Homosexual Priests..

[prose]

Wasn't the announcement that men had to have been not active for 3 years and then they may enter? Or did I misunderstand?

[Cow of Shame]

that sounds like what I heard

[beatty07]

That was the rule when I entered four years ago, whether it was homosexual or heterosexual activity. This isn't new.

[djc08]

That's what I was told too beatty.

But what do they call active. Like not actually having relations with another person but I've always wondered if active also meant like masturbation with or without porn. Even though you shouldn't be doing that anyway but we were talking about this at school.

[beatty07]

I suppose there's some latitude for interpretation by seminary admissions boards. I think the standard generally used is sexual genital contact with another person. Masturbation in the last three years wouldn't exclude a man, unless there were aggravating psychological factors behind it. A porn addiction would probably qualify. However, if a man had used pornography some time ago but had repented, I don't think they'd insist on a three-year wait just for that. A lot would depend on relevant context.

That's just my guess.

[jezic]

well actually the document states 3 years before ordination to the diaconate.

It has always been though that a seminarian should not be sexually active in any way, shape, or form.

[prose]

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but then nothing really has changed, has it?

So why all the press??

[djc08]

[quote]I suppose there's some latitude for interpretation by seminary admissions boards. I think the standard generally used is sexual genital contact with another person. Masturbation in the last three years wouldn't exclude a man, unless there were aggravating psychological factors behind it. A porn addiction would probably qualify. However, if a man had used pornography some time ago but had repented, I don't think they'd insist on a three-year wait just for that. A lot would depend on relevant context.

That's just my guess.[/quote]

Thanks beatty.

[quote]So why all the press??[/quote]

Because they have nothing better to do. And the people of Protestant America like to hear the problems the Catholic Church is having.

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

i thought it was that you had to be cured of ur homosexuality for three years.

[Nathan]

"Cured"?

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

what?

[Carolou]

Priests are supposed to be celibate.....I thought... So how can they be titled as either of those?

Priests that act either way..I don't understand, because they're supposed to be celibate.

*sighs*

[beatty07]

It depends on how one is using the term "homosexual." If it refers to a man who experiences sexual attraction or temptation to other men, then that's what the document is talking about. The question is how to deal with a man who is living a chaste and celibate life, but whose attractions and temptations are homosexual.

Now the whole concept of chastity despite temptations is completely foreign and wierd to Sitcom-Land. So they think we're talking about men who commit sodomy. But that situation doesn't need to be talked about because it's so simple. No one who is sexually active with anyone is a candidate for ordination. Ever. If it's because they're married, they can apply after their spouse dies. If it's because they're fornicating, they can apply three years after amending their life if they have since lived in chastity.

That three-year thing is not canon law or anything, but I think it's generally observed. In our case it refers to three years before entering the major seminary. That would mean at least six years before deaconate ordination. College seminaries may well have lower standards, since there's so much formation time before ordination. I think the main idea is just to demonstrate that you're capable of long-term celibate life.

edit: (addition) I don't think the 3 year rule would be applied to a widower.

Edited December 17, 2005 by beatty07

[Carolou]

I don't understand why it should be anybodys business.....if a priest feels more temptations around a female or male? Isn't that between the priest and God? Because him doing something sexually with either would be a sin....

I feel confused. lol

[Fides_et_Ratio]

[quote name='Carolou' date='Dec 17 2005, 08:53 AM']I don't understand why it should be anybodys business.....if a priest feels more temptations around a female or male? Isn't that between the priest and God? Because him doing something sexually with either would be a sin....

I feel confused. lol
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because it's important to know the psychological mindset/stability of a would-be-priest... knowing more now would prevent further issues later on.

[Carolou]

[quote name='Fides_et_Ratio' date='Dec 17 2005, 09:56 AM']because it's important to know the psychological mindset/stability of a would-be-priest... knowing more now would prevent further issues later on.
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ohhh, thanks

[Nathan]

[quote name='Extra ecclesiam nulla salus' date='Dec 17 2005, 07:47 AM']what?
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I guess I just don't buy the whole "cured homosexual" thing. Anything is possible with God, yes, but I think such a case would be quite rare indeed.

[Aloysius]

whether or not such a case is rare is impossible to tell. I submit to you that anyone who was truly a "cured" homosexual would not identify themself as a "cured homosexual", because the whole problem probably escalated when they began allowing anything in that regard be part of their self-definition, and as such it would be just as bad to define themselves as ex-homosexual as it was to define themselves previously as homosexual.

but if by "cured" you mean-- no longer identifies themself as a homosexual, then yes. One cannot self-identify as a "gay man" and still be admitted to the priesthood, regardless of whether they intend to be celibate. That would constitute a grave misunderstanding of the nature of man which would make many problems for him.

But someone who has such attractions, so long as they are celibate for at least 3 years and do not identify themself as a homosexual, can be ordained a priest.

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

i don't believe that someone is born a homosexual. its a physchological problem. And i think that GOd can heal a person with this problem. From what i understand this is the traditional understanding of this problem.

[prose]

Not necessarily... I believe that there are both scenarios. I believe for some it is a hedonistic choice and for others it is a genetic problem. There are places within the Catholic Church that are accepting of Catholic gay people... For instance there are gay support groups for homosexuals that choose not to live what they feel are their sexual tendencis, rather they choose celibacy.

The catechism even insists that gays “must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.”

and Pope John Paul II said [quote]“Although the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil; thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder. Therefore special concern and pastoral attention should be directed to those who have this condition, lest they be led to believe that the living out of this orientation in homosexual activity is a morally acceptable option. It is not.”[/quote]

Nothing about it being a choice. The Church hasn't said whether they believe that it is nature or nurture.