I never knew that the Catholic Church officially accepted practicing homosexual as priests. According to a news story I heard tonight there is a big hub-bub about the vatacan coming out with a new rule stating that practicing homosexual priests will be kicked out of the priest-hood.
If this is true, then what is the Catholic stance on homosexuality?
[ November 13, 2002, 12:56 PM: Message edited by: Tuor ]
Homosexual Priests
Discussion in 'Free-For-All Archives' started by Eladar, Nov 11, 2002.
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First and foremost, I have NOT heard that the Catholic Church officially accepts practicing homosexuals as priests. Are there priests who are homosexual? I'm sure there are. Have certain seminaries and/or bishops been lax about checking into these things? Most likely. However, as far as an official stance of the Church, I'm sure the Church is not in support of it, as is evidenced by your statement below.
God bless,
Grant -
As I said, it was a story on the news tonight. My wife thinks it was on something like NBC, but I thought it was PBS.
In any case, it had priests on there saying that it would be a terrible thing to reject practicing homosexual priests.
GraceSaves,
When it comes to Christian brothers and sisters who are living a lifestyle in rebellion to God, I believe that St. Paul was not wrong when he instructed us to hand such a one over to Satan so that on the day of the Lord the soul might be saved.
See 1 Corinthians 5.
[ November 11, 2002, 10:29 PM: Message edited by: Tuor ] -
There is a difference in being homosexually oriented and being a practicing homosexual. A priest might be homosexually oriented, but he is bound by a vow of celibacy. One can be homosexually oriented and not carry that out in sexual activity. I would certainly NOT turn someone over to Satan who is tempted by sin and abstains from it, for we ALL do that.
The Catholic Church calls for those who have homosexual inclinations and cannot get rid of them to live a life of chastity.
Hopefully that clears that up.
God bless,
Grant -
Carson Weber <img src="http://www.boerne.com/temp/bb_pic2.jpg">
Hi Tuor,
You wrote, "When it comes to Christian brothers and sisters who are living a lifestyle in rebellion to God, I believe that St. Paul was not wrong when he instructed us to hand such a one over to Satan so that on the day of the Lord the soul might be saved."
You mean, excommunicate?
Blessings,
Carson -
Yes Carson, you are correct. Excommunication is totally Biblical under certain situations.
I have not been able to find a link to back up the story I heard last night. My wife remembers it too, so I don't think I'm remembering the news story incorrectly. -
I've forgotten, who can excommunicate, according the Catholic church?
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The RCC does not allow a priest to practice homosexuality or heterosexuality, since it both are sins according to God's word. I'm not sure why everyone likes to focus in on homosexuality. Probably because it sells more papers.
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I wouldn't have brought this up if it wasn't for the 'practicing' element.
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The Church would not knowing allow a "practicing" homosexual to become or remain a priest.
Ron -
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Tuor,
I wouldn't doubt what you heard, but different media sources offer different biases.
God bless,
Grant -
Tuor,
Reading back, I guess I might have made some mistakes. When you originally said "practicing," did you mean sexually active? If that is the case, then I most certainly agree that they should be removed from the priesthood. They have broken a vow before God and man, and if they continue to live in sin like this, unrepentant, then they need to reexamine their lives.
I still stand by what I said earlier, as well, though.
God bless,
Grant -
I'm still waiting for the proof of the claim of this thread.
These discussion boards are not much different than the news media in that it is easy to get everyone all excited with a little inaccurate statement without much concern over the truth of the matter.
In the end, I don't see a whole lot of difference between that sort of behavior and bearing false witness.
Ron -
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Clint Kritzer Active MemberSite Supporter
VATICAN TO ENFORCE 1961 DOCUMENT BANNING HOMOSEXUAL PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS
Bishops' spokesman shielded gay priests
Critics decry panel silence on gay priests
Opinions on effects of homosexual priests vary within Catholic church
Vatican Contemplates A Ban on Gay Priests
Got more if you want 'em... -
Those articles all talked about "homosexual orientation" not "practicing homosexual behavior".
So the proof is still not offered.
Our thread originator made a claim that the Church accepts "practicing" homosexuals as priests.
Clint, do you see a difference between a person with a homosexual orientation that does not engage in the sin and a person who does engage in the sin?
I am beging to wonder if Baptist's are all intentionally obtuse when it comes to Catholics and the Church.
Ron -
Clint Kritzer Active MemberSite Supporter
Ron -
It seems that sometimes the only way you can defend your faith is to live in denial. Here is a quote from the very first article I linked:
Even the Vatican recognizes the problem and most of the sources say that the problem lies in exactly how you approach this issue: denial. You are helping to perpetuate the problem and doing no real service for your denomination. -
I'm afraid I can't reference it, as I was doing dishes while listening to the news on the kitchen TV (yes we have one there as that is where I spend so much time! And no I don't watch soaps... :D ), but there was a Catholic priest -- current, kicked out, practicing or not, I don't know, but he had the collar and all on -- who likened the Vatican refusing to allow gays into the priesthood to the idea of a gay bar refusing to serve gays. That really caught my attention, because I was not aware that gays considered the Catholic clergy a place of refuge and work for them.
The comment certainly caught my attention though! -
Thank you for the links Clint.
Helen, the news story said that 30% of the Catholic Clergy is homosexual. I don't know if it is true, but that is what it said.
[ November 13, 2002, 12:05 PM: Message edited by: Tuor ]
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