Here goes another priest who revealed he's gay

[goofyjim]

I feel left out. Nobody ever responds to my posts even though I try to bring balance to the conversation. While there may be no conclusive evidence that one is born with same sex attraction there is no evidence that they are not. We have yet to determine that. My personal experience is that I dealt with and to a small degree still deal with the attraction. Not that it would interfere with my ability to have normal relations with the opposite sex but it is there. I certainly did not choose this and I didn’t come from some totally dysfunctional family. So maybe I am proof that one is born that way. Yet I freely chose never to act on it.

What bothers me is that noone wants to hear the experience of what those like myself go through. I live with derogatory remarks from both sides of the issue actually and this makes life extremely difficult. I do not define myself as gay but should not be required to lie and say I have never struggled and should not be ashamed of having to struggle. I for one will not leave the Church for any reason. I am a sinner but this is a Church of sinners which makes me feel right at home.

 

[Libero]

Hey Goofyjim,

I was going to reply but really didn’t know what to say, I was thinking along the lines of “good post” but thought that was slightly pointless.

What bothers me is that noone wants to hear the experience of what those like myself go through. I live with derogatory remarks from both sides of the issue actually and this makes life extremely difficult. I do not define myself as gay but should not be required to lie and say I have never struggled and should not be ashamed of having to struggle. I for one will not leave the Church for any reason. I am a sinner but this is a Church of sinners which makes me feel right at home.

I have seen you post on numerous other threads. Can you in anyway relate to what this priest has to say, and would you feel insulted if you were a priest being forced to give up your post because of a matter that you cannot change, and also have never contradicted church teaching? You should not leave the church.

 

[goofyjim]

Libero:

Hey Goofyjim,

I was going to reply but really didn’t know what to say, I was thinking along the lines of “good post” but thought that was slightly pointless.

I have seen you post on numerous other threads. Can you in anyway relate to what this priest has to say, and would you feel insulted if you were a priest being forced to give up your post because of a matter that you cannot change, and also have never contradicted church teaching? You should not leave the church.

If I knew it was something I could not change, yes I would feel insulted so I can sympathize there. OTOH, a priest as well as all Catholics are vowed to obedience. I would have met with the bishop adn other counselors on what to do. I have no desire to bring further scandal to the Church. But we must not brush this whole issue of homosexual orientation under the carpet as though it will go away. Otherwise the very people who need the support of the group Courage will never get it. And there are some misconceptions from the conservative side on the purpose of Courage. It is not an organization that requires its members to change their sexual orientation because, as I stated even the experts in change agree that only a third are successful.

 

[Libero]

If I knew it was something I could not change, yes I would feel insulted so I can sympathize there. OTOH, a priest as well as all Catholics are vowed to obedience. I would have met with the bishop adn other counselors on what to do. I have no desire to bring further scandal to the Church. But we must not brush this whole issue of homosexual orientation under the carpet as though it will go away. Otherwise the very people who need the support of the group Courage will never get it. And there are some misconceptions from the conservative side on the purpose of Courage. It is not an organization that requires its members to change their sexual orientation because, as I stated even the experts in change agree that only a third are successful.

Do you think it is always right to try and change ones psychology. Particularly when the only reason for doing so is because God does not like the flaw in his creation?

 

[goofyjim]

Libero:

Do you think it is always right to try and change ones psychology. Particularly when the only reason for doing so is because God does not like the flaw in his creation?

Since God cannot change it is up to us to do so. But we must change only what we feel capable of changing. Trust in God to purge the rest away. He will let us know. I have had much interior peace because I ignore most of the stuff that comes at me. I live chastely, obedient to the Church, and thanks to God’s will have been mildly poor my whole life.

 

[Libero]

Since God cannot change it is up to us to do so. But we must change only what we feel capable of changing. Trust in God to purge the rest away. He will let us know. I have had much interior peace because I ignore most of the stuff that comes at me. I live chastely, obedient to the Church, and thanks to God’s will have been mildly poor my whole life.

So it really depends on what you feel you are suposed to do? Have you tried to get help from NARTH?

 

[goofyjim]

Libero:

So it really depends on what you feel you are suposed to do? Have you tried to get help from NARTH?

I have not the financial means, otherwise I would love to do so. I have had to rely on deciphering the best of what regular psychiatrists have told me and a good spiritual director.