Posted on 12/06/2005 1:19:38 PM PST by NYer
Front Royal, Va, Dec. 06, 2005 (CNA) - "The Church recognizes that people with 'homosexual tendencies' can be good Christians, social workers, and administrators, but being a priest is all of these things and much more, stated Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, president of Human Life International.
His comment came following the release of Concerning the Criteria of Vocational Discernment Regarding Persons with Homosexual Tendencies in View of their Admission to Seminaries and Holy Orders by the Congregation for Catholic Education.
"Engaging in homosexual acts is a grave, mortal sin that endangers the immortal soul of the practitioner and such a lifestyle compromises a man's ability to competently serve as a priest," stated Fr. Euteneuer.
"The statement released last week with the approval of Pope Benedict XVI clearly restates the Church's longstanding teaching that men who struggle with disordered passions or suffer from the burden of homosexual sin cannot be admitted to the priesthood, and we are grateful to the Vatican for this document .. . ."
"The Church does not deny that those with homosexual tendencies cannot be chaste. It just makes a clear distinction between chastity and celibacy. Christians are called to live sexually chaste lives regardless of any personal tendency or disorder. Celibacy however requires that men renounce marriage for the sake of the kingdom of God-- something homosexuals cannot do. The Church is within her rights to ask that her priests make this sacrifice in imitation of Christ" concluded Fr. Euteneuer.
Founded in 1981, Human Life International is the world's largest pro-life, pro-family organization that is dedicated to defending life, faith and the family, with branches and affiliates around the world.
For a man whose desires are intrinsically disordered, renunciation of marriage is a meaningless act that involves no hardship.
It is sad that we live in a world where the last seven words of this sentence have become necessary.
Why can't they??
This is a comprehensive article while also, obviously, a brief one. Seems to be straightforward as to the issue of why homosexuality is objectionable to and not in compliance with qualifications for the Priesthood.
Unfortunately, the simple truth (isn't truth like that) is resisted by those seeking to avoid it, in Biblical and Church contexts.
I suspect that the double negative is unintentional.
There was a big discussion about this on another thread!
"Why can't they??"
I also think the double negative was just sloppy writing, but they blundered into the truth quite by accident.
SSAD is defined by a pathological compulsion to be unchaste. The thing about pathological compulsions is that they are too strong, and the individual too disordered, to allow any confidence that the disordered person will not falter.
It's hard enough for a healthy man to resist normal desires. To expect a disordered person to resist pathological compulsions is just silly.
Thats right, there is no power in the universe capable of allowing them to resist temptation. No use trying to be a faithful Christian. /Sarcasm off. Your point is silly.
"Thats right, there is no power in the universe capable of allowing them to resist temptation. No use trying to be a faithful Christian. /Sarcasm off. Your point is silly."
No, my point is simple realism. Unless you think you can cash in green stamps for miracles.
Aside from which, you overlook the distinction between mere temptation and disordered compulsions.
Miracles do happen, but you can't order them up like a pizza.
You are wrong.
Nope, you are.
Want to continue in this vein?
This is a good post--I hadn't thought of it like this before.
Yae its an absolute. No gray area, you are wrong, objectively verifiably wrong.
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