Secondary Vocations of Non-Heterosexual Persons

  • Thread starter Thread starter LadyLillian
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
L

LadyLillian

Guest
Does the Church consider persons who are not heterosexual (pansexual persons, homosexual persons, asexual persons, bisexual persons, etc.) to be without secondary vocations? Is having a sexual orientation other than heterosexual considered an impediment to marriage, the priesthood, or consecrated life? Could a gay man become a monk? Could a lesbian become a consecrated virgin?
 
Last edited:
There’s no teaching against them not getting married(in an appropriate marriage).

I do know the norms for deciding candidacy for the priesthood consider deep seated a serious obstacle for the priesthood. Heres what this article reads(http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/c...con_ccatheduc_doc_20051104_istruzione_en.html):

From the time of the Second Vatican Council until today, various Documents of the Magisterium, and especially the Catechism of the Catholic Church, have confirmed the teaching of the Church on homosexuality. The Catechism distinguishes between homosexual acts and homosexual tendencies.

Regarding acts, it teaches that Sacred Scripture presents them as grave sins. The Tradition has constantly considered them as intrinsically immoral and contrary to the natural law. Consequently, under no circumstance can they be approved.

Deep-seated homosexual tendencies, which are found in a number of men and women, are also objectively disordered and, for those same people, often constitute a trial. Such persons must be accepted with respect and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. They are called to fulfil God’s will in their lives and to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter[8].

In the light of such teaching, this Dicastery, in accord with the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, believes it necessary to state clearly that the Church, while profoundly respecting the persons in question[9], cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practise homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called “gay culture”[10].

Such persons, in fact, find themselves in a situation that gravely hinders them from relating correctly to men and women. One must in no way overlook the negative consequences that can derive from the ordination of persons with deep-seated homosexual tendencies.

I don’t know about being a monk, but as someone who’s struggled with homosexuality myself, I am absolutely fine with these guidlines.
 
I’m not even sure what “pansexual” means – there’s male, female, and then the perversion of going after animals.

If a person is not heterosexual, why would they marry the opposite sex? That, in and of itself, would be an impediment to a valid marriage, IMHO. Male or female, if they cannot carry out the vocation of wife or husband in the proper way, they’re not validly married.

Priesthood – must be heterosexual.

Consecrated religious life – depends on the person and the order they are attracted to. They have to show that they have their attractions under control before they could be set loose in a house which is exclusively that sex to which they are attracted. That’s like putting an alcoholic back to work in a bar.

The Sisters of Mercy have said on their website that yes, some of their sisters are lesbians, but they are celibate, in accord with their vow of chastity.

A lesbian could become a consecrated virgin if she stopped idolizing her same sex attraction, and dealt with it appropriately.

When we care called to service, we must learn to put God first, and emulate the angels who minister before Him and to humanity. That is Pure Love, and should never be sullied by sexual thoughts.

Blessings,
Mrs Cloisters OP
Lay Dominican
http://cloisters.tripod.com/
http://cloisters.tripod.com/charity/
 
Last edited:
Cloisters said:
If a person is not heterosexual, why would they marry the opposite sex?
Click to expand...
A person could fail to be heterosexual without being homosexual – e.g. they could experience attraction to both sexes.
 
Cloisters said:
I’m not even sure what “pansexual” means
Click to expand...
Well, if you haven’t already googled it, then pasexuals are persons who are sexually attracted to all kinds of people, regardless of gender or sex, including persons who are transgender or intersex.
Cloisters said:
there’s male, female, and then the perversion of going after animals.
Click to expand...
This statement makes no sense in the context of our topic…what are you getting at? I don’t dispute males, females and persons who are sexually attracted to animals exist.
Cloisters said:
If a person is not heterosexual, why would they marry the opposite sex?
Click to expand...
The desire to have a family, religious or cultural rules, economic motivations, parental expectation, romantic non-sexual love, delayed self-discovery, intense platonic love, loneliness, etc. Depending on the orientations involved, opposite sex marriages might happen quite naturally, for example, in the case of an asexual-asexual marriage, or a bisexual-heterosexual marriage. And yet, couples exist in which one partner is homosexual and the other is heterosexual. Take this couple for example:


Granted, not every homosexual person is called to or can have a heterosexual marriage as this man does. Certainly, this man, or others like him, should not be held up to gay persons by family or friends and expect their son/cousin/friend/etc. to do the same thing.
Cloisters said:
They have to show that they have their attractions under control
Click to expand...
No one controls their attractions, only their responses to them. And non-heterosexual persons are as capable of committing to and living out a vow of chastity as heterosexuals. Though I realize a lesbian living with a community of women is a different story than a heterosexual woman living with a community of women.
Cloisters said:
The Sisters of Mercy have said on their website that yes, some of their sisters are lesbians, but they are celibate, in accord with their vow of chastity.
Click to expand...
I did not know that, thank you for sharing!
Cloisters said:
A lesbian could become a consecrated virgin if she stopped idolizing her same sex attraction, and dealt with it appropriately.
Click to expand...
I do not feel like the way you phrased this is very respectful towards lesbians. Lesbians rarely “idolize” their sexuality, and certainly are no more likely to do so than heterosexuals. “Deal with it appropriately” sounds like you are talking about burning off a wart. All persons are called to embrace chastity and resist sexual temptation and none of us walk that path alone.
 
Last edited:
What I have said, I have said in the context of religious Vocations. Having dealt with SSA myself, I asked God to heal me, and I began to have memories of childhood abuse. Soon after, I met my husband of 27 years. I know what I’m talking about.

Anything that occupies an inordinate amount of time is an idol, which is what SSA has become to so many.
 
Last edited:
LadyLillian said:
And yet, couples exist in which one partner is homosexual and the other is heterosexual.
Click to expand...
Wouldn’t it be more logical for two homosexuals (or different sex) to marry? Lot’s of heterosexual couples rarely have sex but enjoy the intimacy and affection of a companion.

PS: lot’s of Catholic priests are not heterosexual.
 
I am so sorry you experienced childhood abuse. Congratulations on your 27 years of marriage!

I appreciate your unique perspective! Some of my closest friends are asexuals and bisexuals and I have been blessed to be able to learn from what they have shared with me.
 
I think often the chemistry that makes two people fall in love and choose to marry is beyond the confines of calculated logic.

That said, I see your point. If I was a lesbian seeking a heterosexual marriage, say for the sake of having children, I imagine seeking out a Catholic gay man who also wanted a family would cross my mind. Not sure there is a dating site for that as of yet though! 😛 That would complicate things.
 
Last edited:
Not being hetrosexual is not a sin. I didn’t say or imply they were acting on it. There is evidence to support what i said and it’s pure silliness to suggest random samples can’t be used to represent wider groups.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top