Homosexuals in Priesthood

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NguyenKimPhat

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Dear Catholic Answers Forum,
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 My parish priest encouraged me to work and spend time within the catechism classes at my parish church which is also a catholic high school.  I was working one day in the parish office when a friend of mine asked me my opinion. He wondered if he could become a priest despite that fact that he was a homosexual.  I was working inside the parish office, and his question completely caught me off guard.  He then explained that, although he was homosexual, he practiced strict chastity in his abstinence and would never ever do any sinful sexual activity with another man. 

 I did not know how to respond to his question.  I don't even know the Church's official teaching on whether or not homosexuals can enter the priesthood.  What is the answer to his question?  Are there any official documents released by the Vatican that answers this question?
A second question that he asked me was about the screening process/application process to enter the seminary to become a priest. Within the screening process/application process into the seminary, will he have to undergo a psychological examination wherein he must reveal the fact that he is a homosexual?
 
NguyenKimPhat said:
Dear Catholic Answers Forum,
Code: 
 My parish priest encouraged me to work and spend time within the catechism classes at my parish church which is also a catholic high school.  I was working one day in the parish office when a friend of mine asked me my opinion. He wondered if he could become a priest despite that fact that he was a homosexual.  I was working inside the parish office, and his question completely caught me off guard.  He then explained that, although he was homosexual, he practiced strict chastity in his abstinence and would never ever do any sinful sexual activity with another man. 

 I did not know how to respond to his question.  I don't even know the Church's official teaching on whether or not homosexuals can enter the priesthood.  What is the answer to his question?  Are there any official documents released by the Vatican that answers this question?
A second question that he asked me was about the screening process/application process to enter the seminary to become a priest. Within the screening process/application process into the seminary, will he have to undergo a psychological examination wherein he must reveal the fact that he is a homosexual?
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As PhilotheaZ posted, there are some criteria for the discernment process. Since your friend identifies himself as “homosexual” that already raises a red flag in my mind. Maturity is something that they now consider, so it is difficult to assess your friend’s situation. If he realizes that he is a man who has same-sex attraction that is disordered, then he may be okay. If he thinks that some people are “homosexual” and others are “heterosexual” and that they are different classifications of men, then I think he has a poor understanding of human sexuality. This is just my opinion, not de fide teaching of the Church, but I believe that there is a spectrum of attraction - not black/white (i.e. hetero/homo) classification. As long as someone realizes that they have disordered desires, then they may be mature enough to handle a priestly role.
 
Within the psychological examination (a part of the application process) will my friend have to reveal the fact that he is a homosexual?

what exactly happens when the application process examined the person’s psyche?

My friend from the parish office feels deeply embarrassed about his sexuality and is afraid that the seminary might not accept him if they discover that he is a homosexual.
 
NguyenKimPhat said:
Within the psychological examination (a part of the application process) will my friend have to reveal the fact that he is a homosexual?
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Yes. I have a friend who entered the seminary and he informed me that there are questions like this during the application process and that one must be frank about their sexuality during formation. If a man identifies himself as a homosexual, that is a sign that he has §deep-seated tendencies§ which, since November 2005 has been ruled to exclude him from the priesthood. No exceptions! There are also questions like if a man has ever had sexual attractions towards children, then he cannot be admitted to the priesthood. Church authorities are taking every precaution to avoid ordaining any man with any kind of intrinsically disordered sexuality (even habits of pornography and masturbation). Too late for so many souls who have been scandalized. 😦
My friend from the parish office feels deeply embarrassed about his sexuality and is afraid that the seminary might not accept him if they discover that he is a homosexual.
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Your friend must seek spiritual counselling in this. There is the Courage apostolate, which I hear is excellent. Encourage him to seek help. Although he may not be ordained, he may use this as an opportunity to practice humility, the greatest aid to purity and chastity!
 
Neithan said:
Yes. I have a friend who entered the seminary and he informed me that there are questions like this during the application process and that one must be frank about their sexuality during formation. If a man identifies himself as a homosexual, that is a sign that he has §deep-seated tendencies§ which, since November 2005 has been ruled to exclude him from the priesthood. No exceptions! There are also questions like if a man has ever had sexual attractions towards children, then he cannot be admitted to the priesthood. Church authorities are taking every precaution to avoid ordaining any man with any kind of intrinsically disordered sexuality (even habits of pornography and masturbation). Too late for so many souls who have been scandalized. 😦

Your friend must seek spiritual counselling in this. There is the Courage apostolate, which I hear is excellent. Encourage him to seek help. Although he may not be ordained, he may use this as an opportunity to practice humility, the greatest aid to purity and chastity!
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Thank you soo much Neithan for your response.

But, I have been receiving mixed message; a previous replier said that there is a possibility that a homosexual can become a priest. But then you say for certain that under no circumstances can a homosexual become a priest (since 2005). I don’t know which answer to trust for 100% truth. Neithan, I must be sure before I can give this answer to my homosexual friend who is asking me to help him find the answer to his question. Neithan, can you please help me find an official church statement/document that says since 2005, homosexual men cannot enter the priesthood? Thank you soo much Neithan. God bless.
 
Homosexuality is NOT the same thing as pedophilia, though for too many people the distinction is much too subtle.
 
NguyenKimPhat said:
Thank you soo much Neithan for your response.

But, I have been receiving mixed message; a previous replier said that there is a possibility that a homosexual can become a priest. But then you say for certain that under no circumstances can a homosexual become a priest (since 2005). I don’t know which answer to trust for 100% truth. Neithan, I must be sure before I can give this answer to my homosexual friend who is asking me to help him find the answer to his question. Neithan, can you please help me find an official church statement/document that says since 2005, homosexual men cannot enter the priesthood? Thank you soo much Neithan. God bless.
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He’s referring to the already given document which says-
If a candidate practises homosexuality or presents deep-seated homosexual tendencies, his spiritual director as well as his confessor have the duty to dissuade him in conscience from proceeding towards ordination.
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It also mentions that the candidate must reveal such any tendencies and submit himself to the church for discernment. So no omitting or hiding .
 
dixibehr said:
Homosexuality is NOT the same thing as pedophilia, though for too many people the distinction is much too subtle.
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The studies by the church and in the reports released found the the majority of the acts commited by those priest were due to homosexuality and not pedophilia. This is the reason why the requirements and discernment process has become so strict.

Peace,
FAB
 
It is totally forbidden. Even the fact that a person is merely inclined or has tendencies towards such behavior is enough to bar them from the priesthood.
 
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