Bishop-Elect [Columbus, OH] Challenges Gays in Seminaries

Church Militant ^ | 4/8/22 | Jules Gomes

[marshmallow]

Fr. Earl Fernandes decries normalization of gay subculture in formation

COLUMBUS, OH (ChurchMilitant.com) - The bishop-elect of Columbus, Ohio, has challenged the admission of men with homosexual tendencies into seminaries, vigorously defending Pope Benedict XVI's ban on ordaining gays as priests.

Father Earl Fernandes, the first priest of Indian origin to be appointed a bishop in the United States, warned against the priesthood being seen "as a refuge for those who would not desire marriage," given "the continual devolution of sexuality in the culture."

Benedict's Instruction

In an academic book titled Seminary Formation and Homosexuality, Fernandes argues that, according to Benedict, even "support of the homosexual movement" is sufficient "to disqualify a candidate from the priesthood."

"Such a person cannot be judged to have the requisite affective maturity demanded of the priestly vocation and cannot properly assume the role of father and spouse," writes the priest. The 44-page book is an elaboration of his earlier journal article on the topic.

Fernandes demonstrates how Benedict's comments prohibiting homosexuals in seminaries in his book Light of the World "do not represent a new teaching of the Church."

The former pontiff's comments are "perfectly consistent with the Church's doctrine and norms regarding homosexuality and the sacrament of Holy Orders," the 49-year-old Cincinnati cleric notes, lamenting the fact there has been "little reference" to the instruction since its publication in 2005.

"It is no small matter to stand in persona Christi at the altars of the Church," Fernandes emphasizes. Priests "are to be men, configured to Jesus Christ (the head, shepherd and spouse of the Church), capable of giving themselves completely to their Bride the Church with generous hearts, animated by the true spirit of pastoral charity."

[George from New England]

One good man, many not so.

[ebb tide]

Fernandes, who initially pursued a career in medicine, credited his parents for his deep Catholic faith. His mother made sure the children began their day with a morning offering and that they carried Rosaries wherever they went — and the boys often found their father praying in the hospital chapel during his workday.

"I think maybe I learned more about life and faith from my parents when I was five years old, watching them pray and praying the Rosary every day, than I ever did in all my seminary [studies and] doing my doctoral work," the priest, who is fluent in Italian, Spanish and French, said.

[usurper]

The bishop-elect of Columbus

I don't understand, do bishops have to run for office?

[Gahanna Bob]

He doesn’t start until the end of June. Bishops are appointed by the Pope.

[Campion]

He sounds like an actual faithful Catholic. Someone in Rome really dropped the ball. ;-)

[livius]

Great news. We have many foreign born Indian priests in my diocese, most of them members of religious orders. They’re generally ok…no raving heretics, but brought up in VII and just doing their jobs…although we have one who is brilliant and celebrates the TLM. He’s here studying and is also a hospital chaplain. Great preaching.

Fernandes was born here of Indian parents, and from my experience with Indian Catholics, they’re pretty solid. He seems like he will be a true defender of the Faith. Very interesting choice

[chopperk]

The Bishop has his hands full,,,,seems the homos have their hooks into the Church and will never let go.

[irishjuggler]

“He sounds like an actual faithful Catholic. Someone in Rome really dropped the ball. ;-)”

Was thinking the same. Someone in sunny Roma didn’t do his homework and is probably kicking himself right now. It was probably like, “Has there ever been an Indian bishop in the U.S.? No? Done, and off to my grand lunch at the trattoria...”

[MinorityRepublican]

While a Los Angeles Times survey of US priests find that 15% say they are completely or mostly homosexual, estimates of homosexual priests run as high as 50%

[irishjuggler]

“and from my experience with Indian Catholics, they’re pretty solid.”

I agree with you. That’s been my experience as well. Solid, family-values-type people with a strong Catholic identity forged by being an embattled minority in the old country.

[fidelis]

” While a Los Angeles Times survey of US priests find that 15% say they are completely or mostly homosexual, estimates of homosexual priests run as high as 50%”

Thus saith the LA Times. LOL.

[MDLION]

“Indian priests”

All the Indian Catholics I’ve known in Louisville have been orthodox. We’ve had a number of Asian priests in Louisville and they’re all solidly orthodox. I’ve often wondered why. You sometimes hear stories about their parents barely escaping the Communists in Vietnam. Do poverty and persecution make people cling to Jesus so tightly that they have no time for the decadent rebellion of native Westerners?

[Ge0ffrey]

Refreshing

[Ann Archy]

PRAY for Father Earl!!!

[Varda]

Nobody who’s around priests would think 50% are homosexual. Sounds like anti-Catholic drivel to me.

[MinorityRepublican]

So what is the accurate number then?

[Varda]

Why not go with the survey number? It sounds plausible.
One of the big problems in the Catholic Church is the number of people who turn a blind eye to the homosexuals. They aren't homosexual themselves but don't seem to want to call out those with this particular sin. Our Bishop is like that. It makes everything worse because even 15% is guaranteed trouble.

[Campion]

off to my grand lunch at the trattoria

"I can't think about this anymore right now, my mind is on veal saltimbocca and gelato ..."