Dealing with gay priests

[CatherineM]

I don't want this to be a debate about if gay men should be priests. I want to talk about gay men who are already ordained. I was invited to an episcopal ordination for someone who is gay and I'm opting out. Before you ask, yes I know him personally and I know for a fact he is gay. At first I was surprised and as the day approaches I  find myself getting angry. I'm not sure if that's an appropriate response, but it's an honest one. 

[hotpink]

I don't see how this is an issue, so long as he stands by and respects the church's values.  I've know non-gay priests who were so sympathetic they did convalidation for gay couples.  Thats a more of a serious issue.

Not only that, the responsibility of those who are ordanining him.  If they are aware, and you know they are aware, you cannot be a gatekeeper.  There may be something that you are not aware of.

[<3 PopeFrancis]

I think it's honest and appropriate.  I'll tell you why appropriate.  When I have a conflict in going to an event, I say "well would it be beneficial to this or that person/people if I go or more if I do not (perhaps, because I'm angry or unresolved about anything)?

 

Edited September 12, 2016 by <3 PopeFrancis

[hotpink]

Oh, I also didn't mean to say you should go.  I think that you're probably very right in the decision.  Either the Bishop doesn't know/has been fooled or he's making a choice to go against church law purposely or he's acting within Church law for some reason that the public doesn't know (but probably should to avoid scandal).

I think this would be akin to being invited to a Catholic wedding where you knew one party had a previous marriage.  Without being told that that party had it annulled or declared invalid, you shouldn't be going.  You know it's wrong.  Your level of knowledge precipitates how much duty you have in informing the priest, etc

[Quasar]

I think in the context of priesthood, Christ can turn someone's shortcomings into a gift.  A gay priest might have a unique understanding of what it means to struggle with sin, or what it means to feel left out.  I can see these becoming strengths in a mature, chaste person.

Edited September 12, 2016 by Quasar

[Makarioi]

God calls everyone from all ways and walks of life to follow Him.  Above the doors of my church, in capitals, it says 'ALL ARE WELCOME'. 

[hotpink]

4 minutes ago, Makarioi said:

God calls everyone from all ways and walks of life to follow Him.  Above the doors of my church, in capitals, it says 'ALL ARE WELCOME'. 

Welcome doesn't mean equal.  We don't let children serve at the alter until they receive communion.  We don't let people who can't speak be the cantor.  We don't allow women to be priests.  We don't allow men to be nuns.  Men can't give birth to children.  Those who are not baptized cannot be a godparent and it many cases diocese also require the person to be confirmed.  

So welcome =/= to everyone can do whatever they want.  The young man is free to attend Mass and be a part of the community, but in ordinary circumstances he's not able to become a priest.

[Anomaly]

Out of a general curiosity, how can you tell if a priest is gay or not?    Aren't all priests supposed to be celibate and not dating or engaging in Public or Private Acts of Affection whether with males, females, or minors?

[CatherineM]

I'm not going to discuss how I know, but I'm sure. I would like too know if the Pope was made aware of it before his promotion. 

[HisChildForever]

Are you not attending because he is a homosexual, or because he is supportive of that lifestyle and would himself be open to a relationship? (This is under the assumption that this particular denomination supports gay marriage and permit married clergy.)

[Quasar]

Well my understanding was that celibate gay men could be priests.  Someone correct me if I'm wrong. 

[Lefebvre]

6 minutes ago, Quasar said:

Well my understanding was that celibate gay men could be priests.  Someone correct me if I'm wrong. 

I know that 'my' diocese (Arlington) doesn't allow those with 'disordered sexualities' to become priests...

[EmilyAnn]

A Church of England bishop recently came out as gay. The CofE had known before his ordination and requires homosexual clergy to be celibate. Assuming the context of a celiibate priesthood, why does it matter? Surely having the witness and example of a gay person living a holy, celibate life is a good thing for gay people that might be struggling with their faith and sexuality.

[MIKolbe]

You say you find yourself getting angry. Expand on this...

[Maggyie]

I think technically gay men are not to be ordained due to any "effective immaturity" in their sexuality. I don't think this is a hard and fast rule and there are plenty of fine gay priests I'm sure. Definitely takes extra discernment on the part of the candidate and diocese etc. But the priesthood is demanding enough without having to also balance that cross. The episcopacy, definitely.

From what Catherine is saying I can deduce that this is probably not a situation where the person is simply privately bearing their cross. There's something more there. But I understand not getting into it on a public forum. FWIW there's a situation I've run into in a parish I belonged to, where it was kind of an open secret about things that had happened and were in fact still happening. I was always upset about it and wondered if anyone had told the bishop. I thought they must have, because not just we in the parish but the rest of the town "knew." I was finally clued in by a non Catholic friend who had done some business with the pastor.

if they made that fellow a bishop I would be quite angry.