Posted on 11/30/2005 6:27:01 AM PST by StAthanasiustheGreat
Gay priest ruling adds fuel to fire Vatican document stands out more as pope's first than for whom it bans
By Margaret Ramirez and Manya A. Brachear, Tribune staff reporters. Tribune news services contributed to this report Published November 30, 2005
The Vatican issued a long-awaited document Tuesday on the explosive issue of homosexuality in the priesthood, but the document banning men with "deep-seated homosexual tendencies" added more heat than light to the controversy.
In fact, several scholars said that the text of the document--which largely restates long-standing Roman Catholic teaching on homosexuality--matters less than its timing and prominence. It marks the first major policy statement since Pope Benedict XVI took office in April, and it comes at a time when Vatican officials are inspecting U.S. seminaries, while the sexual abuse scandal still reverberates in the church.
Almost immediately, there was heated debate and stark disagreement about the potential impact of the document in Catholic seminaries, to whom the "instruction" from the Congregation for Catholic Education is addressed.
In addition to barring those with "deep-seated homosexual tendencies," the document says ordination to the priesthood should not be allowed for those who have had homosexual encounters during the prior three years or those who support the "gay culture."
Cardinal Francis George said the document was "entirely consistent with the present policies of the Chicago archdiocesan seminaries, which have been in place for more than 10 years. The criteria of the instruction are also entirely consistent with the teaching of the church for the past 2,000 years."
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Now that's what I expected from Cardinal George. No surprises on the scorecard yet....
"...more heat than light to the controversy. "
What a stupid thing to write. The authors feel the heat only because they do not like the clarity of the light.
Blinded by the light....
Definitely one of the good guys. Sadly, he will be busy the rest of his life cleaning up Chicago. And, then his successor will be busy the rest of his life cleaning it up. Then, maybe Chicago will be cleaned.
It doesn't seem like the Church made any change in policy, just a restatement of what is SUPPOSED to be practiced in the seminaries. I suspect the timeliness was purposeful, to coincide with the inspection of those seminaries that are considered liberal leaning on the issue.
The question, naturally, is, "where were you guys 25 years ago?" Isn't it the bishop's job to ensure that the future priests are solidly trained and worthy of the title?
Regards
Glad to see that "adds fuel to the fire" is not Cardinal George's reaction! Wreckless writing alert: A faggot is a fuel for a fire.
Catholic-hierarchy.org always shows bizarre fluctuations, but the number of priests in Chicago appears to be rising in the past five years, after falling disasterously during the Bernadin era.
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