Why should a truly celibate homosexual be denied Holy Orders? Isn't homosexuality, when not acted upon, merely an inclination to sin? And don't all priests, bishops, etc., have inclinations to sin, just like all the rest of us? This is an issue I've struggled with myself. Merely using the term "homosexual orientation" is a tacit acceptance of an anti-spiritual school of thought - the kind in which the world is all shades of grey, there is no black or white, and evil can be explained away as blameless illness at the worst, but more often is turned back to condemn the intolerance of those who refuse to accept it.
I would think a truly Catholic mindset would reject the hyper-sexualized ontology of "sexual orientation" as a defining trait for a person. That notion belongs to a spiritually bankrupt ideology, and Catholicism should have no room for it.
On the other hand, strong temptation toward sin is something that fits squarely within the realm of Catholic inquiry. It is wrong, and even cruel, to knowingly put someone in a position where they'd be subject to a constant bombardment of the very sinful temptation they're least able to resist.
Unlike the current hyper-sexual modern mindset, I don't think the priestly life is inherently more sinfully tempting homosexually than heterosexually. Priests are around male and female parishioners constantly. The life is celibate, but not cloistered.
However, there is clearly something structurally wrong with the modern priestly institution that is creating more problems for those tempted for homosexual sin, rather than other sexual sins. Until this can be corrected, I think it is entirely proper to question whether homosexuals (as the modern term is used) should be admitted to the priesthood.
Here's what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says about homosexuality:
Chastity and homosexuality
- 2357
- Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,(141) tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."(142) They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.
- 2358
- The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.
- 2359
- Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.
Notes
141. Cf. Gen 19:1-29; Rom 1:24-27; 1 Cor 6:10; 1 Tim 1:10.
142. CDF, Persona humana 8.