[LiteKeeper]

Homosexuals are not disordered. They are out of order - read "sin" They need to repent (as in metanoia = "change of mind").

[Polycarp IV]

From the article, very sound advice:

Many people have wondered what can be done to solve the problem. Here is one possible scheme:


1. If a priest is "gay"--that is, living a homosexual lifestyle--he should be removed from ministry immediately and quietly. He should have no position of authority or responsibility in the Church and should seek secular employment instead. (Will some dioceses be understaffed? Yes, but too bad. Just squeeze more people into fewer pews until new priests are trained.)


2. If a priest is homosexual but not "gay"--that is, if he is living chastely--let him continue in ministry until normal retirement.


3. Exclude from seminary formation and ordination any homosexual, whether "gay" or chaste. The former brings with him too much baggage, and the latter should not sign up for "guy-only" work that will have him living with other men (thus putting him into near occasions of sin). Even if the chaste homosexual thinks he has a call to the priesthood, it would be uncharitable to him to admit him to ordination. He should be encouraged to serve the Church in other ways.


This three-step process would solve the abuse scandal almost overnight, and it would heal the priesthood in America over the next two decades or so. It would cause inconvenience in those dioceses with a high proportion of "gay" priests, but that inconvenience will pass soon enough and, in any case, is more palatable than the existing situation.

[Maximilian]

The Church does not say that homosexual persons are "objectively disordered." It says that homosexual persons have a disorder, and it says that homosexual acts (not homosexual persons) are "intrinsically disordered"

Keating has this wrong. The Vatican issued a definitive statement some 10 or 15 years ago, and they said that homosexual acts are always wrong and sinful, while a homosexual inclination itself was an intrinsic disorder. Any homosexual leanings represent an intrinsic disorder, not just the fulfillment, which is de facto mortal sin, and thus beyond being just a disorder.

This is only confusing when (like the priest of Britain) one knows nothing of original sin. Just think in terms of original sin: concupiscence, weakened will, darkened intellect, disorderd passions. This perfectly explains why people may be born with homosexual inclinations, just like some people have a greater tendency towards all sorts of other crimes like alchoholism, kleptomania, pedophilia, pyromania, etc. All of us have inclinations towards some sins.

The Catholic position is the opposite of the gay slogan "God don't make no junk." The Catholic position says that we are all born in original sin and deserving of eternal punishment. It is only through the extraordinary act of redemption that we can be saved.

[Maximilian]

Here is the quote from the Vatican letter regarding pastoral practice towards homosexuals:

``Although the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil; and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder. Therefore special concern and pastoral attention should be directed toward those who have this condition, lest they be led to believe that the living out of this orientation in homosexual activity is a morally acceptable option. It is not''.

``As in every moral disorder, homosexual activity prevents one's own fulfillment and happiness by acting contrary to the creative wisdom of God. The Church, in rejecting erroneous opinions regarding homosexuality, does not limit but rather defends personal freedom and dignity realistically and authentically understood''.

[little jeremiah]

Homosexual Agenda Ping.... I think Alert fits in here somewhere.

A reasonable voice for the homosexual "priest" problem. I use quotes because a real priest cannot be a homosexual.

There is not a pedophile problem in the Catholic Church, there is a problem because so many homosexuals joined the priesthood, many with ulterior motives. Remove the homosexuals, problem is gone. (IMHO)

If anyone wants to be added to or subtracted from this ping list, inform me!

(thanks, CFA!)

[Tantumergo]

One small crumb of comfort from that survey of British priests was their response to the question "Do you believe that Jesus Christ physically rose from the dead?"

The affirmative response was YES - 98%!!!!

This compared to the response of Church of England ministers which was only YES - 45%.

It still begs the question where can an English Catholic go to find an orthodox priest???

[HarleyD]

I guess I’m a little confused. Don’t priests live a celebrate life? I don’t know how you could have “heterosexual” or “homosexual” priests. If so then I would think they would just like to be known as priests.

I think there are long term errors in making such distinctions. By making these distinctions it looks like a slippery slope to priesthood marriage where then you'll get into the "heterosexual"/"homosexual" issue.

[NYer]

Fr. Francis' guest last night on EWTN's Life On The Rock, is a catholic psychologist (not a conundrum!). He spoke at length about homosexuality. It is treatable! One of the more successful programs he mentioned was Courage .

"Courage, an apostolate of the Roman Catholic Church, ministers to those with same-sex attractions and their loved ones. We have been endorsed by the Pontifical Council for the Family."

Courage Network

[John O]

Catholic Answers Karl Keating: All active homosexuals should be removed from the priesthood immediately

Keating is wrong here in that he makes a distinction between active 'homosexuals' and inactive 'homosexuals'. There is no such distinction

Homosexuality is a behavior pattern (disease if you prefer) known only by its actions. There is no such thing as 'homosexual' orientation. Until a corpse of an unknown person can be reliably proved to have been 'homosexual' then 'orientation' remains merely a myth