homosexual priests and seminarians: your thoughts?

[PbloPicasso]

So I didn’t get through all pages of posts, but from what I did see nobody mentioned what the priesthood represents. It is a marriage between the man and the Church. The same type of marriage that Jesus has with the Church. Jesus is the bridegroom and the Church is the bride. Sooooo does that make sense that someone who is attracted to men would want to marry a female entity, which the Church is. I’m not saying this to bash anyone by the way, I’m just simply trying to be logical.

Well, aside from the fact that this thread has been resurrected over the past 2 years with huge gaps in between, explain the married priesthood looking only at the theology presented. Sure, it’s symbolic, not required other than discipline. Homosexual attraction is a serious problem from my own experience running from gay seminarians and priests so much that I ultimately found no support for my vocation in the diocese and ended up fleeing away from near occasion of sin that didn’t interest me anyway. Ultimately, I became a really hardened anti-Catholic fundamentalist (more like returning to my roots) . I am not alone and have found men like me that have returned home humbled by truth in history, not the inspiration of sinful clergy. Clergy abuse is nothing new, I’ve seen the same thing among fundamentalists. I would never trivialize adult homosexuality the way I’ve seen so many Catholics. A mortal sin will still produce hell for an unrepentant soul. But thankfully, I see much change since I’ve returned home to the Catholic Church.

Start a new thread.

 

[catholicboy123]

If God wanted us to be that way he would’ve made a man and a man/ woman and a woman. He mad a man and a woman. That is how it was and forever shall be. For the diviness of priesthood I do not believe they should be allowed.

 

[mangy_dog]

What about those who actually get ordained like Fr. Mychal?
Are they then disqualified or guilty of mortal sin/disobedience?
Were they “not ordained” in the first place?

Or is once ordained, ordained?

The Catholic church is clear on this and priests should know better than you and I what the pronouncement on this matter is. Some just like to push the envelope to see how much they can get away with or to experiment with the limits and gray areas of an issue.

Having homosexual tendencies or activity does not belong anywhere in the seminaries and even less in the priesthood.

What needs to be done to purge the priestly ranks of this evil…well, that’s in the realm of the Bishops and Cardinals and His Holiness the Pope. May the Holy Spirit guide them in their decisions.

 

[PbloPicasso]

What about those who actually get ordained like Fr. Mychal?
Are they then disqualified or guilty of mortal sin/disobedience?
Were they “not ordained” in the first place?

Or is once ordained, ordained?

Well, they may have lied to get ordained. It wouldn’t be the first time. Further, the bishops have the authority to pull the priests faculties which renders a priest for life without a place to practice his priesthood orders. But I “don’t ask don’t tell, runs in the Church as well”. It’s inappropriate to ask someone who is not practicing homosexuality if they are one way or the other. You don’t ask a man if he’s attracted to another man’s wife or another woman. It’s inappropriate. But that does not mean the priest doesn’t have to be concerned about his or other priests inclination to this particular same sex attraction that leads to sin. This is why it’s a delicate matter.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

So I didn’t get through all pages of posts, but from what I did see nobody mentioned what the priesthood represents. It is a marriage between the man and the Church.

While this may be a pious belief of people it is not the truth of the matter.

There is no martial language in the theology of the priesthood or in the ordination rite.

If it was true that the priest was married to the Church then how would you explain the ordination of married men to the priesthood in the Eastern Catholic Churches and those converts in the Roman Catholic Church?

 

[PattiDay]

While this may be a pious belief of people it is not the truth of the matter.

There is no martial language in the theology of the priesthood or in the ordination rite.

If it was true that the priest was married to the Church then how would you explain the ordination of married men to the priesthood in the Eastern Catholic Churches and those converts in the Roman Catholic Church?

Father John Corapi, SOLT, makes frequent reference to “My Bride the Church” in a number of programs shown on EWTN over the years. I’ve heard other priests use that same reference, although I cannot specifically recall names at the moment.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Father John Corapi, SOLT, makes frequent reference to “My Bride the Church” in a number of programs shown on EWTN over the years. I’ve heard other priests use that same reference, although I cannot specifically recall names at the moment.

As I said, it is a pious belief but it is not supported in the theology or the rite of ordination.

I would not use that language to describe my priesthood when I am ordained, God willing.

 

[Shoshana]

As I said, it is a pious belief but it is not supported in the theology or the rite of ordination.

I would not use that language to describe my priesthood when I am ordained, God willing.

God willing for sure, Bro! My prayers and thoughts are always with you. I have been accepted to visit a discalced carmelite secualr order in Buffalo at the monastery…Jan 15. God willling i will be accepted as a postulant (?)…

 

[Christopher_S_1]

Dear Friends,
I hope you read my story. I beleive I’m living proof that the homosexual lifestyle can certainly reverse its coarse. It did for me. The Divine Mercy of God has been good to me.
I no longer struggle with any temptations to that lifestyle.
As a Brother I continue to refer to myself as openly gay because I want other gay men and women see that it is not impossible.
You can see my story here. To this day people find it hard to believe. However as our faith tells us, all things are possible with God.
southpasadena.patch.com/blog_posts/patch-blog-from-the-gutter-to-grace

God bless,
Br. Christopher Sale B.P.P.

