Replies

I think that declaring that a celibate homosexual should not be ordained is a sticky wicket and I think it should be discussed but with greatest caution.

Since the Church started relying on all sorts of psychological testing the question of homosexual tendencies or preferences is apt to be subject to imperfect tests and biased interpretations.Furthermore,the dilemma this poses cannot be put back in the box.

You can argue this but the die has been cast. Imagine a test contrived to force an answer regards one's sexuality,most tests have these forced choices in a few areas.

What if one never thought about sex at all? Might this person be said to be fixated at a very young social/psychological age and rejectd.

How about if one never,ever considered or thought about homosexualty? Would this be interpreted as too immature for the priesthood,or would the person be considered to be hiding something or dishonest?

It seems to me that if the Church made a decision to not ordain celibate homosexuals it would invite real problems that in the end would deprive the priesthood of many innocents as well as many men that know that the Holy Spirit,prayer and fasting can overcome temptations.It also lose men who had very low sex drives. It also might eliminate men who had examined themselves and their lives and decided they had no interest in men yet the question might be structured in such a way that an honest answer would be "yes,I have considered homosexuality".

In most of these tests an answer that might be true might and honest might cause the testgiver to mark the candidate unacceptable due to an inability to deal with reality.This age of testing presents real problems and not only could we lose men who "might" have homosexual attractions to men but also heterosexuals who are eliminated based on the types of tests designed to probe sexuality.

The answer lies in "fidelity,fidelity,fidelity" and good orthodox Catholic priests and Bishops dedicated to teaching the Truth of the Faith.

I disagree with your premise 'that if the Church does NOT ordain celibate homosexuals....She will be deprived...'

Certainly there will be less candidates for the priesthood. But your formulation is identical to that used by those who are agitating for female priests, AND for the married priesthood.

Moreover, the prudent Bishop (and prudence is required for the job) will not place someone in a position where the temptations are extra-ordinary and numerous.

At least part of the problem would be resolved if Bishops were to make 'common life' a requirement for priests, again, i.e, The Rectory. And in parishes with only one priest, or parishes served by a circuit rider, THOSE priests should find a centrally-located Rectory, as well.

Sara: Taking this off the question of homosexuality for a less controversial failing of alcoholism. It MAY be that a tendency toward alcoholism may be genetic as it MAY be that a tendency toward homosexuality is genetic. I think the evidence for a tendency toward alcoholism being genetic is stronger. Obviously, homosexuality would be hard to describe as an inherited trait. Alcoholism runs in many families and not at all in others.

God gives us no challenges that we cannot overcome with His graces. If, as I suspect, I have a tendency to alcoholism, I have been able by near total abstinence to avoid that near occasion of sin. I do have plenty of sins but that is not one. At most there might be a genetic predisposition toward homosexuality but abstinence and prayer will overcome it.

John XXIII ordered that homosexuals NOT be ordained. Run them out of the priesthood and there will be an upsurge of orthodox vocations. If we suffer a temporary shortage, it will soon be overcome. The effects of the lavender actions and scandals are NOT soon going away. We gotta do what we gotta do.