Why?

[CeeBee]

Why is it that homosexuals may not become priests? Everyone sins. If all sinners are to b barred from the priesthood, then there will be no priests, except the Highest Priest, Our Lord Jesus Christ! I used to think about being a priest, but, being bisexual, I don't know if I would even be able to!

 

[Mysterium_Fidei]

I don't care if you're straight, gay, bi, or anything. You're called to chastity. Everyone is. This isn't directed at you, either, but everyone.

Yeah, people sin. That doesn't mean we're not called be a holy people. No priest, no matter what his inclination, is allowed to live an unchaste life. And no Christian, for that matter.

 

[CeeBee]

I'm not saying an actively gay priest. I mean a celibate one, of course! Sorry, if I didn't make that clear.

 

[OnTheWay]

I believe the issue is that when one is in such a disordered state it is difficult to be an effective shepard for a flock.

 

[CeeBee]

OnTheWay: *sniffsniff* So I wouldn't be a good shepherd? If that is the case, then I mean people that struggle with any mortal sin should be excluded. All people who struggle with substance abuse, or cursing, or smoking, or over-indulgence of food or alcohol, or lying, or anything else, should be excluded, cuz that prevents them from being a shepherd. (and im sorry if all of those arent mortal sins)

 

[poppinskw]

I may be wrong in this, and I am sure someone will come up with the right answer if I am

But I thought if a man considered himself homosexual, but lived a celibate lifestyle and had been for some years, and was commited to staying celibate then he could be ordained as a priest. But a homosexual man that was unstable in morality then he would not be accepted as a priest.

 

[FullyMT]

The Church allows people with homosexual orientations to become priests, so long as they act (basically) just like every other priest (chaste, etc). They should probably keep their orientation to themselves and a few close friends, so as not to cause some sort of scandal (I can only imagine how quickly someone would make an accusation )

 

[Psalms91]

I may be wrong in this, and I am sure someone will come up with the right answer if I am

But I thought if a man considered himself homosexual, but lived a celibate lifestyle and had been for some years, and was commited to staying celibate then he could be ordained as a priest. But a homosexual man that was unstable in morality then he would not be accepted as a priest.

that is my understanding as well.

 

[redMountian]

It seems that the Vatican's big issue with gay priests is that they'd condone or even participate in the "gay lifestyle". I think the latest vatican document says that if a man has been celibate and not involved in that way of life for 2 years previous, he may enter seminary and become a priest. So, as long as you abide by Church teachings on homosexuality, you can become a priest.

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

I may be wrong in this, and I am sure someone will come up with the right answer if I am

But I thought if a man considered himself homosexual, but lived a celibate lifestyle and had been for some years, and was commited to staying celibate then he could be ordained as a priest. But a homosexual man that was unstable in morality then he would not be accepted as a priest.

It depends on how the local bishop interprets the document released last December. Some interpret it as a strict ban on anyone with sexual attraction for men while others interpret it as a ban on those who will have problems with celibacy.

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

I believe the issue is that when one is in such a disordered state it is difficult to be an effective shepard for a flock.

I don't see why being a pastor would be particularly difficult for a celibate homosexual man other than the possible negative response from some parishioners if they find out.

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

It seems that the Vatican's big issue with gay priests is that they'd condone or even participate in the "gay lifestyle". I think the latest vatican document says that if a man has been celibate and not involved in that way of life for 2 years previous, he may enter seminary and become a priest. So, as long as you abide by Church teachings on homosexuality, you can become a priest.

I read the recent document a little differently than most here, but it uses some phrases whose meaning is ambiguous.

 

[CeeBee]

Ohhhh ok. I thought even celibate homosexuals who would stay chaste were banned. Ok, this whole thread shouldn't have been created, it was just a misunderstanding. Now my gay Catholic friend and myself can stop arguing (he's much more liberal and when the Church is brought up he launches this in a negative way of course).

 

[Miss Shelby]

It depends on how the local bishop interprets the document released last December. Some interpret it as a strict ban on anyone with sexual attraction for men while others interpret it as a ban on those who will have problems with celibacy.

Is there a correct/incorrect way to interpret the document? I am not asking to be antagonizing, it's a sincere question. It shouldn't be open to interpretation should it? Either it means one thing or it doesn't, but it shouldn't say one thing and mean another. How do things like this get clarified? If some of the wording is ambiguous, shouldn't the bishops ask for clarification rather than taking it as license for wiggle room or no wiggle room?

If one bishop says one thing and another bishop says something else, how can they both be right?

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

Is there a correct/incorrect way to interpret the document? I am not asking to be antagonizing, it's a sincere question. It shouldn't be open to interpretation should it? Either it means one thing or it doesn't, but it shouldn't say one thing and mean another. How do things like this get clarified? If some of the wording is ambiguous, shouldn't the bishops ask for clarification rather than taking it as license for wiggle room or no wiggle room?

If one bishop says one thing and another bishop says something else, how can they both be right?

The Vatican may have intended for there to be some ambiguity. It certainly could have chosen language that was clearer. It would probably have been better for them to not have released it in its current form, considering the amount of confusion it has caused.

 

[QuantaCura]

Around the turn of the millenium (1000s) there was a similar problem with sodomizing priests. St. Peter Damian wrote to the pope and wanted all such priests to be banned, but Pope St. Leo IX allowed them to become or remain priests if they had demonstrated for a period of time that they could be chaste and they had properly repented and atoned for their sins. That policy worked then and is basically the same policy that has been adopted again now.

 

[Maynard Keenan]

As long as someone is not sinning, their temptations should have no relevance on their worthiness to be a priest.

 

[Cosmic Charlie]

I believe the issue is that when one is in such a disordered state it is difficult to be an effective shepard for a flock.

Unfortunately that describes about half the priests I've met.

 

[CeeBee]

Hmmm, so actually some bishops could ban celibate/chaste homosexuals if they interpret it that way? That sux... I wonder wut the bishop of the archdiocese of New Orleans says. Hmmm. I THINK that's my archdiocese. Is Baton Rouge an archdiocese? Cuz I don't know...

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

Hmmm, so actually some bishops could ban celibate/chaste homosexuals if they interpret it that way? That sux...

Bishops have a lot of freedom in determining who to ordain. Some bishops barred chaste, celibate homosexuals before the document came out.

I wonder wut the bishop of the archdiocese of New Orleans says. Hmmm. I THINK that's my archdiocese. Is Baton Rouge an archdiocese? Cuz I don't know...

Baton Rouge is a dicocese.

I don't think the metropolitan bishop has any control of seminary policies outside his own diocese.