I would say that praying for the burden to be lifted (whether through miracle or otherwise) is a good thing - but you are correct, I think, that a special focus of the prayer should also be directed at asking for the graces to combat the temptation, if it is not to be lifted, since we all are tempted, and we are to expect temptation - we are supposed to combat it. If there wasn’t any temptation, you’d already be in heaven, essentially.
As far as I know only the Lord knows whether or not He wants to remove the homosexual tendencies from the person or just to give him the strength to resist the temptation of same sex attractions. In either situation the gay person and others who want to help him can pray for God’s will-whether it’s a cure for a same-sex attraction or the strength to resist such attractions when they occur.
shrug:She didn’t like my asking, but her kids ran up to the door of the front desk and got in my way,) And I also need help in controlling my eating habits or getting rid of the sugar in my diet. It makes me tired and gain weight.What does “opening living in a lesbian relationship” mean? Is it that two woman who have known each other for years are living in the same house? That does not a lesbian relationship make.
That is very true and the reason the Vatican has said that men with a homosexual tendency should not be ordained.
The example I gave was intended to frame the question. I intentionally decided not to go into a lot of detail about the women in the example. If you think the example was bad. Please feel free to ignore it. I had no intention of creating the atmosphere of the tabloid gauntlet at the grocery store check out stand. The women that I spoke of are personal friends and I would never wish ill for either of them. In fact they have been in my prayers for all the time I have known them. I would love to see them with the light of Christ in their eyes, walking the streets of gold some day.
As a gay Catholic, I disagree with the Vatican’s policy of banning homosexually oriented men from the priesthood. I think they should be evaluated and approved based on their loyalty to the faith and strong moral character, not on their sexual orientation. For many years I wondered if God was calling me to the priesthood and spent some time living in the same house with several priests and other discerning young men without any problems. Honestly, I didn’t experience any more temptation than I would otherwise normally experience. I wasn’t there to find a boyfriend. I was there seeking God’s will. The sexual appeal of the men I was living with was the furthest thing from my mind. I’m not going to pretend I didn’t notice
, but it wasn’t an issue. Now for other men, it may not be that easy and they might have serious problems. Again, that’s why I think it should be evaluated on a case by case basis and not generalized.Ryan, I applaud you for your strength of character. I will be praying for you and your discernment process.As a gay Catholic, I disagree with the Vatican’s policy of banning homosexually oriented men from the priesthood. I think they should be evaluated and approved based on their loyalty to the faith and strong moral character, not on their sexual orientation. For many years I wondered if God was calling me to the priesthood and spent some time living in the same house with several priests and other discerning young men without any problems. Honestly, I didn’t experience any more temptation than I would otherwise normally experience. I wasn’t there to find a boyfriend. I was there seeking God’s will. The sexual appeal of the men I was living with was the furthest thing from my mind. I’m not going to pretend I didn’t notice
Thank you for your prayers!
The fact is there are many gay men who are faithful, orthodox priests. To group all gay priests, or all GLBT folks for that matter, with what you see in the media is completely inaccurate.
Ryan women can’t be preists either…As a gay Catholic, I disagree with the Vatican’s policy of banning homosexually oriented men from the priesthood. I think they should be evaluated and approved based on their loyalty to the faith and strong moral character, not on their sexual orientation. For many years I wondered if God was calling me to the priesthood and spent some time living in the same house with several priests and other discerning young men without any problems. Honestly, I didn’t experience any more temptation than I would otherwise normally experience. I wasn’t there to find a boyfriend. I was there seeking God’s will. The sexual appeal of the men I was living with was the furthest thing from my mind. I’m not going to pretend I didn’t notice
Thank you for your thoughts, redrosetea.
You are a good person to do this…Think about St Francis and how he started a new order and saved our faith
Ryan, I like Red Rose Tea’s suggestion. I’ve heard and read that we baptised Catholics are all a part of the “priesthood” of believers. We all have our special positions on God’s Team. In fact my FSSP priest told this priesthood of believers at the breakfast after Mass when I asked him about what we lay people can do during the “Year of the Priest.”
I hate to admit I have yet to read through the mess of commentaries and references. I would like to bring to attention there is no such thing as an individual being “gay” but one who commits homosexual actions or “gay” actions if you perfer it spoken that way. A priest is allowed homosexual inclinations so long as they resist and prevent any actions by it; as all humans are subject to resist temptation of any form. If you fail to resist then confess and repent. God loves and so must we all or face our own sin of being false to our own profession of Faith. If you want to do anything you may. “Homosexuality” should not prevent you from priesthood or ministryhood, but committing a gay action is as bad as fornification for it goes against’s God’s own design and nature, But Christ’s mercy in confession will wipe away the stains of homosexuality day by day even if it takes till the day you die to conquer the sin. We all sin and those who bear the cross of homosexuality is no different from those who thirst for sex, masturbation, or pornography, merely falling victim to the world. We can resist fore God made us all children of God, beautiful and in his image, in his love. In his mercy we live and in his Grace our hearts are softened and circumsized by Jesus Christ.
It seems to me there’s a lot of banter about charity and giving the benefit of the doubt to those who appear to be in a homosexual relationship (said benefit extending far beyond credible), but what about charity to the other posters??? Who’s giving them the benefit of the doubt that they might actually know more about what they’re talking about than we give them credit for??? Just because they’re not hanging out all the sordid details does not mean we have to pick their story apart…
How do you know they are living as lesbians? Just because two women are living together and are not feminine beauties, doesn’t mean they have turned toward one another in a sexual way. Sounds like you are a bit suspicious. EVEN if they are not sexually atrracted to men, doesn’t mean they are living immorally.