CatherineM Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 More than we should, but not as many as people assume.
infinitelord1 Posted January 30, 2011 Author Posted January 30, 2011 I'm reading things saying that as high as 50% U.S. Priests.
AudreyGrace Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='infinitelord1' timestamp='1296362782' post='2206608'] I'm reading things saying that as high as 50% U.S. Priests. [/quote] that's definitely false.
ThePenciledOne Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 I saw the title of this thread and my first thought was... Dumb.
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='infinitelord1' timestamp='1296358782' post='2206589'] Do we know? [/quote] I don't understand why it matters if a priest experiences same sex attractions. It would seem that while in seminary, all men have to learn to deal with their sexual attractions and understand how the desires that are natural to the human person fit in with the priestly vocation God has given them. This is true of men who experience same sex attraction as well as opposite sex attraction. So why does it matter which one they experience? We should pray for our priests anyway. I do not see how this has any bearing on anything.
ThePenciledOne Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam' timestamp='1296373782' post='2206644'] I don't understand why it matters if a priest experiences same sex attractions. It would seem that while in seminary, all men have to learn to deal with their sexual attractions and understand how the desires that are natural to the human person fit in with the priestly vocation God has given them. This is true of men who experience same sex attraction as well as opposite sex attraction. So why does it matter which one they experience? We should pray for our priests anyway. I do not see how this has any bearing on anything. [/quote] Thank you for saying this. It's exactly what I thought as well. It's basically analagous to asking if a doctor, college student, proffessor if they experience same sex attractions. Entirely Irrelevant.
Nihil Obstat Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam' timestamp='1296373782' post='2206644'] I don't understand why it matters if a priest experiences same sex attractions. It would seem that while in seminary, all men have to learn to deal with their sexual attractions and understand how the desires that are natural to the human person fit in with the priestly vocation God has given them. This is true of men who experience same sex attraction as well as opposite sex attraction. So why does it matter which one they experience? We should pray for our priests anyway. I do not see how this has any bearing on anything. [/quote] Being a disordered inclination, I think it's reasonable to imagine that SSA is more onerous on the individual, and considering that the individual is already in a place of moral authority, I believe their cross will be heavier than we might otherwise assume.
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1296405433' post='2206703'] Being a disordered inclination, I think it's reasonable to imagine that SSA is more onerous on the individual, and considering that the individual is already in a place of moral authority, I believe their cross will be heavier than we might otherwise assume. [/quote] It would seem that all sexual attraction, having the same force within the body, would be a cross for all priests. However, being around mostly men in seminary and the like I can also see how it would be a heavier cross to bear for them. All that being said, the question should at best be responded to with a call to prayer for our priests and for those charged with the prudent care and counseling of our seminarians and future priests.
infinitelord1 Posted January 30, 2011 Author Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam' timestamp='1296373782' post='2206644'] I don't understand why it matters if a priest experiences same sex attractions. It would seem that while in seminary, all men have to learn to deal with their sexual attractions and understand how the desires that are natural to the human person fit in with the priestly vocation God has given them. This is true of men who experience same sex attraction as well as opposite sex attraction. So why does it matter which one they experience? We should pray for our priests anyway. I do not see how this has any bearing on anything. [/quote] The reason why I asked is because I was reading things that were saying that as many as 50% of U.S. priests have same sex attraction. Plus, issues like these may cause many people to reject the Catholic Faith. Yeah I know, it sounds rediculous. But there are many people out there who would use things like this to not only reject but to attack Catholicism. Do I believe that it matters whether or not a Priest has Same Sex Attraction? Not at all. Jesus Christ came so that all of Mankind can come to know him.
infinitelord1 Posted January 30, 2011 Author Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1296405433' post='2206703'] Being a disordered inclination, I think it's reasonable to imagine that SSA is more onerous on the individual, and considering that the individual is already in a place of moral authority, I believe their cross will be heavier than we might otherwise assume. [/quote] Yeah I agree. Didn't the Catholic Church release a document to the Public saying that homosexual desire is not a calling from God to become a Priest? Since there were many people who believed because they were SSA+ that they should become Priests? And no. I am in no way implying that people who are SSA+ should not pursue a position within the Church.
Nihil Obstat Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 Just for further reference: [url="http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccatheduc/documents/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_20051104_istruzione_en.html"]http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccatheduc/documents/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_20051104_istruzione_en.html[/url] In the light of such teaching, this Dicastery, in accord with the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, believes it necessary to state clearly that the Church, while profoundly respecting the persons in question[9], cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practise homosexuality, present [b]deep-seated homosexual tendencies[/b] or support the so-called "gay culture"[10].
