Posted on 11/29/2005 6:01:40 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
Vatican restricts gays in Catholic priesthood
By Philip Pullella
1 hour, 29 minutes ago
In the first major ruling of Pope Benedict's reign, the Vatican on Tuesday imposed restrictions on homosexuals entering the Catholic priesthood, saying men must first overcome any "transitory" gay tendencies.
The ruling came in a long-awaited eight-page document that has already sparked controversy after widespread leaks in the past few weeks.
Its strict line on the place of gays in the clergy has won praise from conservatives and condemnation from liberals, and set off heated debate beyond the Catholic Church by confronting an issue that has divided Christian congregations worldwide.
The document says practising homosexuals should be barred from entering the priesthood along with men with "deep-seated" homosexual tendencies and those who support gay culture.
The "instruction" by the Vatican's Congregation for Catholic Education makes a distinction between deep-seated homosexual tendencies and "the expression of a transitory problem."
It says homosexual tendencies must be clearly overcome at least three years before admission to the deaconate, a position one step short of the priesthood which usually precedes ordination by about a year.
The document, released some seven months after Pope Benedict was elected, reinforces standing policy that many in the Church believe has not been properly enforced.
Its urgency has been highlighted by a sexual scandal in the United States three years ago, involving mostly abuse of teenage boys by priests. However, gay groups accuse the Church of using homosexuals as scapegoats for the abuse scandals.
It does not affect men who are already priests but only those entering seminaries to prepare for the priesthood, and calls on the faithful to show respect for homosexuals.
"OBJECTIVELY DISORDERED"
"Deep-seated homosexual tendencies, which are found in a number of men and women, are also objectively disordered and, for those same people, often constitute a trial," it says, repeating a phrase that has angered gays in the past.
"Such persons must be accepted with respect and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. They are called to fulfil God's will in their lives and to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter," it says.
Conservative Catholics have welcomed the document as an important step in the reform of the priesthood, particularly in the United States, where they say some seminaries had become venues for a thriving gay subculture.
Gay groups around the world were furious. The U.S-based Human Rights campaign called on Catholics of all sexual orientations to complain to their local pastors.
"We're speaking to Catholics in the pews and urging them to consider what Jesus would do if he saw his neighbor treated this way," the group said in a statement.
Many inside the Church have also said the document risks alienating men who would be good priests and would be able to honor their vow of celibacy.
"Having worked with bishops and priests, diocesan and religious, all over the world, I have no doubt that God does call homosexuals to the priesthood, and they are among the most dedicated and impressive priests I have met," said Father Timothy Radcliffe, former master of the Dominican order.
The document says heads of seminaries have a duty to ensure that candidates for the priesthood do not "present disturbances of a sexual nature which are incompatible with the priesthood."
It also says men who wanted to become priests would be "gravely dishonest" if they hid their homosexuality.
The full title of the document is: "Instruction concerning the criteria for the discernment of vocations with regard to persons with homosexual tendencies in view of their admission to the seminary and to holy orders."
I like Reuters take on this. I'm glad it's being honestly presented. I'm afraid the Richard McBriens and Cardinal Mahoneys of the world will emphasize what they feel is the loophole aspect of the document.
Aren't they always?
FYI ping
This "organization" has got to be stupid to think that a practical, practicing Catholic is going to complain that the supply of homosexuals aspiring to be priests will dry up!
The scandals brought about by lax admission standards and the mass being relegated to something unrecognizable by many have driven hundreds of thousands from the mainstream Catholic churches and into the chapels of the Society of St. Pius X and sedevacantist churches.
Just a matter of time before Canada bans Catholicism.
Flaming mad...
They were so furious, they could have scratched the pope's eyes out.
About effing time BUMP!
Not good enough.
The truth is, practicing Catholics of various sexual orientations who feel comfortable complaining to their pastor, have probably already got a pastor who's a flaming homosexual. The only parishes those folks really feel at home at are parishes that bill themselves as inclusive, welcoming, and diverse. Blah blah blah whatever - it all adds up to a priest with pink underwear and a rainbow sticker on the back of his Camry.
"Pope Benedict has made his decision, now let him enforce it."
You may be old and tired, but you've got it right!
Big mistake.
You suggest taking priests, who will always remain priests, who have done nothing wrong, and stripping them of their priestly faculties?
I don't think you understand what it means to be a priest and how serious a matter it is to laicize one.
This is a very good thing.
"It does not affect men who are already priests but only those entering seminaries to prepare for the priesthood, and calls on the faithful to show respect for homosexuals."
So it does nothing to deal with your current problems.
And how does one show respect for behaviour that is "intrinsically disordered"????
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Corinthians 6:8-10
Yes and no. The tidal wave of molestations occured during the 70's and the 80's, so it APPEARS (at first glance) that the trend has been in reversal. However, although this document will certainly stigmatize and perhaps draw into the light gay priests that overreact or openly defy the document, I don't think it will exactly send a shiver down the spine of the lavendar mafia.
It still starts and ends with the bishops.
Homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered. A celibate homosexual who never engages in the activity is doing nothing intrinsically disordered.
There are many homosexual men in the priesthood today, serving the Church well.
Those who are active sexually, whether homosexual or heterosexual, don't belong in the priesthood and are asked to reconsider their vocation.
Next up, the basic right to be a child molester, rapist or murderer and retain priesthood.
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