[NYer]

Several Vatican documents and letters over the years have said gays or men with homosexual tendencies should not be ordained, regardless of whether they can remain celibate.

A Feb. 2, 1961, Vatican document, “Instruction on the Careful Selection and Training of Candidates for the States of Perfection and Sacred Orders,” made clear homosexuals should be barred from the priesthood.

“(Advancement) to religious vows and ordination should be barred to those who are afflicted with evil tendencies to homosexuality or pederasty, since for them the common life and the priestly ministry would constitute serious dangers,” said the document from the then-Vatican’s congregation for religious.

A 1997 letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments says “admission may not take place if there exists a prudent doubt regarding the candidate’s suitability.” It does not specify that homosexuality constitutes a “prudent doubt,” but an American official at the Vatican, the Rev. Andrew Baker, has suggested in an article in the Jesuit magazine America that it does.

In 2002, Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez, then-prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, advised against allowing gays in the priesthood in a letter that was published in the congregation’s publication Notitiae.

The Vatican press office announced in November 2002, at the height of the U.S. clergy sex abuse scandal, that the Congregation for Catholic Education was drawing up guidelines for accepting candidates for the priesthood that would address the question of whether gays should be barred.

Catholic Ping - Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[frogjerk]

When questioned as to whether the Church might be accused of "homophobia," the French psychologist reacted quickly. The term "homophobia," he said, is "a slogan of intimidation." The Instruction insists on respectful treatment of homosexual persons, he pointed out; the Vatican is not encouraging or condoning hatred for those who suffer same-sex impulses.

God Bless this Jesuit!

[Mulch]

When questioned as to whether the Church might be accused of "homophobia," the French psychologist reacted quickly. The term "homophobia," he said, is "a slogan of intimidation."

Also used as a rhetorical device to shift the psychological problem away from themselves.

[Redbob]

A "phobia" is defined as an irrational or illogical fear.

What is the suffix connoting a perfectly rational dislike?

(Merriam-Webster Online defines "phobe" as "one fearing or averse to (something specified) e.g.,Francophobe " - I love their example!)

[FormerLib]

I was recently informed about how the left maintains that regarding homosexual acts as sins was an invention of the church in Medieval times. Their theories were laughable, of course, but it appears that many of them actually believe this nonsensical propaganda.

[eastsider]

The term "homophobia," he said, is "a slogan of intimidation."

There's hope for the Jebbies yet.

[Last Dakotan]

Good to see some good Jesuits are still around. I remember many from my college days in the 80's. They will need to repopulate the order

[Aquinasfan]

The French priest-psychologist cited decisions by the Council of Paris in 819, and the 3rd and 4th Lateran Councils in 1169 and 1215.

Good find! Thanks.