Vatican hit by gay sex scandal

Guardian ^ | March 4th 2010 | John Hooper in Romei

[Cardhu]

Vatican chorister sacked for allegedly procuring male prostitutes for papal gentleman-in-waiting.

The Vatican was today rocked by a sex scandal reaching into Pope Benedict's household after a chorister was sacked for allegedly procuring male prostitutes for a papal gentleman-in-waiting.

Angelo Balducci, a Gentleman of His Holiness, was caught by police on a wiretap allegedly negotiating with Thomas Chinedu Ehiem, a 29-year-old Vatican chorister, over the specific physical details of men he wanted brought to him. Transcripts in the possession of the Guardian suggest that numerous men may have been procured for Balducci, at least one of whom was studying for the priesthood.

The explosive claims about Balducci's private life have caused grave embarrassment to the Vatican, which has yet to publicly comment on the affair.

While Catholicism does not condemn homosexuality outright, its teaching is that homosexual acts "are intrinsically disordered". The Catechism of the Catholic church states unequivocally: "Under no circumstances can they be approved."

Balducci was arrested on 10 February, suspected of involvement in widespread corruption. A senior Italian government official, he is alleged to have to steered public works contracts towards favoured bidders. He has not been charged.

[pissant]

Not sure. How’s Ted Haggard doing these days?

[JudyinCanada]

I was simply stating that the priesthood would attract homosexuals. I also think that teaching young children would be an attraction to homosexuals as well.

In Ontario, the elementary school system is loaded with homosexual teachers....it’s almost like it’s a requirement.

[balls]

I see lots of cognitive disonance in response to your observation. I agree 100% with you.

[Antoninus]

However, you posted nothing from the Catholic church saying that sodomy was a sin, if done.

The sins that cry out to heaven for vengeance:

1. Willful Murder
2. The sin of Sodom
3. Oppression of Widows and Orphans
4. Defrauding a worker of his just wages

Crying to Heaven for Vengeance

[word_warrior_bob]

Did I say that? No I didn’t, nice strawman. Exactly how liberals “debate”.

[Antoninus]

Boy from very religious families who didn't show a proclivity for women were/are often steered toward a priestly vocation. Many of these guys go in thinking that embracing the priesthood will cure them of their "urges." Once in the priesthood, the encounter others such as themselves, and the obvious happens.

That may have been the case 100 years ago. Nowadays, there is an active attempt at infiltration of the Church by homos going on. It is being resisted very strongly, but they're still trying.

[JudyinCanada]

No, I was saying that I think some homosexuals are attracted to the priesthood.

[caww]

Don’t be so quick to object to that statement...I know a fellow who left seminary because almost all in his class were homosexuals.

[JudyinCanada]

It’s not baseless slander at all.

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

Hey, let’s wait 3 years and see if they’re over their gay tendencies by then. < :P

[UnRuley1]

This fellow you know should realize that there are dozens of seminaries around the country. He could have requested to change schools. All he had to do is contact his Vocation Director at his home diocese and explain the issue. He left for another reason and used that as his excuse. When a man has a true "calling" he will find a way.
I know this because my brother spent 8 years at 2 seminaries and is currently a parish priest. He had to deal with this also. When he saw anything that was inapporpriate (gay behavior between students, drinking, partying etc) he reported it to the director at the seminary.
In addition our diocese is extremely cautious and does psych evaluations and extensive interviews with each man wanting to enter the priesthood. They do their best to weed out anyone not suited to the vocation before they go to the seminary as the diocese is paying the tuition. Not all dioceses (I'm thinking liberal East and West coast) though do such a good job so many who should not be at the seminary go anyway.

[Crichton]

Unfortunately, because priests are not allowed to marry, this closes the door to most normal men who might otherwise want to serve. This puts the catholic church in the position of being somewhat desperate, and therefore less discriminating. Allow priests to marry and the problem would be greatly alleviated.

Yeah, look at the Episcopalians.

Oops, bad example....

Seriously, though, I hope you would give your position further consideration before spouting off ill-considered criticism of a religion you don't understand.

Castigating men who choose to forego a family and completely devote their lives to Christ is hateful and uncharitable.

There's nothing wrong with married priests, but it's not a panacea.

[JudyinCanada]

I understand the Catholic religion. I am one.

I also feel that not allowing priests to marry leaves out many good and Godly men. This does not mean that there are not wonderful, Godly priests. I know of many and certainly wasn’t castigating anyone. There is, however, a shortage of priests. Don’t you think that not being able to marry could be playing a large factor in that?

I also stand by what I said. I think the the priesthood would attract homosexual men for the reasons I previously stated.

[Crichton]

I understand the Catholic religion. I am one.

That counts as an obvious non sequitur these days.

Go back and read your post again until you realize why it inspired such condemnation.

[Juana la Loca]

You’ve interpreted the Church’s teaching incorrectly. Let me make a clarification for you. According to the Catholic Church, the attraction to members of one’s own sex is not considered sinful, but disordered. Homosexuals are called to live chaste, celibate lives and they are alike in human dignity as the rest of us sinners. When individuals act on those disordered desires, the homosexual ACT is indeed sinful in the eyes of the Catholic church, and just as grave a sin as any sexual intercourse outside the banns of marriage.

FWIW, I have an aunt that is a lesbian. She suffered sexual abuse at a young age, suffered from mental instability through her teens, and was pretty much forced into an arranged marriage to an SOB that beat her on a regular basis. She ultimately got divorced, and not surprisingly, given her history, later came out as a lesbian. She lived with a woman partner for many years until she was dumped. She saw the error of her ways, reconciled with the Church, disavowed the homosexual lifestyle, but still struggles with same sex attraction. She lives a celibate life and is active in her local Catholic Church, not as an activist, but in quiet humility in service to our Lord.

For those who struggle with same sex attraction but wish to live in communion with the Church, they should contact the local chapter of the Courage ministry.

http://www.couragerc.net/

[POWERSBOOTHEFAN]

I stand w/the Catholic church on its stance against homosexuality and abortion,even though I’m Jewish.

[B Knotts]

I was simply stating that the priesthood would attract homosexuals.

It may, but that is not sufficient reason to change the discipline of celibacy in the Latin Rite priesthood.

The problem is that there are many seminaries which are or have been very poorly run (see St. John's in Camarillo). Vocations directors and seminary rectors need to reject candidates who show a tendency towards homosexuality.

[UnRuley1]

I am a Catholic also, and my brother is a priest. Allowing priests to marry would not change this issue. Again, I point out that God "calls" someone to the priesthood. It is not a career choice but a vocation.
Marriage is also a vocation. Fully living your vocation in marriage is in and of itself a full-time proposition. The vocation of the priesthood is the same. Trying to live out 2 vocations at the same time means something has to give.
Here is an example: this past weekend my nephew (who is not Catholic) got married. My brother, the priest, attended the wedding. During the ceremony, my brother got a message that he needed to go annoit a dying person at the hospital. The hospital was at the opposite side of the valley from where the wedding was. There was no way he could go to the hospital and return in time for the remainder of the wedding.
Bottom line, he had to go to the hospital. His vocation came first behind his family.

[lonestar]

over here

[yorkie]

"Marriage is also a vocation. Fully living your vocation in marriage is in and of itself a full-time proposition."

Oh, how this world would be different, if what you profess were actually true.

Today, at least from my perspective, once the knot is tied, and the couple are husband and wife, the courtship stops. The romance comes to an end, and each tend to take the other for granted.

If a husband and wife actually looked at marriage as a full time vocation - and gave it their all, unselfishly, with heart-felt compassion for the other, I truly believe there would be very few divorces.