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Zaccheus
Guest
I was expressing doubt.
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1neophyte
Guest
More naiveté than doubt. All of those other types of students typically have far more sexual experience than seminarians. It’s not a fair comparison.BlackFriar:
I was expressing doubt.
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Oneofthewomen
Guest
I recently watched the movie “Spotlight” about the Boston Globe exposing the sex scandal in Massachuettes.
I have also talked with priests and Bishops about the scandal here in the US.
Arrested sexual development was a concern in the 60’s & 70’s, which is part of the reason for reforms in seminary education and the disappearance of seminary-style high schools.
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FollowChrist34
Guest
I am not clear - why not say you have SSA? I would much rather hear that than false claims of heterosexuality. It sets up kind of a barrier doesn’t it - lies - in terms of trust between priest and parishioner? Or am I asking too much.
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BlackFriar
Guest
Yes that would seem to be a reasonable view.
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BlackFriar
Guest
Thankyou for the movie reference here. I have never mentioned my own reflections on the experience before and had not realised it is a documented phenomenon.
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JoshuaIsLord
Guest
I have a very close friends that we dine with after Mass every Saturday. There son is a seminarian. He has started his third year. He has been asked 3 times already, if he is gay. After the Cardinal Shaw incident, the priesthood does not want the liability of having gays in their ranks. If you answer yes you will be removed from Seminary or if you are perceived have homosexual traits, you will not be recommended to the Priesthood in your 8th year. This has been explained 3 times to our friends son at Seminary. He in turn has parted this information to us while having dinner with us when he has been home from his studies. He is currently at the Vatican doing a semester there.
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BlackFriar
Guest
The difficulty for the younger vocations will be unconscious ssa. Perhaps this phenomenon belongs largely to the days of the conveyor belt seminary type secondary schools. I am aware of a number of priest associates in their mid 50s who only realised they were gay well after ordination. Only at this age had they come to grips with the reality and were able to confide.
Obviously not all made it that far, or those that did not all managed the crisis successfully.
I have nothing but respect for most of those that did.
Obviously not all made it that far, or those that did not all managed the crisis successfully.
I have nothing but respect for most of those that did.
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Oneofthewomen
Guest
I recommend the movie. It is very sad, borderline disturbing and It does not paint the Church in a very good light, but it gives some insight into the how/why the scandal went on so long.
What many people do not understand or want to even acknowledge is that up until the 1980’s prevailing wisdom was that abusers could be rehabilitated. Bishops and Superiors thought they were doing the right thing because that is what they were being told.
It does not excuse anything, however, it is a very good reminder that we can not look at the past and make a judgment based on what we know now.
What many people do not understand or want to even acknowledge is that up until the 1980’s prevailing wisdom was that abusers could be rehabilitated. Bishops and Superiors thought they were doing the right thing because that is what they were being told.
It does not excuse anything, however, it is a very good reminder that we can not look at the past and make a judgment based on what we know now.
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pianistclare
Guest
Yeah, but we have seen here on CAF, MANY many posters who encourage kids who can’t seem to figure out girls, are clueless about dating or relationship “YOU SHOULD BECOME A PRIEST!!!”
People, in their zeal to encourage vocations, often encourage those who are ill-suited or not really ready to commit to ANYTHING, much less seminary and priesthood when they find out they are socially awkward.
It seems like an “option” for some people to recommend.
It’s not.
No one says to a person who is squeamish “You should be a surgeon!”
Why would anyone suggest the priesthood to a loner, who feel sex is disgusting or has no relationships outside of their basement that the priesthood might be for them??? They have to interact with couples, singles striving to stay pure, children, divorced Catholics, all kinds of people. If your own life is confusing, why send them to seminary to be further confused?
When young men ask me if I think they should enter the seminary, I refer them to the Vocations Director, the Rector, or prayer. It’s not my call. Once accepted I can certainly pray and support them, but I would never presume to know what God has not even called them to.
People, in their zeal to encourage vocations, often encourage those who are ill-suited or not really ready to commit to ANYTHING, much less seminary and priesthood when they find out they are socially awkward.
It seems like an “option” for some people to recommend.
It’s not.
No one says to a person who is squeamish “You should be a surgeon!”
Why would anyone suggest the priesthood to a loner, who feel sex is disgusting or has no relationships outside of their basement that the priesthood might be for them??? They have to interact with couples, singles striving to stay pure, children, divorced Catholics, all kinds of people. If your own life is confusing, why send them to seminary to be further confused?
When young men ask me if I think they should enter the seminary, I refer them to the Vocations Director, the Rector, or prayer. It’s not my call. Once accepted I can certainly pray and support them, but I would never presume to know what God has not even called them to.
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JoshuaIsLord
Guest
Bloody Hell that was funny…
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