Vt. church will keep gay priests

The Rutland Herald ^ | November 30, 2005 | KEVIN O'CONNOR

[markomalley]

Vermont Catholic Bishop Salvatore Matano will stand by gay priests as long as they stay celibate and teach that "homosexual activity is immoral."

The Vatican, in an announcement Tuesday, said the worldwide Catholic Church won't ordain men who are active homosexuals, have "deep-seated tendencies" or support "gay culture."

In response, Matano said the statewide Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington would obey the instruction in regard to men in seminaries, but won't question Vermont's 82 current priests.

"For those ordained and who find themselves with a homosexual tendency, it should be noted that this does not affect the validity of Holy Orders," Matano said in a statement. "Priests are expected to be celibate and to teach that homosexual activity is immoral. If a homosexually inclined priest is celibate, faithfully conveying church teaching, this instruction places no added burden upon him."

The Vatican announcement is sparking debate at a time when the 148,000-member Vermont diocese is dealing with a clergy shortage and more than a dozen lawsuits charging former priests with child sexual abuse. Matano said although the instruction reiterated past practice, he understood the church's need to say it again.

"In addressing this sensitive issue, the church wishes to assure that those who are to be ordained priests have an undivided mind, heart and will in relation to fundamental moral matters so that they are able to present this teaching to the faithful with a true sense of integrity and authenticity," he said.

But the bishop added that gay priests who obey church teachings could continue to work in the state's 130 parishes.

"A person who has come to grips with his sexuality and is at the same time able to live a life consistent with the church's teachings as demonstrated by his actions and lifestyle requires careful consideration in the discernment of a priestly vocation," he said.

Matano declined a request for an interview. But the bishop, installed earlier this month, decided to release his first public statement after reading the Vatican announcement online.

"He read it in Italian," diocesan spokeswoman Gloria Gibson added.

Matano said all Vermont Catholics must practice chastity, be it married couples remaining faithful to each other or singles refraining from sex. He also called for restraint when considering other people's sexuality.

"Every person has the right not to have his personal issues made public," the bishop said. "One must be pastoral, discreet and charitable when addressing a person's human sexuality. A matter so personal and integral to one's life must be treated with the utmost concern for the person with a genuine effort to understand the struggles and hardships endured by the person."

The Vermont Catholic Church has spoken out against homosexuality and lobbied the Legislature against civil unions for same-sex couples. But Matano cautioned people against resorting to verbal or physical threats.

"Slander, unbridled attacks and, worst of all, violent actions have no place in this discussion and certainly do not reflect the call of Jesus Christ to love one another despite all the weaknesses and imperfections that are a part of the human condition," he said. "The instruction makes it clear that those who find themselves in a sexually conflicted state 'must be accepted with respect and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.'"

The bishop added: "When people are suffering and enduring trials, the church is expected to minister to them even if our teaching is difficult for them to accept."

The Vatican announcement came a week after an Italian Catholic news agency posted a leaked copy on its Web site. The Vermont diocese hasn't received any calls for or against the position since then, Gibson said.

"This is dealing specifically with seminarians — this is not going to turn into a witch hunt here," the diocesan spokeswoman said. "Sexual orientation is not the problem. The thing being considered is can you be celibate so you can donate your life to the service of God and his people."