tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13522238.post112869559626224328..comments2024-03-28T17:53:43.541-04:00Comments on DarwinCatholic: Gay Priest Ban: The Real StoryDarwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572976822786862149noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13522238.post-1128796512618529512005-10-08T14:35:00.000-04:002005-10-08T14:35:00.000-04:00Jimmy,The Church teaches that engaging in intercou...Jimmy,<BR/><BR/>The Church teaches that engaging in intercourse with someone of one's own sex (or anyone else whom one is not married to) is a mortal sin. To the extent that being 'homosexual' involves an inclination to that sin, one might just as legitimately describe someone as 'suffering' from same sex attraction as one might describe me as 'suffering' from a short temper and tendency towards anger. <BR/><BR/>Certainly, many people who are attracted to their own sex may not consider that to be a source of suffering in their lives, while other do. But that doesn't change the accuracy of the description from the Church's point of view.Darwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08572976822786862149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13522238.post-1128730549060529132005-10-07T20:15:00.000-04:002005-10-07T20:15:00.000-04:00Whether it is a "poisoned gift" probably depends a...Whether it is a "poisoned gift" probably depends a great deal on what one wants. I think the Church's desires remain much the same as they have ever been, she wishes her priests to uphold the teachings of the Church (including the teaching that sexual intercourse with someone of one's own sex is always wrong) and to life according to her disciplines, including the discipline of priestly celibacy. There have throughout history been various guidelines for evaluating whether 'straight' men are up to this task. However, it would seem, certain seminaries have not been doing a good job of selecting for such qualities when it comes to men who are primarily attracted to other men.Darwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08572976822786862149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13522238.post-1128726607568574902005-10-07T19:10:00.000-04:002005-10-07T19:10:00.000-04:00I've very mixed feelings about it. Of course, I'm ...I've very mixed feelings about it. Of course, I'm happy that the Vatican seems to be less strict about the subject.<BR/>But I wonder a few things: how will the candidates to priesthood be able to prove they had no homosexual relationship for the past three years? Why shouldn't the heterosexuals prove the same? Chastity is for everyone when becoming a priest. And I wonder why should homosexual orientation be the main criteria (it seems to me being the same given that there is some need to "examinate" the situation) to say if someone will be a good priest.<BR/>I hope this document won't be a "poisoned gift".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13522238.post-1128708489877376512005-10-07T14:08:00.000-04:002005-10-07T14:08:00.000-04:00Indeed, it seems a sort of devil's dilemma that if...Indeed, it seems a sort of devil's dilemma that if you offer a correctly nuanced explanation of Catholic doctrine, though give those who reject it wiggle room, while if you make the statement so excessive as to be un-wiggle-able, then it ceases to be authentically Catholic.Darwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08572976822786862149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13522238.post-1128708311821782002005-10-07T14:05:00.000-04:002005-10-07T14:05:00.000-04:00I agree that this sounds much more in keeping with...I agree that this sounds much more in keeping with the Vatican's subtle grasp of these issues. Of course, as always, the trick is implementation...too much wiggle room will leave the seminaries operating just as they have been...and the crisis will continue.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03787892622804373968noreply@blogger.com