How Many Priests Experience Same Sex Attraction?

[Jesus_lol]

Considering gay priests would be allowed exactly as much sexual contact as straight priests would be(0%), i dont see exactly how that is a larger cross to bear. Lust is exactly as much of a problem for straight people as it is for gay people.

[CatherineM]

[quote name='MithLuin' timestamp='1296449752' post='2206928']
Based on documented cases, we're around 2%, both within the Catholic priesthood and within the general population. The difference being that some of the priests had many, many victims and it all came out at once.

That's for child/teen molestation. Statistics in this area are notoriously inaccurate, anyway.

As far as SSA goes, those statistics will vary regionally. Some seminaries were...well known...for catering to that lifestyle, so much so that straight men who were called to the priesthood did not follow through on their vocation because they couldn't put up with it. I could easily see someone in one of those dioceses reaching the conclusion that 50% of priests are gay....but it's simply not true across the board. As far as I know, those statistics are not available, but currently you do have to check off whether or not you are attracted to men or women on your application to seminary. So, someone could come up with a percentage of seminary applicants who admit to being homosexual, and a percentage of those admitted who had checked that box in recent years.

But to my knowledge, no one has done that study.

If you can't live celibately, you really aren't ready to apply for seminary.
[/quote]
I went to law school with a guy who had applied for the priesthood in the early 80's, and he said he was turned down because he was straight. At the time, I thought he was using that as an excuse because he got turned down for something else. It just didn't compute for me. Now, I understand. Our seminary actually makes the seminarians compete in intramural sports. Once a week it is hockey for the Canuks, and once a week soccer for the foreign seminarians. It reminded me of the way seminary was described to me by an older priest who went in the 1950's. He said it was a very male culture with lots of pick up football and baseball games. I don't know when it changed, but at least here, it has changed back.

[CatherineM]

[quote name='Jesus_lol' timestamp='1296523284' post='2207253']
Considering gay priests would be allowed exactly as much sexual contact as straight priests would be(0%), i dont see exactly how that is a larger cross to bear. Lust is exactly as much of a problem for straight people as it is for gay people.
[/quote]
Jack Lemon made a movie in the 80's called Mass Appeal that dealt with that exact issue.

[infinitelord1]

[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1296524106' post='2207261']
I went to law school with a guy who had applied for the priesthood in the early 80's, and he said he was turned down because he was straight. At the time, I thought he was using that as an excuse because he got turned down for something else. It just didn't compute for me. Now, I understand. Our seminary actually makes the seminarians compete in intramural sports. Once a week it is hockey for the Canuks, and once a week soccer for the foreign seminarians. It reminded me of the way seminary was described to me by an older priest who went in the 1950's. He said it was a very male culture with lots of pick up football and baseball games. I don't know when it changed, but at least here, it has changed back.
[/quote]


Are you suggesting that, because it is intramural, a bunch of people who aren't confident in their sexual identities are playing sports with each other? It was designed this way (Intramurally) intentionally for this reason? I guess im just struggling with why you mentioned the sports part.

[Tally Marx]

I highly suggest the book "The New Anti-Catholicism: the Last Acceptable Prejudice" by Philip Jenkins.
There is an entire chapter concerning the "Pedophile Priest".

[CatherineM]

[quote name='infinitelord1' timestamp='1296529993' post='2207290']
Are you suggesting that, because it is intramural, a bunch of people who aren't confident in their sexual identities are playing sports with each other? It was designed this way (Intramurally) intentionally for this reason? I guess im just struggling with why you mentioned the sports part.
[/quote]
The sports are actually part of the formation process at our seminary. It is partially to help them develop an active social life. It is part of trying to make the seminary a masculine atmosphere. For those who just aren't athletically inclined, they do badminton on Wednesday nights, and have a fitness room too. It's also important to emphasize fitness in priests because of the stress their jobs will entail, and sometimes bad eating habits they get because of the crazy hours they will work.

[MissScripture]

[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1296534663' post='2207303']
The sports are actually part of the formation process at our seminary. It is partially to help them develop an active social life. It is part of trying to make the seminary a masculine atmosphere. For those who just aren't athletically inclined, they do badminton on Wednesday nights, and have a fitness room too. It's also important to emphasize fitness in priests because of the stress their jobs will entail, and [b]sometimes bad eating habits they get because of the crazy hours they will work.[/b]
[/quote]
And cooking for one person is really annoying...

[Jesus_lol]

[quote name='MissScripture' timestamp='1296610820' post='2207612']
And cooking for one person is really annoying...
[/quote]


Not when you eat enough for 2 peeps just to maintain your weight

[MissScripture]

[quote name='Jesus_lol' timestamp='1296611825' post='2207619']
Not when you eat enough for 2 peeps just to maintain your weight
[/quote]
Well, now that my heart isn't working overtime 24/7, I actually have to pay attention to what I eat.

[MissyP89]

I like JLo's point -- temptation is temptation no matter what it is. Would it be a bigger cross for gay men? Yes. But I think it needs to be a case-by-case scenario. If they're stable, healthy, and accountable to someone else on a regular basis, I see no problem with it.