the priesthood unless they can demonstrate that they have been able to remain chaste for at least three years."

Exactly how does one 'demonstrate' such chastity? Kind of takes all the fun out of being a gay priest.

[MAD-AS-HELL]

if you don't think someone can be celibate and heterosexual, then how do you explain all the priests who keep celibate?

It's not difficult to do.

If the church was smart, they'd go back to what they originally allowed, and that's allowing preists to marry and have a family. What better way to promote their religion by allowing priests to show how family orientated they are.

[wideawake]

This whole discussion is ridiculous.

The word "celibate" does not mean "not having sex", it means "not being married."

Check any dictionary, Reuters.

All this talk of "celibate homosexuals" makes no verbal or logical sense.

[sinkspur]

I really don't get this, how can you be celibate and gay? For that matter, how can you be celibate and heterosexual?

Every human being has a sexual orientation. Men called to the priesthood are not eunuchs; in fact, a eunuch cannot be validly ordained. Have you ever met an asexual human being? I haven't.

What if you were only turned on by bestiality but had never actually given into your urges? Would that be OK? What if you really always wanted to kill someone but had resisted or your biggest urge was to set fire to some great public building but you managed to keep your arsonist tendencies to fantasy only? Would you still be allowed to be a priest then?

Yes. The priesthood is made up of men, so it is, by definition, made up of sinners.

[conserv13]

The problem with homosexuals is that they are driven by their sexual urges and the need for sexual gratification. Abstinence is not in their vocabulary

The same can be said about heterosexuals. Also, I don't understand why Catholic priests have to be celibate anyway? Why can't they marry? In almost every other Christian denomination they can marry. Jewish Rabbis (of which Jesus was one) can marry.

[NJ_gent]

"The word "celibate" does not mean "not having sex", it means "not being married.""

That's only one meaning; check Merriam-Webster.

celibacy n. 2 a : abstention from sexual intercourse

[sinkspur]

The problem with homosexuals is that they are driven by their sexual urges and the need for sexual gratification. Abstinence is not in their vocabulary.

The same can be said of heterosexuals.

[conserv13]

If the church was smart, they'd go back to what they originally allowed, and that's allowing preists to marry and have a family

I agree

[sinkspur]

if you don't think someone can be celibate and heterosexual, then how do you explain all the priests who keep celibate?

It's not difficult to do.

If celibacy was not difficult, there would be many more priests.

[Leg Olam]

I agree. Its Eddie Haskell logic.

SHE-'No..I'm not gonna do it! You'll tell everyone.

EDDIE-I promise I won't.

SHE-'Ok'

[dc-zoo]

Gives new meaning to the term "glory hole".

[Clemenza]

Sounds of joy are now emanating from every Jesuit seminary and house. "Its Raining Men" being the new anthem of the Jebbies it seems.

(My apologies to Father Joe and the rest of the decent Jesuits who have to put up with all this crap from their fellow SJers).

[wideawake]

That's only one meaning; check Merriam-Webster.

There is only one historical meaning of the Latin word caelibatus - not having married.

This is the only way the word is used in Catholic theological discourse.

And it is also the only definition of the word in the OED.