SO what are the rules in who can be a priest>>?

[adolfo123]

I heard that gay men can be priest… What are the rules in this matter???

 

[Dale_M]

Instruction Concerning the Criteria for the Discernment of Vocations
with regard to Persons with Homosexual Tendencies
in view of their Admission to the Seminary and to Holy Orders

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.

Different, however, would be the case in which one were dealing with homosexual tendencies that were only the expression of a transitory problem - for example, that of an adolescence not yet superseded. Nevertheless, such tendencies must be clearly overcome at least three years before ordination to the diaconate.

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccatheduc/documents/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_20051104_istruzione_en.html

 

[adolfo123]

In that case the vatican should say only immaculate people can be priest… !!!

 

[Tsuwano]

Well, the Vatican does say that priests should be holy, doesn’t it?

 

[bpbasilphx]

Well, the Vatican does say that priests should be holy, doesn’t it?

Are you saying that gay people cannot be holy?

No one chooses to be gay, just as no one chooses to be heterosexual, but ultimately holiness IS a choice.

After all, we don’t get to choose our temptations, do we? Is someone not tempted to homosexuality somehow inheretently spiritually superior? Seems Jesus said something about such an attitude.

 

[Tsuwano]

Are you saying that gay people cannot be holy?

No one chooses to be gay, just as no one chooses to be heterosexual, but ultimately holiness IS a choice.

After all, we don’t get to choose our temptations, do we? Is someone not tempted to homosexuality somehow inheretently spiritually superior? Seems Jesus said something about such an attitude.

Nope, that’s not what I’m saying. In fact, I’m saying, in reply to the statement that the Church should allow only those who are “immaculate” to become priests, that the Church hopes that all those who become priests, including those who identify themselves as gay, are holy. I hope that clears things up a bit.

 

[mdgspencer]

When people speak of gay people, they generally mean someone who is not chaste. All sex outside marriage is a mortal sin, and the Church would never ordain someone who was living a life of mortal sin.
Of course, the Vatican has also said that even someone who is a homosexual, who is chaste, should not be ordained, but of course the poster was asking about gay people, not people who are simply homosexual. (This is not to say that a chaste homosexual is a sinner, but the Vatican sees homosexuality a psychological disorder (not a moral problem) and so has said even chaster homosexuals should not be ordained for this reason).

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

In that case the vatican should say only immaculate people can be priest… !!!

Only normal men can be Ordained.

 

[Sr_Sally]

A priest is called to give up one good (marriage) for another good (the celebate life). A man with same-sex attraction is not giving up a good, since acting out on his attractions would be sinful. In become a priest who is called to live in community he would also be placing himself in a state that could very easily be a near occasion to sin.

We have seen in the past that this is indeed what can and has happened–that men with SSA, living together in seminary or a rectory, find themselves succumbing to sin. And yes of course, straight priests have had affairs etc also, but they don’t live in close constant contact with women and so don’t have the same constant temptations.

I beiieve that the Vatican’s new guidelines are in fact trying to be charitable and loving to men with SSA, so that they don’t find themselves in difficult situations all their lives.

We are all called to live chastily. For those with SSA, that also means living celebately. Each of us has to work for ourselves to find the situation most supportive of our desire to never comit mortal sin.

 

[Filioque]

Are you saying that gay people cannot be holy?

No one chooses to be gay, just as no one chooses to be heterosexual, but ultimately holiness IS a choice.

After all, we don’t get to choose our temptations, do we? Is someone not tempted to homosexuality somehow inheretently spiritually superior? Seems Jesus said something about such an attitude.

The way I read the guidelines, all men who feel called to the priesthood are called to a celebate life, (In the Latin Rite) the only exceptions being the few Protestant clergy who are married and convert, who feel they are called to the priesthood. While the document is in response to a question regarding gay men, it would seem that they are called to the same holiness as a heterosexual man, that is, even if he had been involved in illicit sexual behavior prior to his entry to the seminary, he (heterosexual or homosexual) refrain from sexual activity and be determined through the grace of God to remain celebate.

I think the term Immaculate used here is the ideal. While it would be ideal for a man who is called to the priesthood to have been chaste throughout his lifetime, a true conversion, as exemplified by St. Augustine, would also be an acceptable gift to God. I have met holy monastics who have gained much in the area of personal holiness and sanctification by resisting same sex attractions, doing penance and putting away their desires, as well as heterosexual men who became priests, who while tempted by working with women in the parish, have remained chaste and offered a pure life to God with the aide of our Lady.

 

[Tsuwano]

The way I read the guidelines, all men who feel called to the priesthood are called to a celebate life, (In the Latin Rite) the only exceptions being the few Protestant clergy who are married and convert, who feel they are called to the priesthood. While the document is in response to a question regarding gay men, it would seem that they are called to the same holiness as a heterosexual man, that is, even if he had been involved in illicit sexual behavior prior to his entry to the seminary, he (heterosexual or homosexual) refrain from sexual activity and be determined through the grace of God to remain celebate.

I think the term Immaculate used here is the ideal. While it would be ideal for a man who is called to the priesthood to have been chaste throughout his lifetime, a true conversion, as exemplified by St. Augustine, would also be an acceptable gift to God. I have met holy monastics who have gained much in the area of personal holiness and sanctification by resisting same sex attractions, doing penance and putting away their desires, as well as heterosexual men who became priests, who while tempted by working with women in the parish, have remained chaste and offered a pure life to God with the aide of our Lady.

I think you make a good point when you hold a heterosexual seminarian to the same standard as homosexual seminarians are held. In other words, I don’t think the Vatican has said that homosexuals cannot be ordained, but that they must have reached such a maturity and level of holiness that their homosexuality is well controlled and that they have not been sexually active for a number of years. I’m not sure of this, but I’m sure others will correct me if it isn’t true. Of course, controlling one’s sexual desires and impulses is similar to the behavior we expect of heterosexual priests as well.
I should also add that I have known and continue to know many good and dedicated priests whom, if asked, would probably admit they are more likely to be sexually attracted to males than to females. They are dedicated celebates however and have found meaning and holiness in this state of life. They are also religious and have not found living in a religious community any more challenging of their call to celebacy than any other temptation that modern society offers. I think these men should be welcomed in the Church and their service appreciated.