New Vatican Rule Said to Bar Gays as New Priests

NYTimes ^ | September 22, 2005 | IAN FISHER and LAURIE GOODSTEIN

[I8NY]

ROME, Sept. 21 - Homosexuals, even those who are celibate, will be barred from becoming Roman Catholic priests, a church official said Wednesday, under stricter rules soon to be released on one of the most sensitive issues facing the church.

The official, said the question was not "if it will be published, but when," referring to the new ruling about homosexuality in Catholic seminaries, a topic that has stirred much recent rumor and worry in the church. The official, who has authoritative knowledge of the new rules, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the church's policy of not commenting on unpublished reports.

He said that while Pope Benedict XVI had not yet signed the document, it would probably be released in the next six weeks.

In addition to the new document, which will apply to the church worldwide, Vatican investigators have been instructed to visit each of the 229 seminaries in the United States.

[I8NY]

I'm not going to say a word.

[jimfree]

Oh, I'm sorry. Thought I read something about gay bars.

[NonLinear]

You beat me to it! Rats!

[brivette]

About time...

[dfwgator]

Since Pope Benedict took over:

The Cafeteria is Closed.
The Gay Bar is Closed.

[clee1]

I will. This is a NEW rule?

Just damn.

[kb2614]

How dare the Catholic Church act all,,,,well,,,,Catholic. Go figure.

[Mach9]

Now we get to work on some of the jammed "windows" Pope John XXIII left open.

[BizzeeMom]

about dang time...

[bnelson44]

This is a NEW rule?

There was an advisory previously. If this turns into more than that, yes, it is new.

[jimfree]

LOL. I don't often get to be first.

[Just Lori]

I don't think any of the gay priests out there did any advertising upon entering the seminary. It's good the Pope is saying that it's no longer ok to look the other way when it comes to this.

[Desdemona]

This is a NEW rule?

No. Not even close. But, there will be no more looking the other way.

[PLK]

Amen. This will go a long way toward eradicating future sexual abuse scandals by priests. Liberals don't like to face this, but the vast majority of the abusive priests did NOT fit the definition of "pedophile." Pedophilia involves "pre-pubescent" children - most of the boys who were victims did NOT fit that description.

This blight on the history of The Church was caused by homosexuals who took advantage of their positions of authority to lure and abuse adolescent and young men. Sickening, and I praise the Lord for this demonstration of courage on the part of His Holiness, our new Pope.

[Deetes]

And this is a big surprise to the Slimes ?

[msnimje]

The Vatican is opening a Gay Bar for Priests????

[Deetes]

And this is a big surprise to the Slimes ?

[A.A. Cunningham]

Finally, enforcement of the 2 February 1961 ban.

Advancement to religious vows and ordination should be barred to those who are afflicted with evil tendencies to homosexuality or pederasty, since for them the common life and the priestly ministry would constitute serious dangers.

[Salvation]

Vatican to Start U.S. Seminary Evaluations
Apostolic Seminary Visitation To Begin This Fall
U.S. Bishops to Begin Inspecting Seminaries
Prelate Says Gays Shouldn't Be Ordained
American overseeing Vatican evaluation of US seminaries says gays should not be ordained

Vatican to Check U.S. Seminaries on Gay Presence
POPE APPROVES BARRING GAY SEMINARIANS
Pope bans homosexuals from ordination as priests
Questions Arise Over Seminary Inspections
New Vatican Rule Said to Bar Gays as New Priests

[Salvation]

NYT is very slow here.