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Vatican Re-affirms that Homosexual Men Should Not be Admitted to the Priesthood

Claire Chretien : Dec 8, 2016
LifeSiteNews.com

"One must in no way overlook the negative consequences that can derive from the ordination of persons with deep-seated homosexual tendencies..."

(Rome)—[LifeSiteNews] A new document from the Vatican's Congregation for Clergy released today reiterates that "those who practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called 'gay culture'" are not to be admitted to seminaries or be ordained Catholic priests. (Photo: Shutterstock.com/via LifeSiteNews.com)

In a new 90-page document titled "The Gift of the Priestly Vocation," the Congregation for Clergy wrote that those who live the homosexual lifestyle, support the "gay culture," or have "deep-seated homosexual tendencies" "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," it continues.

"The Gift of the Priestly Vocation" directly quotes the Congregation for Catholic Education's 2005 document 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. It stresses that it would be "gravely dishonest" for a man to hide his homosexual inclinations for the sake of seeking ordination and that confessors and spiritual directors "have the duty to dissuade" same-sex attracted candidates "in conscience from proceeding towards ordination."

Lying about one's sexual attractions demonstrates a "deceitful attitude [that] does not correspond to the spirit of truth, loyalty and openness that must characterize the personality of him who believes he is called to serve Christ and His Church in the ministerial priesthood," the document reiterates, again quoting the Congregation for Catholic Education's 2005 Instruction.

If a candidate for the priesthood experienced "homosexual tendencies that were only the expression of a transitory problem" like "that of an adolescence not yet superseded," then such a case would be "different," the document states. Nevertheless, "such tendencies must be clearly overcome at least three years before...

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