 

[atheistgirl]

Dear Friends,
I hope you read my story. I beleive I’m living proof that the homosexual lifestyle can certainly reverse its coarse. It did for me. The Divine Mercy of God has been good to me.
I no longer struggle with any temptations to that lifestyle.
As a Brother I continue to refer to myself as openly gay because I want other gay men and women see that it is not impossible.
You can see my story here. To this day people find it hard to believe. However as our faith tells us, all things are possible with God.
southpasadena.patch.com/blog_posts/patch-blog-from-the-gutter-to-grace

God bless,
Br. Christopher Sale B.P.P.

I’ve read your posts with interest.

I’m not sure why you go around calling yourself ‘‘Brother’’? I thought ‘‘Brother’’ was an official position within the Catholic Church and was a man who was part of a religious community and had taken vows.

From your posts, you don’t seem to meet those requirements.

Also, on the subject of the habit, the Catholic Encyclopedia says this:

*The Church insists on the use of a habit, by which the religious are distinguished from secular persons. A distinctive habit is always required for nuns; the clerical habit is sufficient for men. *

Since you are not a ‘‘religious’’ Brother, but rather a secular person, are you not concerned you are misleading people by walking around in a habit?

Sarah x

 

[WingsOfEagles]

No I don’t think homosexuals should be allowed into the priesthood. I think many homosexuals are very self-centered and focus so much on their homosexuality their agenda seeps into the church whether they do it conciously or unconciously. If you are a priest or religious, then you need to concentrate on God and what His will is first, foremost and always, not your “sexuality”.

For example if you keep saying why shouldn’t I be a priest because I am gay or bisexual, have you really thought that out? There are many people who can’t be priests for all sorts of reasons. You are focusing again on your sexuality being the first foremost and primary area of your life–I’m being discriminated again because of the way I am. But isn’t it better for the Church to have priests who will teach the Church’s TRUE teachings on SSA. Even if you had your feelings under control, would you ever speak out from the pulpit against homosexuality so your parish wouldn’t be led astray? Probably not. Do your homosexual tendenices lean toward liberal political beliefs which undermine your belief in the rest of Church teachings such as abortion?

This statement disturbs me actually. Not every homosexual person is self-centered and waving it in someone’s face. Some of them just have a tendency towards same-sex attraction. I would actually think the priesthood would be an ideal calling for a homosexual because he is required to live a chaste life and serve God. How are a homosexual’s attractions towards other men any more of a distraction for him than a heterosexual man’s attraction to women of the parish. I would argue that neither attraction is any more of a distraction.

 

[WingsOfEagles]

Any Christian homosexual I have ever known is against abortion.

 

[Christopher_S_1]

I realize it sounds complicated. However I recieved permission from the Holy Father and the local Cardinal. We are a lay group. We ask for permission to wear a habit. What people need to understand is that we are an independent lay order.

 

[atheistgirl]

What people need to understand is that we are an independent lay order.

But members of the public coming across you by chance wouldn’t know this and given the stereotype of the habit, would automatically assume you are a ‘‘religious’’ that has taken vows.

Do you make it clear to people when you talk to them you are not ordained, and have not completed any formal Church education and training? I hope so.

I guess if you have permission from the Church then that’s all you need worry about - it just doesn’t settle with me personally.

It’s kinda like a guy wearing a fake cops uniform and everyone thinking he’s a cop, and go to him for assistance.

I had a similar discussion with a guy on another forum - he calls himself a pastor and wears a badge saying Pastor. When I questioned him further it turns out he’s never even taken a class in theology, philosophy or anything else. He’s set up his own little Church and he ordained himself Pastor and claims this is like the early Church

I pointed out my concern to him if someone in hospital say, stopped him and started pouring their soul out to him - they wouldn’t do that to the guy at the food counter - they’re only talking to the guy because they think he is a Pastor, and they’re making assumptions about his training and education in pastoral care and spirituality and maybe even end of life care because they see a collar and a badge with the word Pastor on it.

I’m not suggesting for a moment you would not be up front with people, or that you are in any way not a good man, trying to do good in the world.

Just seems a bit, well, weird to me, to be wearing a habit, and it could, no, it would, will and does I have no doubt, mislead people initially when they see you.

Anyhow, just my personal take.

When there are so many actual Orders of Religious you could add your talents to, I’m not sure why you’re going it alone. I’m sure one of these orders Charisms would suit the work you want to do.

I hope you continue to do well and to do good.

Sarah x

 

[Ben_Quincy]

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