The Trumpet
Wednesday, December 7, 2005
A Vatican pronouncement on homosexuals in the priesthood has many Catholics parsing the language, looking for loopholes.
On November 29, the Vatican published its policy on homosexuality in the Roman Catholic priesthood. The document specifically forbids three groups—“those who practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called ‘gay culture’”—while permitting those with a “transitory problem” to serve as priests if they have overcome the tendency for three years.
In a church with a billion believers, led by a priesthood of voluntarily celibate men, this “instruction,” as it was officially called, affects a lot of people—including homosexual Catholic priests. Many prominent Catholics were thus quick to explain how the document did in fact permit homosexuality in the priesthood.
Bishop William S. Skylstad, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement acknowledging that the document raised the question “whether a homosexually inclined man can be a good priest.” He said yes—as long as they are dedicated servants who preach against homosexual acts. He added that “bishops and major superiors should be available to speak directly with brother priests and seminarians who personally face the problem of homosexual inclinations.” In other words, priests and seminarians with homosexual inclinations shouldn’t be expunged.