Thanks, that's a positive take on it that I hadn't considered. I suppose the big (I mean BIG) problem with this or anything the Vatican orders is enforcement.
No matter what rulings come out of Rome, the bishops seem to feel quite free to ignore them. I don't know what teeth are going to be put into this; I think that will be the crucial point.
One hopes that BXVI's enforcement will be a little more energetic than that of his predecessor, but it is in any case a very difficult thing, particularly since the US bishops (and superiors) have been allowed to run amok for so many years. Even as we speak, they're probably sitting in bed reading this with a knowing smile prior to tossing it into the recycling bin.
The document looks very good. Better than I expected, frankly.
This was the only phrase that bothered me, but it's necessary. All sinners deserve a chance for repentence. Certainly there are many heterosexual seminarians who were sexually active before entering the priesthood.
I can't imagine a better statement. I'm delighted. What a great Thanksgiving present.
Now prepare for an all out war against the Church in the West.
Bingo. The way I read it, this takes subjectivity away from the question of whether to keep or kick out a homosexual seminarian. This puts the folks who run our seminaries on notice: if there's a violation of these guidelines, they must go, and the onus is on YOU to be obedient to this declaration.
I'm glad they addressed the issue of deception, as well.
I tend to agree. Once expelled from a seminary for this reason, the expulsion will be like a "Mark of Cain" everywhere else the individual might try to go to later.
I think, upon reflection, that this is a good thing to have put in. At first, I was dismayed that there wasn't an outright ban. That, of course, could work. But, this way, a "pool" of prospective seminarians of homosexual tendency can be eliminated from present and future seminary attendance when they can be relied upon (almost guaranteed) to "flunk" the time period. Once out, they will never get back in (if this is actually going to have teeth in it, and get enforced), and the appropriate message will have been sent. The underground network will be essentially broken.
Seminary rectors who have facilitated the status quo for years also need to be dealt with in an even tougher fashion, else the document may be gutted. Many in this country should be dismissed forthwith. I wish that issue was directly addressed.