Vatican to Check U.S. Seminaries on Gay Presence

NY Times ^ | 9/15/05 | Laurie Goodstein

[Crackingham]

Investigators appointed by the Vatican have been instructed to review each of the 229 Roman Catholic seminaries in the United States for "evidence of homosexuality" and for faculty members who dissent from church teaching, according to a document prepared to guide the process. The Vatican document, given to The New York Times yesterday by a priest, surfaces as Catholics await a Vatican ruling on whether homosexuals should be barred from the priesthood.

In a possible indication of the ruling's contents, the American archbishop who is supervising the seminary review said last week that "anyone who has engaged in homosexual activity or has strong homosexual inclinations," should not be admitted to a seminary.

Edwin O'Brien, archbishop for the United States military, told The National Catholic Register that the restriction should apply even to those who have not been sexually active for a decade or more.

American seminaries are under Vatican review as a result of the sexual abuse scandal that swept the priesthood in 2002. Church officials in the United States and Rome agreed that they wanted to take a closer look at how seminary candidates were screened for admission, and whether they were being prepared for lives of chastity and celibacy.

The issue of gay seminarians and priests has been in the spotlight because a study commissioned by the church found last year that about 80 percent of the young people victimized by priests were boys.

[frogjerk]

"You could have somebody who's been in the seminary for five or six years and is planning to be ordained and the rector knows they're a homosexual," said Father Reese, now a visiting scholar at Santa Clara University in California. "What are they going to do, throw them out?

Yes.

[trisham]

bttt

[ElkGroveDan]

Next they are going to say that this will worsen the shortage of priests. Even if that were true, I'd be happy to drive 50 miles to mass every Sunday, knowing that the Church has been cleansed of this evil filth.

I also believe that absent the homosexual culture in the seminaries, many good men will return to the ranks of the priesthood.

[ElkGroveDan]

However, many homosexuals do seek out younger males,

Absolutely. If you have the stomach for it, flip through one of their magazines or go to one of their websites. Their ENTIRE filthy culture centers around targeting youth and innocence.

[CatQuilt]

"Goodbye, Good Men"

I mentioned this book to a priest the other day and he agreed with it. I was surprised at how matter-of-factly he stated it. He was ordained in 1990.

The 'sex-abuse' problem won't be solved till they sweep out the seminaries...

[CatQuilt]

The issue of gay seminarians and priests has been in the spotlight because a study commissioned by the church found last year that about 80 percent of the young people victimized by priests were boys.

Can you read?

[mosquitobite]

I grew up Catholic. One thing I've debated with my father since Santorums comments is this: I disagree with Santorum. It was not "liberalism" that caused the Catholic church's problems. In fact, I'd say kinda the opposite. Here's my take: agree or disagree?

Most priests I know are at least 70 or 80 years old. Sure some are younger, but the MAJORITY of priests today, I'd say are old. Back when they joined the priesthood, homosexuality was a social NO NO. Your options in the 50s and before were to get married or become a priest. Therefore MANY closeted homosexuals went into priesthood because they could "hide" their sexuality.

Thing is, priests take the vow of chastity. Doesn't matter if they are hetero or homosexual, priests shouldn't be having sex - PERIOD. That is the vow they took.

Anyhow, now that being gay is more accepted today, I don't see it being as big of an issue.

And I think where the church messed up was letting these men stay in the priesthood. They broke their vows. PERIOD.

[xsmommy]

exactly. it is as simple as that. not only will the sex abuse problem be solved, but the priest shortage will miraculously be solved also.

[xsmommy]

It was not "liberalism" that caused the Catholic church's problems

you are absolutely incorrect. read the book. "Goodbye, Good Men." period.

[Clemenza]

Uh, most of the cases involved 15 and 16 year olds. That's not pedophilia. It is well documented that many seminaries are dominated by homosexuals. I had many "Father Liberaces" at my high school in my youth.

[mosquitobite]

So you're saying no one was gay before liberalism?

[xsmommy]

i am saying you are not in any position to discuss this knowledgeably until you read that book.

[mosquitobite]

So Michael S Rose is the know all be all? Come on.

Here from my search on the book.

Why are so many seminaries empty? Michael S. Rose has the courage – a courage that many Church leaders lack – of giving us the fearful but uncontestable answer: because vice has penetrated into many of them, and those who do not condone vice are excluded."

I call BULLSHIT.

The reason they are empty is NOT because all that are left are immoral and homosexual and pedophiles. Come on!

If they are more empty now it gives my argument even MORE backing! Homosexuality used to be taboo. To avoid that stigma, they went into the priesthood. Now that they can practice homosexuality more openly in society, there is no need to become a priest. Therefore, empty seminaries.

Liberalism has HELPED the Catholic church purge this filth from its ranks by giving them somewhere else to go. Good, bad, or indifferent.

In the end, it's not about homosexuality in the priesthood. If it was a priest having sex with the nuns it would be the same for me. Priests take a vow of chastity. Even if they were gay, if they kept their vows, this wouldn't be an issue.

[xsmommy]

oh read a tidbit ABOUT the book, and that qualifies you to speak knowledgeably? i don't think so. you can call whatever you like but if you don't read the book, you are speaking directly from your nether regions on this matter;

[mosquitobite]

I spent 12 years in a Catholic school, so I do have a bit of experience on the topic. K, thanks!

[xsmommy]

oh for heaven's sake, 12 years in a public school? please.

[mosquitobite]

Are you even a Catholic?

[xsmommy]

sorry i meant to say Catholic school. attending a catholic school from cradle to grave doesn't really stack up against the author's in depth research on this topic. you can speak to one school in one community. you are certainly free to express your OPINION but that is all it is.

[xsmommy]

i wasn't just raised catholic, as you claim, i AM one, and a practicing one, not a catholic in name only. not that i need to present any bona fides to you, but i have KIDS In catholic grade schools and high school. i get the feeling you just graduated.

[mosquitobite]

So I'm supposed to believe because he did research that all seminaries are full of evil homosexual priests who sit around discussing how to keep out the heterosexual ones so they can prey on children. RIIIIIGHT. That's why I asked if you were a Catholic.