NEW JERSEY
NorthJersey.com
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
By JOHN CHADWICK
STAFF WRITER
The Roman Catholic Church's declaration Tuesday that men with "deep-seated homosexual tendencies" shouldn't become priests is drawing praise from traditionalists who believe gay sex is a sin and alarm from critics who think the church has gone too far.
The long-awaited document - which sets a standard seen by many as far more restrictive than what has been in force for decades at the nation's seminaries - also bans from the priesthood men who support the "gay culture" and reaffirms the church's prohibition against practicing homosexuals.
"Such persons, in fact, find themselves in a situation that gravely hinders them from relating correctly to men and women," said the document, issued by the Vatican's Conference for Catholic Education. "One must in no way overlook the negative consequences that can derive from the ordination of persons with deep-seated homosexual tendencies."