Posted on 01/12/2025 1:30:44 PM PST by ebb tide
A new directive from the Italian Bishops Conference will allow gay seminary candidates to be assessed in the same way that heterosexual candidates, clearing up two decades worth of confusion caused by ambiguous Vatican statements about gay men and the priesthood. This directive was approved by the Vatican.
ANSA Brazil reported that the conference statement said that “an orientation towards celibate life” is what will be required of gay candidates. This is the same requirement which heterosexual candidates must meet. The conference statement continued:
“In the formative process, when reference is made to homosexual tendencies it is appropriate not to reduce discernment to this aspect alone, but … to understand its meaning within the whole framework of the young person’s personality. . . .The objective of the formation of the candidate for the priesthood in the affective-sexual sphere is the ability to accept as a gift, to freely choose and to live chastity in celibacy responsibly. . .”
This guidance was released on the Italian Bishops Conference website.
Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director of New Ways Ministry, commented:
“This developement is a big step forward. It clarifies previous ambiguous statements about gay seminary candidates, which viewed them with suspicion. This ambiguity caused lots of fear and discrimination in the church, way beyond the arena of seminary admissions.
This new clarification treats gay candidates in the same way that heterosexual candidates are treated. That type of equal treatment is what the Church should be aiming for in regards to all LGBTQ+ issues.”
This new guidance clarifies two previous statements from the Vatican in 2005 and 2016. The 2016 statement, signed by Pope Francis, was basically a reiteration of the 2005 statement, signed by Pope Benedict XVI. In fact the latter statement directly quoted from the earlier one:
“The Church, while profoundly respecting the persons in question, cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practise homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called ‘gay culture’. Such persons, in fact, find themselves in a situation that gravely hinders them from relating correctly to men and women.”
These two previous statements created a climate of fear among gay priests and seminarians for two decades. This exclusion also helped to fuel unsubstantiated claims that gay priests were responsible for the clergy sex abuse crisis. A number of gay priests shared their fears and their life journeys in a 2019 New York Times article.
“This developement is a big step forward. It clarifies previous ambiguous statements about gay seminary candidates, which viewed them with suspicion. This ambiguity caused lots of fear and discrimination in the church, way beyond the arena of seminary admissions.
This new clarification treats gay candidates in the same way that heterosexual candidates are treated. That type of equal treatment is what the Church should be aiming for in regards to all LGBTQ+ issues.”
In Frankenchurch, homopriests are welcomed while traditional priests are cancelled.
Frankie is only recruiting gay commies.
Homosexual desires are simply a cross they must bear, by repressing it, the same as heterosexual priests suppress their desires.
New Ways Ministry is incorrect because more than 80% of all priest sex abuse cases were homosexual. That is well-established fact.
Try telling that to all the young boys who have been abused by homosexual priests.
Homosexuals, aka sodomites, are “intrinsically disordered”.
“unsubstantiated claims that gay priests were responsible for the clergy sex abuse crisis.”
Disingenuous nonsense. Homosexual priests abusing their position to molest altar boys was virtually the entire scandal. A few aggressively “gay” specimens ended up casting the entire priesthood into disrepute. These SOB’s deserve their own very special corner of Hell.
“Provided they lead a celibate life, sexuality shouldn’t be an issue. ”
As the catechism makes clear
The problem, not addressed here, is that they cannot be in residence with other gays.
Would nuns be expected to live in the same buildings or to room with men, with seminarians or priests?
No. For obvious reasons
Priests are expected to be men. Not eunuchs or homosexuals.
They don’t grow up saying ‘I’m not attracted to women so I’ll become a priest
Anyone with the most curaory knowledge of the lives of the saints knows this
Among the many roles a priest takes on is leader of single people in celibacy. People are supposed to be celibate outside of marriage. Catholics are, in any case, the people priests lead
How are priests supposed to do that if they are not men who are celibate. And not homosexuals living with other homosexual men
Christians try to suppress their disordered desires to sin.
If a homosexual tries to suppress his desires (rather than celebrate them as a cause for Pride), then he should be given a chance.
Are you even a practicing Catholic?
“unsubstantiated claims that gay priests were responsible for the clergy sex abuse crisis.”
Catholics need leadership not such letigious bull s
Catholics attend mass at a very low in most of the western world. They live together outside of marriage. The divorce rate is ridiculous. They practice birth control (that includes abortion) At 90 % last I checked. These are mortal sins
Where is the priesthood on this?
And they’re arguing that they didn’t molest kids?
They have to explain tho God at one point. They’re not judged in the same way as some parentless addict struggling for direction long ago having given up
They’re judged as not only baptized Catholics who know better but as priests who are ordained to lead Catholics to heaven
“ If a homosexual tries to suppress his desires (rather than celebrate them as a cause for Pride), then he should be given a chance.”
According to the catechism any Catholic is directed to overcome sin not to try. Trying is not a word used in the catechism
Catholics can pretend they don’t know right from wrong. They have free choice. They have to pay the price
That said, a homosexual living with other homosexuals is like a celibate man living with women
Silly from the word ‘go’
Now that you mention it, here’s a story:
In grad school there was a guy who decided to drop university studies to become a priest.
So away to the Vatican he went.
About a year later I saw him at our university’s library and asked him why he came back.
“The homosexuality there was out of control” he said.
“Well you didn’t do that did you?” I asked.
He responded “If you hang around the barbershop long enough you’re going to get a haircut.”
True story.
Faggotry is a dangerous vile orientation for the most part. You do not want your impressionable children anywhere near them!
This might disappoint you, but yes, I am.
Go to mass every week.
Pray every day.
Read my Catholic Study Bibles (Navarre and Ignatius) every day.
Donate generously to dozens of Catholic associations (seminaries, convents, monestaries, local church and diocese, etc).
Do you have young children or grandchildren?
Do you worry about them with homosexual priests?
If not, you are putting them in jeopardy, both physically and spiritually.
The only thing that disappoints me is that you are supportive of homosexual men in the priesthood.
I hope all priests struggle with their desires, and make a sincere effort to remain celibate.
I doubt good, orthodox priests struggle with sinful desires as much as the sodomite priests.
Think of heterosexual men who do not marry until later in life. Do you think they were “struggling”?
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