infinitelord1 Posted January 30, 2011 Author Posted January 30, 2011 (edited) [quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1296428387' post='2206805'] Just for further reference: [url="http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccatheduc/documents/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_20051104_istruzione_en.html"]http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccatheduc/documents/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_20051104_istruzione_en.html[/url] In the light of such teaching, this Dicastery, in accord with the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, believes it necessary to state clearly that the Church, while profoundly respecting the persons in question[9], cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practise homosexuality, present [b]deep-seated homosexual tendencies[/b] or support the so-called "gay culture"[10]. [/quote] I had no idea that it is required for someone to overcome their same sex tendencies 3 years prior to ordination. I have seen documentaries on a few priests who supported gay agenda and openly proclaimed that they were "gay". Do these Priests get removed from the Priesthood? Edited January 30, 2011 by infinitelord1
Nihil Obstat Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='infinitelord1' timestamp='1296428849' post='2206813'] I had no idea that it is required for someone to overcome their same sex tendencies 3 years prior to ordination. [/quote] There's obviously some room for interpreting what "deep-seated" is supposed to mean, but the concept is pretty clear at the moment. Serious SSA would be a very obvious impediment to being able to function as a priest.
infinitelord1 Posted January 30, 2011 Author Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='ThePenciledOne' timestamp='1296371333' post='2206626'] I saw the title of this thread and my first thought was... Dumb. [/quote] Sorry that this thread caused you to think this. I, however, do not see this as a dumb question. Do I think it invalidates an individual's Priesthood in any kind of way? Not at all. I don't see it as an issue that should be ignored though.
AudreyGrace Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='infinitelord1' timestamp='1296429184' post='2206816'] Sorry that this thread caused you to think this. I, however, do not see this as a dumb question. Do I think it invalidates an individual's Priesthood in any kind of way? Not at all. I don't see it as an issue that should be ignored though. [/quote] In that case, we should not ignore, but recognize, the "issue" of men who stifle same sex attraction within their lives and careers, such as lawyers, doctors, authors, construction workers, accountants, tacos, so very tasty and good for you,...... Which is unnecessary, irrelevant, and neither hurts nor harms anyone.
infinitelord1 Posted January 30, 2011 Author Posted January 30, 2011 [quote name='AudreyGrace' timestamp='1296431371' post='2206829'] In that case, we should not ignore, but recognize, the "issue" of men who stifle same sex attraction within their lives and careers, such as lawyers, doctors, authors, construction workers, accountants, tacos, so very tasty and good for you,, so very tasty and good for you,...... Which is unnecessary, irrelevant, and neither hurts nor harms anyone. [/quote] I agree with you. Unfortunately there are individuals (probably the same ones who are out to attack the Church) who want to link Same Sex Attraction to Child Molestation. Do you see where I am going with this? The truth is that these Child Molesters exist in every culture, deity, profession, country, etc. But a lot of people just love to slander the Pillar and Foundation of Truth when it happens within the Church. I made this thread to see if anyone had any definitive information on Priest Same Sex Attraction for the Purpose of defending the Church. That way if someone ever came to me asking me why the heck im Catholic when 50% of the Priests are "Gay"...I could respond by saying...no actually, based on evidence, only ______% of Priests experience Same Sex Attraction. And individuals who experience Same Sex Attraction exist everywhere. Call me Dumb, but thats just the type of person I am. I like to be able to back a claim based on facts. That way people can not distort the truth with biased opinion.
Nihil Obstat Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 [quote name='AudreyGrace' timestamp='1296431371' post='2206829'] In that case, we should not ignore, but recognize, the "issue" of men who stifle same sex attraction within their lives and careers, such as lawyers, doctors, authors, construction workers, accountants, tacos, so very tasty and good for you,, so very tasty and good for you,...... Which is unnecessary, irrelevant, and neither hurts nor harms anyone. [/quote] It is relevant, as the document I provided explains in a great deal of clarity.
AudreyGrace Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 I agree that it would be amesome to know a percentage for the sake of letting others know the truth when they try to say that 99% of priests are gay. The link between homosexuality and child molestation is understandable, so I can see it's importance there. What we do know however, is that more non-Catholic Christian ministers and pastors have been found guilty of child molestation than Catholic clergy. I guess I feel that if a priest, doctor, lawyer, anyone is homosexual and picks up their cross and gives it up to God, does not flaunt their homosexuality, then what business of ours is it? I've met a number of good Catholic people who are homosexual but realize they must live with it and not act on it. Do I think it's ideal for priests to be gay? No. But if they stay true to the Catholic teachings of homosexuality and do not profess their own, I don't know where the harm is in that. Especially if the priest is using his cross to get closer to God.
infinitelord1 Posted January 31, 2011 Author Posted January 31, 2011 [quote name='AudreyGrace' timestamp='1296442775' post='2206898'] I agree that it would be amesome to know a percentage for the sake of letting others know the truth when they try to say that 99% of priests are gay. The link between homosexuality and child molestation is understandable, so I can see it's importance there. What we do know however, is that more non-Catholic Christian ministers and pastors have been found guilty of child molestation than Catholic clergy. I guess I feel that if a priest, doctor, lawyer, anyone is homosexual and picks up their cross and gives it up to God, does not flaunt their homosexuality, then what business of ours is it? I've met a number of good Catholic people who are homosexual but realize they must live with it and not act on it. Do I think it's ideal for priests to be gay? No. But if they stay true to the Catholic teachings of homosexuality and do not profess their own, I don't know where the harm is in that. Especially if the priest is using his cross to get closer to God. [/quote] How do we know that there are more Non-Catholic Christian ministers and pastors have been found guilty of child molestation than Catholic clergy?
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