vocation question

[jsprings]

Hey everyone this is a serious question. I know God works in mysterious ways but I was wondering if He would make it to where a person thought he was gay and believed he was gay in order for him to forget about marriage and consider the priesthood all the while this causes the person much anxiety and fear until one day he just accepts it and decides well maybe I am called to be a priest.

 

[Miserys_Fence]

If he thought he was gay, why would he want to be a priest??

Miz

 

[notredame_999]

If he thought he was gay, why would he want to be a priest??

Miz

Because in a lot of Catholic families it would be much more socially acceptable for someone who had same-sex attraction to enter the priesthood, then live a chaste single life alone. The fact that a homosexual orientation is much higher in the priesthood than the general population has been well documented. That’s not to say that we should assume priests homosexual until proven otherwise, because I certainly don’t, nevertheless it should be pointed out. Fortunately Pope Benedict has acknowledged the problems that a homosexual subculture can do to seminaries, and thank God he has pledged to “clean up the filth.”

 

[jsprings]

The story told is a very simplified version. the thought to be a priest was considered a way to escape people wondering or questioning him which caused a feeling of anxiety he didnt want to be a priest, over time the thought of becoming a priest is comfortable and a sort of yearning. Im just wondering if this is the way the Lord of love and all wisdom calls some people to serve him in the priesthood

 

[jsprings]

If he thought he was gay, why would he want to be a priest??

Miz

he story told is a very simplified version. the thought to be a priest was considered a way to escape people wondering or questioning him which caused a feeling of anxiety he didnt want to be a priest, over time the thought of becoming a priest is comfortable and a sort of yearning. Im just wondering if this is the way the Lord of love and all wisdom calls some people to serve him in the priesthood

 

[miniquedoes]

If somebody feels they are truly attracted to the same sex then that would mean they are called to live a chaste life as any other unmarried person. One cannot use the priesthood as a way out of dealing with their sexuality. Also one cannot enter the seminary to avoid questions from family or friends regarding marriage etc…The call to the priesthood comes from God and to go to the seminary in order to live life without being questioned would be wrong. So there are chaste homosexuals that feel called to the priesthood which is different from those who want to be a priest because they are homosexual and think it is the easy way out. It is up to the individual to pray intently in order to see where God is calling them.

 

[notredame_999]

If somebody feels they are truly attracted to the same sex then that would mean they are called to live a chaste life as any other unmarried person. One cannot use the priesthood as a way out of dealing with their sexuality. Also one cannot enter the seminary to avoid questions from family or friends regarding marriage etc…The call to the priesthood comes from God and to go to the seminary in order to live life without being questioned would be wrong. So there are chaste homosexuals that feel called to the priesthood which is different from those who want to be a priest because they are homosexual and think it is the easy way out. It is up to the individual to pray intently in order to see where God is calling them.

Should chaste homosexuals even be ordained?
I thought the whole purpose of the Roman Catholic Priesthood was alter christus, another Christ, which means sacrificing marriage, kids, sex. All these things are natural. A chaste homosexual giving up desires that are not natural does not seem like a holy sacrifice. To be totally honest the idea of being in a seminary where a substantial minority identifies themselves as “chaste homosexuals” turns me off to the priesthood. A good number of American born priests I have heard speak in feminine mannerisms. That could be why there’s not a lot of talk on hell. It seems ridiculous to me that we could be ordaining “chaste homosexuals” and not allow for a married priesthood.

 

[jsprings]

If somebody feels they are truly attracted to the same sex then that would mean they are called to live a chaste life as any other unmarried person. One cannot use the priesthood as a way out of dealing with their sexuality. Also one cannot enter the seminary to avoid questions from family or friends regarding marriage etc…The call to the priesthood comes from God and to go to the seminary in order to live life without being questioned would be wrong. So there are chaste homosexuals that feel called to the priesthood which is different from those who want to be a priest because they are homosexual and think it is the easy way out. It is up to the individual to pray intently in order to see where God is calling them.

What I am wondering is would God make somebody feel this way who otherwise before this believed he was heterosexual, if God really wanted this person to be a priest couldnt he have found better way to call him instead of turning his world upside down and taking away his sexuality.

 

[miniquedoes]

It is not up to me whether they are ordained. That is up to the seminary. I said nothing about homosexuals being allowed to be ordained. I simply said that some feel called to the priesthood. I personally would not like to see flamboyant men becoming priest but that is not up to me.

 

[RevDrNorth]

Hey everyone this is a serious question. I know God works in mysterious ways but I was wondering if He would make it to where a person thought he was gay and believed he was gay in order for him to forget about marriage and consider the priesthood all the while this causes the person much anxiety and fear until one day he just accepts it and decides well maybe I am called to be a priest.

I do not think he would make someone think they were gay to get them into the priesthood. My second concern, would be that you are experiencing fear and anxiety. God does not want you to be fearful and anxious. You are struggling with one thing and there are many others struggling with other issues in their lives. I would think seeking out someone for spiritual counsel and discernment would be helpful.

The gay subculture mentioned above in the Catholic priesthood is troubling and has probably lead to a number of difficult (scandalous) issues for the church. However, there also have been celibate gay priests like the spiritual giant Fr. Henri Nouwen. He was a very self sacrificing priest who was devoted and faithful to his calling (as far as we know).
It was only later that the fact he struggled with same sex attraction came out.

Regardless of ones inclinations, the ability to live faithfully and joyfully the priestly calling is important. It is no more helpful to the church to have heterosexual priests who are not living up to their calling.

If you are called to the Priesthood, it will be because you care called and called to live a celibate life (not a double life be you homosexual or heterosexual).

 

[miniquedoes]

jsprings God does not play with us. He would not fool us into believe something that is not true in order to get us to serve Him. If He wanted somebody to be a priest, He will make that clear. This is a tricky situation because the person needs to first come to grips with their own sexuality. If one is confused about being heterosexual or homosexual then it would come out on the psychological test required for entrance to the seminary and thereby inhibit one from entering.

 

[jongenaro]

If he wants to be a priest just to cover up his homosexuality then he’s going into the priesthood for the wrong reason and shouldn’t do so. But if it is God calling him to be a priest whether he has a same sex attraction or not, then its God’s Will. We can’t argue with God, that’s for sure!