[B Knotts]

I have heard this bandied about much recently, is there any (a sincere question, not an attempt to inflame) objective evidence for it?

Yes. Read this book:

Goodbye! Good Men

It's all in there, and well-documented.

[johnqueuepublic]

You really dont have to read the book its all summed up here, which is taken from this article:

”There are numerous reports that mental health professionals who do not support the teachings of the Catholic Church on sexuality have been chosen to evaluate candidates for the priesthood and reject candidates who do accept the Church's teachings on the grounds they are 'rigid'. There are also reports that some mental health professionals do not report homosexual attractions and conflicts in candidates for the priesthood to diocesan officials or religious superiors.

"Mental health professionals chosen to evaluate candidates for the priesthood ... should be Catholics in good standing who support the Church's teaching on sexuality, life, contraception, homosexuality, celibacy of the priesthood, the Ordination on only men, and the hierarchical structure of the Church. ... Non-Catholics and Catholics who do not support the teaching of the Church should not be employed in this task." Catholic Medical Association, "Statement to U.S. Bishops" (11/1999)

The Church has already admitted as such.