Posted on 07/29/2013 10:25:42 AM PDT by Jyotishi
Rome, Italy: Pope Francis made a seismic shift in Vatican policy this week. He appeared to accept the service of gay priests who don’t act on their sexuality.
The implications can’t be overstated. It has the potential to influence the views of those opposed to LGBTQ legal rights in many American states and countries throughout the world.
Celibacy is a requirement to serve in the Catholic priesthood. Hence, it shouldn’t matter if the priest is gay or straight. Hence, celibacy becomes the key, not the sexual orientation. This changes much of the discussion.
According to the pope, “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” He added, “You can’t marginalize these people.”
The comments raise questions about long-standing Vatican policies that are spiritually and emotionally abusive. The predecessor of Pope Francis, Benedict, said homosexuality, “is a more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil; and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder." Of course, science has long rebutted the notion homosexuality is a “disorder.”
In his comment, Francis spoke to the personhood of every individual, regardless of his calling to the priesthood. In doing so, he has set the stage for a lively, much needed discussion about human sexuality.
Will the Vatican now take a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach to the priesthood? Will it permit celibate, but openly gay priests to serve? What message does it send to LGBTQ Catholics long marginalized by orthodox Catholics and conservative hierarchs, if openly, celibate gay priests serve the holy sacraments?
If a gay or straight priest acts on a need for physical intimacy and companionship, what makes it a sin, breaking the vow given to the church over celibacy?
If an openly gay, celibate priest is worthy to serve Eucharist, solemnize straight marriages, and perform the last rites at someone’s bedside, how is it possible two parishioners of the same gender can’t have a blessing of their union, though not called a marriage?
Will gay, celibate priests be able to speak out against such injustices as discrimination in housing and employment due to sexual identity? Will a lesbian teacher now be allowed to keep her job at a Catholic school?
Does acceptance of gay priests finally break the ugly, hateful stereotype someone gay is inclined to be a pedophile, long perpetuated by conservative elements in the Catholic Church, but disavowed by science?
The comments made by Francis have enormous implications, assuming the dogmatists in the Vatican, once they’ve recovered from their shock, don’t down play his words and reaffirm Catholic orthodoxy without appearing to disagree with the pope.
This will either be a period of holy revelation for Catholics or one of growing theological and philosophical friction. Either way, this may be a very exciting time for the Catholic Church.
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I don’t think this was meant to be a shift at all. He was just saying he can’t judge them soley on their orientation, if they are a priest now. That doesn’t mean they should be ordained going forward.
Wow, the main street media is evil... unless it is twisting the words of the Pope and bashing the Catholic Church. Then the press is sacrosanct and everything it reports is 100% accurate. Sheesh.
Cristian Brothers and Priests praying(D’oh) on young people Part II
This blurtation on the part of Francis I, grossly misinterpreted as it surely is, still constitutes far more than an inch. It will be walked back only with the greatest difficulty. But it must be walked back, lest the enemy be allowed to mold the words to fit his own schemes.
That's not really a"seismic shift" is it? I believe that was pretty much the position of the previous Pope and maybe the one before (i.e. you don't choose what tempts you, but you do choose whether to act on that temptation or not)
Very true, but you are far too optimistic even in this assessment. An inch conceded through a statement will establish a precedent that cannot be undone - a word spoken can never be unspoken. It will remain as an indelible foothold for some future anarchist to point to as a point of traction.
This is why the BSA will never be what it once was, even if they completely reverse the new unconscionable policy change made in May.
Preach it! The time for idle "grace talk" is over for now. We need to guard our tongues well and give the enemy no footholds.
Nonsense. A thousand opinions and a hundred million words from libertines and God haters will not change the teaching of the Church one iota. Book it.
“Priests face terrible temptations. Celibacy is a challenge for both gay and straight priests.”
Isn’t the biggest problem not that they are gay but they are petafiles and open the alterboys to the lawsuits now going on?
Those priest were it seemed gay and yet celibacy did not seem to restrict their actions.
We have way too many people defining who God is based on their own personal desires. The church needs to wake up and find it’s moorings. As a Protestant, I stand with me Catholic borthers and sisters on issues of Biblical precendence and tradition.
I’m am just pointing out the damage that is done on this temporal earth by a misstatement that is interpreted by the enemy as capitulation, regardless of the intent of the speaker.
homosexuality by its nature leads to pedophilia
sodomy is pleasurable because of the high from engaging in what is perverse. It is sexual thrill seeking if you will. once sex between men becomes “normal” the thrill is lost and a new taboo must be found to achieve the same high.. thus the desire for sex with children, orgies and even sex involving torture and death.
The Church has moorings since 2000 yrs ago
No priest is supposed to "act on their sexuality"; not just "gay" priests. They should know that already; but, it makes no difference to them. The "child abuse" scandal was a "gay priest" scandal. It was not reported in the media that way; but, that is what it was.
I have been trying today, to not start ruminating on whether the new Pope actually understands what went on in the priest sex abuse scandal. It would be so depressing to believe that; because, not understanding means it could happen again.
I agree. The "gays" have been very successful in making the discussion about the fact that they are gay and people hate them just because they are gay, rather than the behavior that goes along with the "gay" lifestyle.
But... but... but... in the first thread today, I was assured that the Pontiff didn’t mean what he said and what he said wasn’t what he said. I have a headache now.
LLS
I do not think that anyone has ever met one.
LLS
Absolutely and there are those that refuse to understand this an attack those that see this truth.
LLS
A thread I posted several months ago.
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