Posted on 01/14/2005 3:44:50 PM PST by sinkspur
The long-awaited document from the Congregation for Catholic Education on the admission of homosexuals to Catholic seminaries may be nearing publication. In mid-January, word was that the document could be released in a Vatican press conference as early as February. On the other hand, sources advised caution -- desk drawers in Vatican offices are full of documents that once reached the brink of publication, but for one reason or another never saw the light of day.
If released in something like its present form, the document is expected to say that "homosexuals" should not be admitted to seminaries, and hence should not be ordained as priests.
Sources told NCR that it is unlikely, however, that the document will go into detail in terms of defining "homosexuality" -- whether it refers to a transitory impulse, an enduring orientation, or something in between -- which means that in practice some discretion would be left in the hands of bishops and seminary rectors to determine whether a given case amounts to "homosexuality" in the sense intended by the policy.
In other words, the two do not go hand in hand. Sound spiritual direction in seminaries combined with a return to some form of disciplinary sanity would go a long way to solving this problem.
The gays would howl and holler when they were shown the door and kick up a real stink but this is a small price to pay.
I do not desire to be a married priest. I can preach, which is what I really became a deacon to do. I don't want the responsibility of a parish, and I don't want to be subject to being moved around, at the whim of the bishop.
Did I say that I do not desire the priesthood for myself? I hope I've now made that clear.
If you don't like it "here", leave. But, please, don't rally to impose what "you want" on the rest of the church. That would be utterly selfish.
You've surely read the papers lately. Many priests, and not a few bishops, have encouraged that the issue of married priests be discussed. So, it's not as if I'm a lone Ranger on this.
Celibacy is a discipline, not a doctrine. If this forum tolerates sedevacantists, it can surely tolerate the discussion of married priests.
I went to Latin Mass today, there are 4 Priest who assist that Mass on a rotating basis. The Priest who assisted today is probably about 65 years old, suffering very noticeably from Parkinson's, and there he was today, praying the Mass, full genuflections (that's sometimes hard for me to do!), affliction and all.
Who knows who'll take his place, if anyone. I don't like to think about it.
The list will contain the very same bishops,who have protected and covered the abusing priests. They are the same bishops who have blocked heterosexual candidates,who are firm in the faith,from entering the seminaries.
You are so right. It would place a great additional burden on those priests that were truly seeking to be like Christ.
Has there been any more information on Father Minkler's death? I can't imagine that his family is just accepting that ludicrous pile of lies from the chancery office. But I suppose a murder in the family would tend to make one quiet.
A great FReeper reference source. Thank you!
Glad you were able to access it.
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