Pope Francis' Comments On Gay Priests

[Apotheoun]

You don't know me so shut the eff up and mind your business about what I supposedly believe about Catholic moral doctrine and get a life and stop parading around how supposedly smart and pure you are.

I don't remember ever claiming to be "smart" or "pure." I am a sinner like every other human being, and as a sinner I struggle every day to live life as God demands in the commandments and the holy Gospel.

[Era Might]

You don't know me so shut the eff up and mind your business about what I supposedly believe about Catholic moral doctrine and get a life and stop parading around how supposedly smart and pure you are.

 

This was mean, so I'm sorry.

 

Thread continue around original topic.

[dUSt]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/29/us-pope-gays-idUSBRE96S0DX20130729

 

This article seems fair:

 

 

In response to a question about reports of a "gay lobby" in the Vatican, after it suffered a string of scandals over pedophile priests and corruption in the administration of the Holy See, Francis said:

"If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge him?

"The problem is not having this orientation. We must be brothers. The problem is lobbying by this orientation, or lobbies of greedy people, political lobbies, Masonic lobbies, so many lobbies. This is the worst problem," he said.

"You see a lot written about the gay lobby. I still have not seen anyone in the Vatican with an identity card saying they are gay," he joked.

Francis defended all gays from discrimination but also referred to the Catholic Church's universal Catechism, which says that while homosexual orientation is not sinful, homosexual acts are.

"The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this very well. It says they should not be marginalized because of this (orientation) but that they must be integrated into society," he said, speaking in Italian and using the word "gay", instead of "homosexual" which previous pontiffs mainly used.

 

[BG45]

Thanks Dust, just sent that Reuters piece to a friend who had asked about the Pope's comments.  

 

 

[Basilisa Marie]

I saw somebody write that it's different from Benedict's opinion, which was that any man with homosexual tendencies should never become a priest.  Does anyone know anything about that? 

[HisChildForever]

I saw somebody write that it's different from Benedict's opinion, which was that any man with homosexual tendencies should never become a priest.  Does anyone know anything about that? 

 

I'm not sure, but if Benedict did say that, and Francis has a different opinion - it's not like this is [i]ex cathedra[/i] stuff, so imo there's no need for people to get worked up over it. (Just a general comment.)

[Apotheoun]

I saw somebody write that it's different from Benedict's opinion, which was that any man with homosexual tendencies should never become a priest.  Does anyone know anything about that? 

The Vatican Congregation that oversees Catholic seminary education released the following instruction - approved by Pope Benedict XVI - a few years ago:

 

". . . [T]his Dicastery, in accord with the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, believes it necessary to state clearly that the Church, while profoundly respecting the persons in question, cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called 'gay culture'. 

 

Such persons, in fact, 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. 

 

Different, however, would be the case in which one were dealing with homosexual tendencies that were only the expression of a transitory problem - for example, that of an adolescence not yet superseded. Nevertheless, such tendencies must be clearly overcome at least three years before ordination to the diaconate."

[LouisvilleFan]

I saw somebody write that it's different from Benedict's opinion, which was that any man with homosexual tendencies should never become a priest.  Does anyone know anything about that? 

 

He did make a statement that men with a "deep-seeded" homosexuality are not fit candidates for priesthood.

 

Benedict never gave an unqualified statement about all homosexuals and priesthood, only that "deep-seeded" homosexuals are not fit. I don't think the he ever explained what that means, exactly, but I guess we could discuss that here...

[Apotheoun]

He did make a statement that men with a "deep-seeded" homosexuality are not fit candidates for priesthood.

 

Benedict never gave an unqualified statement about all homosexuals and priesthood, only that "deep-seeded" homosexuals are not fit. I don't think the he ever explained what that means, exactly, but I guess we could discuss that here...

Actually Pope Benedict didn't just make a comment about not ordaining (or allowing in seminary) men with deep-seated homosexual tendencies; instead, by his direct order the Congregation for Catholic Education, which is charged with overseeing the seminary education process worldwide, issued an official instruction on the matter (n.b., I quoted a portion of that instruction in my previous post).

[jazzytakara]

I didn't even know he was referring to homosexual priests and potential priests. Every media source and social media source I have come across are telling the story that he has struck down all of the Catholic Church's views on homosexuality. So this is news to me..Looking into it now, many who realize this is only regarding priests are complaining it is still wrong as priests are already forced/have chosen (depending on your source) to be celibate. If not that then they are complaining about another example of the Church being 'anti-women'. Sigh, can't trust the media at all these days for a reliable, accurate, and truthful report...its all filled with bias (and whatever is needed to promote that bias, via misrepresentation, lies, and hype). 
 

In my opinion, he didn't say anything outside of the norm when it comes to Catholic teaching. He wasn't speaking about recognizing equal marriage rights, he was speaking about treating everyone equaling, not judging, not hating, and welcoming all to the Catholic Church. A lot of people claim they are following God by reiterating the Bible in regards to homosexuality, but really they are being hateful, judgmental, and far from welcoming. He still expects Catholics to 'love the sinner, hate the sin'. And he never spoke against the Catholic teaching that homosexuals are called to celibacy. Since priests are all called to celibacy, this reiterates that he wasn't speaking about equal marriage rights, striking down the Church's views in regards to homosexuality, he is speaking about equal treatment and acceptance.

[PhuturePriest]

Seems like he said something along the lines of

And honestly...I agree.

Why does a priests sexuality matter when he takes the vows of celibacy anyways? Does being homosexual automatically mean you suddenly lose ALL propriety and have uncontrollable urges to sleep with people?

Everyone makes mistakes even the straight priests.

And arent we called to be saints despite the difficulties we are faced in life? 

 

Many years ago, a Priest in my diocese had his faculties taken away because he was seen sleeping with his secretary, and wouldn't stop even after he was caught. My spiritual director is gay and is a great, faithful, celibate Priest. Sexual orientation doesn't make you a good or bad Priest. Holiness or lack thereof does.

[bennieans]

Looks very cool

[penguin31]

To add from earlier:

 

If a couple of soundbite-friendly statements get people to explore the Church, what it really stands for, and can bring people who had closed their hearts to God's love back home...then that's fantastic.  And from what I've seen on social media and online discussions today, the pope's comments (and other recent actions) promoting a positive image definitely seem to be showing signs of getting people interested in Catholicism.

[CatherineM]

That was a terrible movie. And there is a difference between giving up a good (i.e., the possibility of a life with a wife and children) and giving up a disordered relationship (i.e., practicing sodomy).

I loved that movie. The best part was the kid giving a fire and brimstone sermon to the Mercedes driving suburbanites.

[cappie]

To add from earlier:

 

If a couple of soundbite-friendly statements get people to explore the Church, what it really stands for, and can bring people who had closed their hearts to God's love back home...then that's fantastic.  And from what I've seen on social media and online discussions today, the pope's comments (and other recent actions) promoting a positive image definitely seem to be showing signs of getting people interested in Catholicism.

 

Probably correctly or incorrectly depending on your point of view finally, someone from the church hierarchy has said something that isn’t hateful, harmful, and anti-gay – and it was the pope!