Homosexual Catholic Irish Priest,

[superblue]

Because your discomfort isn't their problem. People are not obligated to bear the weight of their crosses quietly and without support simply because you or anyone else don't care to listen or empathize with their struggle.

Sharing facts about oneself is not a crime.
Sharing is cathartic and beneficial to others.
Sharing means that people can connect.
Sharing is not for you to dictate or judge.
Sharing is courageous; ignoring is weak.

 

 

maybe there is an answer that this priest felt for what ever reason overwhelmed by not telling anyone,   I guess the debate could be, should he have have made this announcement in the church or parish hall or does it matter.....

 

I agree that he making known is sexual orientation shouldn't be punishable, he shouldn't be shuffled to some where else because of it.....

 

i have to re read the article before i comment any more on it. as i have forgotten much.

[Oremus Pro Invicem]

It was not right for him to use the pulpit to make this announcement nor to tell others to support gay "marriage." No one forced him to be a Catholic priest. He chose to accept such an office and is therefore duty bound to uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church. The fact that he used the pulpit for this shows a dereliction of duty and is a huge act against charity towards his parish and to everyone else. What he did was rude and offensive. He has clearly demonstrated that he is no longer fit to lead his parish. He should be moved and suspended from ministry until he is ready to recant his anti-Catholic position on marriage.

[superblue]

okay I remember now, he did announce it from the pulpit and ask people to support gay marriage that was the two main problems, so I strike my previous response,

 

I don't think personally I would have a big problem with clergy making that public if it wasn't done at the pulpit, with an agenda, which it would seem his bishop should have made a comment on the matter by now which ima see if I can find later.

 

but even so,

 

at this point in time, is it really necessary for any clergy to announce that he is gay ?

 

does anyone really learn or benefit spiritually from such a thing ?

 

take away the agenda and doing it at the pulpit

[Oremus Pro Invicem]

 

at this point in time, is it really necessary for any clergy to announce that he is gay ?

 

does anyone really learn or benefit spiritually from such a thing ?

 

take away the agenda and doing it at the pulpit

 

If done correctly and with the correct disposition, yes, it could be beneficial for others.  A priest who identifies as homosexual but is living his life according to the gospel of Jesus Christ -and who shows and understands that such a life is still filled with joy and happiness despite it's many crosses- would definitely help others in their resolve to carry their cross.  I have met and spoken to faithful Catholics who identify themselves as homosexual.  Their resolve to love God above all things and their joy in doing God's will, has been very inspirational to me.   Good Catholics are not those who do not have struggles.  Good Catholics are those who see all things, including their struggles, as an opportunity to be closer to God. 

Edited January 19, 2015 by Oremus Pro Invicem

[franciscanheart]

Agreed with OPI. If this priest did, in fact, ask his parish to support gay marriage, I'm on the "not cool" bandwagon. But I take no issue with the idea of him sharing that part of himself with his parish, for exactly the reasons OPI stated above.

[ChristianGirlForever]

Agreed with OPI. If this priest did, in fact, ask his parish to support gay marriage, I'm on the "not cool" bandwagon. But I take no issue with the idea of him sharing that part of himself with his parish, for exactly the reasons OPI stated above.

I agree that in today's world, it would have been very helpful to all Catholics if he had said it properly. I don't believe he should have done it from the pulpit, though. I don't believe the priest should be talking about himself during that time. If he had said that he was homosexual, but was living a chaste and holy life, by the grace of God, I would have cheered. I still believe people should keep their private lives private, but in this day and age it isn't always the right thing to do.

[Nihil Obstat]

Agreed with OPI. If this priest did, in fact, ask his parish to support gay marriage, I'm on the "not cool" bandwagon. But I take no issue with the idea of him sharing that part of himself with his parish, for exactly the reasons OPI stated above.

Do you believe that the context of his homily is the appropriate place for that information?

I do not think so, but I am curious if anyone does.

[franciscanheart]

I agree that in today's world, it would have been very helpful to all Catholics if he had said it properly. I don't believe he should have done it from the pulpit, though. I don't believe the priest should be talking about himself during that time. If he had said that he was homosexual, but was living a chaste and holy life, by the grace of God, I would have cheered.

To be clear, I'm propping this portion of your post. 
 

Do you believe that the context of his homily is the appropriate place for that information?
I do not think so, but I am curious if anyone does.

Where do you believe he should have / could have shared that information? Do you believe the alternative setting would reach as many people? Would you have taken issue with a deacon giving a homily talking about his wife or his children?

[Nihil Obstat]

 
Where do you believe he should have / could have shared that information? Do you believe the alternative setting would reach as many people? Would you have taken issue with a deacon giving a homily talking about his wife or his children?

I do not really think it is a salient point during the homily, in the context of a Mass. Perhaps hold a retreat or a recollection, even reach out to the community after Mass in a less formal manner. Making it part of the homily seems to put his 'coming out' in the context of his teaching authority as pastor of the parish. In a certain sense it 'canonizes' what he is saying. If not for very well educated Catholics, at least for the average parishioner who probably gets all of their faith education from their parish priest.

