Posted on 06/14/2002 4:02:32 PM PDT by marshmallow
Do homosexuals make better priests? Yes, according to a leading Roman Catholic magazine.
Homosexuals have a "unique experience of suffering," "deeper inner lives" and "more creativity" than heterosexuals, according to an article in the Jesuit weekly America last month.
And those qualities are three precious "gifts" that priests can use to "lead people closer to God in prayer," according to the article, written by Rev. James Martin, a Manhattan Jesuit.
"The question is not whether God is calling homosexual men to the priesthood, but why?" Martin told The Gazette. "Unlike women, homosexuals are already part of the clergy.
"The Catholic Church needs a clear and dispassionate review of the major issues raised by the phenomenon. I think a nationwide survey should be done. Most of the studies are anecdotal."
It's hard to say how many homosexual Catholic priests there are. Study results vary between 2 per cent and 50 per cent of the priesthood.
In his article based on studies and interviews, Martin lists the challenges facing homosexual priests, such as homophobia and insularity. "It is difficult for homosexuals relying solely on Vatican documents and the language of the church's moral theology to accept their sexuality as a positive aspect of their personality," he writes.
But this difficulty has positive consequences, he adds: "Because of the isolation that many homosexuals feel, especially in early adolescence, they are often led to develop deep inner lives."
This "healthy spirituality" isn't the only "gift" of homosexual priests, Martin says. "The vast majority of homosexuals in the United States are acquainted with the suffering that comes from being a misunderstood and often persecuted minority. Being schooled in this unique experience of suffering can result in a profound sense of compassion and identification with the most marginalized in society."
Martin lists a third "gift" - creativity. "In this post-Vatican-II era of interest in the liturgy, in the craft of preaching, in the place of art, dance and music in the church ... might God be calling homosexual priests ... to contribute their own gifts in these areas?"
Spokesmen for two Canadian Protestant denominations had differing views on Martin's argument.
The United Church of Canada began allowing the ordination of homosexual ministers in 1988. Rev. Philip Joudrey, principal of the church's United Theological College at McGill University, said that he has many times witnessed what he called a "deeper level of reflection" in the homosexual community: "If a group of people suffers particularly ... they get a deeper sense of spirituality. The feeling of being out of place can also lead to a greater compassion toward different people."
The issue of homosexual priests is "very much alive" in the Anglican Church of Canada, according to the vicar-general of the Montreal diocese, Peter Hannen, himself gay.
"It even threatens a schism," Hannen, an archdeacon, told The Gazette in his skyscraper office towering above Christ Church Cathedral.
For the moment, the unofficial policy is "don't ask, don't tell," Hannen said. "Are there homosexual priests in Montreal? I am one! And I'm certainly not the only one. None are living with their partners on church property. But they can do as they like in private premises."
As for the "gifts" cited in Martin's article, Hannen is skeptical. "I'd like to think that the experience of suffering makes homosexuals more sensitive. But in my experience, I'm not sure that it has. I think sexual orientation is irrelevant to God."
Homosexuals (active one's, that is) have a unique experience of self-indulgence and incontinence. Furthermore, every man who's ever walked God's earth has experienced suffering to some degree or another, in many different ways.
The idea that homosexuals have some sort of mortgage on suffering is simply another example of their self-absorption. Does this "theologian" seriously expect us to believe that one needs to enjoy or desire sodomy to understand suffering?
and other queer feelings.
"lead people closer to God in prayer,"
Not my God!
"The question is not whether God is calling homosexual men to the priesthood, but why?"
If they had an ounce of spiritutal discernment,or spiritual knowledge they would know God is calling these homosexuals to repent !! Not be leaders in their church. Talk about being waaaay off track of what God or a Church is about. I can say in all honesty that I have come to the point whereas I don't even want to walk into a Catholic church again, never ever, for any reason. God Forgive them for their blasphemy.
Ugh.
}:-)4
He's just learning his chops. ;^)
During the 1970s and 1980s Jesuits became best known for their support of Communist Third World revolutionaries. Recently, a book has been released that makes the case that Jesuits are no longer Catholic (reviewed in a recent issue of the Weekly Standard or National Review, forget which).
Some years ago, I met a very pretty and intelligent young woman from Montreal in Paris, and when I inquired how it was that she was not married--she had a very wholesome attitude towards traditional family values--she gave me quite a sketch of the Montreal social scene. I have since heard confirmation for her description from other credible sources.
For the sake of my many friends and fellow Conservatives who are of the Catholic Faith, I can only hope that the Pope is not too sick to put an end to this sort of rationalized heresy--not only against his own Theology, but against every Western Theology. The hypothesis absolutely defies reason.
William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site
I can not imagine the best priests I've known being homosexual. and living in Boston kind of tuned my instincts (for gays in general, not gay priests I mean)
mrs VS
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