[hoosierskypilot]

I disagree. It's a choice; not an illness. And it's sin.

[anniegetyourgun]

I agree. And there's no such thing as a 'sex change'....it's nothing more than medical mutilation.

[Cicero]

That's what the Vatican statement implies, if it doesn't state it directly.

A transexual suffers from a mental illness, in which causes him or her to imagine that he is of a different sex from his body. Of course that is not the case.

If, as you say, he mutilates his body with a so-called "sex change operation" and does it in a way that is "irreversible," according to this directive, then even if he repents of the action he is still ineligible, because he has permanently maimed himself.

So it's not only a sin but a permanent disqualification from the priesthood or religious orders.

As I recall from a course I took long ago on medieval history, a man cannot be a priest if he is mutilated, especially if he has lost the fingers that would normally be used to consecrate the host. It may not be his fault, but it's an impediment to performing the priestly functions. That seems to be the case here, too.

[SouthernFreebird]

I think the same could/should be said for homosexuals..... they should be expelled from the priesthood.

[SamAdams76]

And abusing young boys is a sin too. Perhaps the church should first purge their ranks of this scum instead of worrying about transsexuals. I mean, come on, whoever heard of a transsexual priest?

The Archidiocese in Boston just got permission to sell church property to start settling these cases with money. They are hoping that by paying off the victims, the whole thing will just blow away. Well the priests involved in this should be put in jail first.

[CedarDave]

The directives were the latest in a series of Vatican pronouncements on eligibility for the priesthood issued ahead of a long-awaited set of guidelines for seminaries in accepting candidates for the clergy.

Transexuals are in good company. The eligibility guidelines already ban 50% of the planet's population -- women.

[Ciexyz]

Hmm, wonder if the Presbyterian Church USA (my denomination) has similar guidelines. (smile)

[F16Fighter]

Has there been a rebuttal from Michael Jackson yet?

[smith288]

No one should be dissallowed the word of God and the teaching of Christ because they suffer a mental illness or make sinful choices.

But I am not in the position to criticize the Catholic Church for fear of being labeled a "Catholic basher". *Sigh*