I think it sets a somewhat dangerous precedent.

And yes, in the context of a homily given at Mass, I would personally not prefer the deacon to mention his wife or children. I simply do not think that is the place for it.

[Amppax]

I do not really think it is a salient point during the homily, in the context of a Mass. Perhaps hold a retreat or a recollection, even reach out to the community after Mass in a less formal manner. Making it part of the homily seems to put his 'coming out' in the context of his teaching authority as pastor of the parish. In a certain sense it 'canonizes' what he is saying. If not for very well educated Catholics, at least for the average parishioner who probably gets all of their faith education from their parish priest.

I think it sets a somewhat dangerous precedent.

And yes, in the context of a homily given at Mass, I would personally not prefer the deacon to mention his wife or children. I simply do not think that is the place for it.

 

What about when the readings clearly reference marriage? 

 

But, stepping back from that, do you believe that there is no place for personal sharing/anecdotes in a homily? Based on my experience, these sort of things can be used to great effect in a homily. 

[Nihil Obstat]

What about when the readings clearly reference marriage? 
 
But, stepping back from that, do you believe that there is no place for personal sharing/anecdotes in a homily? Based on my experience, these sort of things can be used to great effect in a homily.

What about when the readings clearly reference marriage?

Then the priest (or deacon) can certainly talk about marriage. But I am not sure he should talk about *his* marriage. In general, at any rate.
 

But, stepping back from that, do you believe that there is no place for personal sharing/anecdotes in a homily? Based on my experience, these sort of things can be used to great effect in a homily.

In my own experience, personal anecdotes add something substantive to the homily rarely, if ever. I think they are well suited for retreats and recollections as I said above, and in smaller groups, due to a more personal and less formal setting. I think the homily is better suited for explaining doctrine and theology, and teaching the meaning of Scripture. Personal anecdotes should be uncommon, minor, and brief, in my opinion.

[CrossCuT]

It seems to me that most catholics would find a homosexual priest an abomination (at least thats the impression) so regardless of the method in which he announced himself no one would be happy with it. 

 

A question I had a while ago that people refused to speculate on is if having homosexuality somehow made you unable to perform priestly duties since celibacy is the norm in the west. (The same extends to homosexual nuns, or any others in equivalent or related roles)

 

Could itbe a spiritual or social deterrent?

Spiritually,I would say no. But if you consider the social aspect, I also have to consider that a lot of Catholic congregations still have a large amount of homophobia. So the priest might put a wedge between himself and his congregation if they indeed felt uncomfortable with it. Should they get over that? Yes. But I admit that it might cause a problem with certain members who might take this as a compromise in his faith. 

 

Edit: I dont think anyone has suggested that he would be a poor priest because of his homosexuality, but it just reminded me of the question I had a while back. 

Edited January 19, 2015 by CrossCuT

[franciscanheart]

It seems to me that most catholics would find a homosexual priest an abomination (at least thats the impression) so regardless of the method in which he announced himself no one would be happy with it. 
 
A question I had a while ago that people refused to speculate on is if having homosexuality somehow made you unable to perform priestly duties since celibacy is the norm in the west. (The same extends to homosexual nuns, or any others in equivalent or related roles)
 
Could itbe a spiritual or social deterrent?
Spiritually,I would say no. But if you consider the social aspect, I also have to consider that a lot of Catholic congregations still have a large amount of homophobia. So the priest might put a wedge between himself and his congregation if they indeed felt uncomfortable with it. Should they get over that? Yes. But I admit that it might cause a problem with certain members who might take this as a compromise in his faith. 
 
Edit: I dont think anyone has suggested that he would be a poor priest because of his homosexuality, but it just reminded me of the question I had a while back.

If you start a new thread, I'd be happy to engage that dialogue. Don't want to derail here.

[Oremus Pro Invicem]

Then the priest (or deacon) can certainly talk about marriage. But I am not sure he should talk about *his* marriage. In general, at any rate.
 

In my own experience, personal anecdotes add something substantive to the homily rarely, if ever. I think they are well suited for retreats and recollections as I said above, and in smaller groups, due to a more personal and less formal setting. I think the homily is better suited for explaining doctrine and theology, and teaching the meaning of Scripture. Personal anecdotes should be uncommon, minor, and brief, in my opinion.

 

This is my opinion as well.  If anything a priest could say at the beginning of his homily that he would like to make an announcement to his parish after Mass in a parish meeting area, but to not use the pulpit as his place for 'coming out'. 

[Amppax]

Then the priest (or deacon) can certainly talk about marriage. But I am not sure he should talk about *his* marriage. In general, at any rate.

In my own experience, personal anecdotes add something substantive to the homily rarely, if ever. I think they are well suited for retreats and recollections as I said above, and in smaller groups, due to a more personal and less formal setting. I think the homily is better suited for explaining doctrine and theology, and teaching the meaning of Scripture. Personal anecdotes should be uncommon, minor, and brief, in my opinion.

I tend to think that this sort of thing would be used to help explain or illustrate a point, not be part of the homily at the expense of those other things. Both/and not either/or.