[NYer]

Brother Patrick Tobin, left, participates in a discussion about Psalms at the Aquinas Institute of Theology.

Part of the unease stems from one of the document's dozens of questions: "Is
there evidence of homosexuality in the seminary?"

Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, feel the
probe is a simplistic and misguided effort that shifts blame for the abuse
crisis to others. The support group feels the problem lies mainly with the
church's response to the abuse allegations.

"Seminarians, gay or straight, didn't repeatedly shun victims, transfer
predators, or deceive prosecutors ... ," said SNAP's outreach director, Barbara
Doris. "The responsibility for (the widespread sexual abuse) lies with the
bishops themselves. It's shameful that they continue to blame others for their
callousness."

Bouchard said that that impression was understandable but seminaries had made
several changes over the past 25 years that needed to be evaluated. Those
changes include a rigorous psychological evaluation, year-long internship at a
parish in another city for outside evaluation and regular assessments during
study.

"We're in a good position to demonstrate that our procedures are effective in
preventing this abuse in the future," he said.

Some critics of the church also say the investigations are an attempt to link
the clergy sexual abuse scandal with homosexuality.

Bouchard said that what Aquinas tried to determine about its applicants was
whether they have the capability to live a celibate life.

Whereas some Catholics believe that homosexuality should disqualify men from
priesthood, Bouchard said, "We hope to provide evidence that that shouldn't be
the case."

When the Vatican receives a report on each seminary at the end of spring, it
will issue a written evaluation to the bishop or major superior responsible for
the school.

[AnAmericanMother]

I thought maybe the Vatican was going in alphabetical order, until I read this:

Whereas some Catholics believe that homosexuality should disqualify men from priesthood, Bouchard said, "We hope to provide evidence that that shouldn't be the case."

It seems that BXVI has decided it's time for the Church to quit pussyfooting around the elephant in the living room -- the oh so politically incorrect but obvious link between the abuse scandal and homosexual priests. The secondary problem is those seminary presidents who insist on making up their own rules -- always in favor of laxity, heterodoxy, and the Spirit of the Age. Hopefully BXVI has made up his mind to get rid of them too, because the abuse scandal started right there.

I can't believe this seminary president is so oblivious to the handwriting on the wall that he would say something like this for public attribution. But maybe that's a good thing - easier to locate and remove.

[Tax-chick]

Some critics of the church also say the investigations are an attempt to link the clergy sexual abuse scandal with homosexuality.

Are they suggesting that adult men's sexual activity with teenage boys is unrelated to homosexuality? Yo, guys, earth to Planet Zongo!

[Aquinasfan]

Part of the unease stems from one of the document's dozens of questions: "Is there evidence of homosexuality in the seminary?"

"Unease"? This scrutiny should be welcomed. It sounds like our seminaries are in need of a good housecleaning.