VATICAN CITY
LifeSite News
Claire Chretien
December 7, 2016 (LifeSiteNews) – A new document from the Vatican’s Congregation for Clergy released today reiterates that “those who practise homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called ‘gay culture'” are not to be admitted to seminaries or be ordained Catholic priests.
In a new 90-page document titled The Gift of the Priestly Vocation, the Congregation for Clergy wrote that those who live the homosexual lifestyle, support the “gay culture,” or have “deep-seated homosexual tendencies” “find themselves in a situation that gravely hinders them from relating correctly to men and women.”
“One must in no way overlook the negative consequences that can derive from the ordination of persons with deep-seated homosexual tendences,” it continues.
The Gift of the Priestly Vocation directly quotes the Congregation for Catholic Education’s 2005 document Instruction Concerning the Criteria for the Discernment of Vocations with regard to Persons with Homosexual Tendencies in view of their Admission to the Seminary and to Holy Orders. It stresses that it would be “gravely dishonest” for a man to hide his homosexual inclinations for the sake of seeking ordination and that confessors and spiritual directors “have the duty to dissuade” same-sex attracted candidates “in conscience from proceeding towards ordination.”
Lying about one’s sexual attractions demonstrates a “deceitful attitude [that] does not correspond to the spirit of truth, loyalty and openness that must characterize the personality of him who believes he is called to serve Christ and His Church in the minsterial priesthood,” the document reiterates, again quoting the Congregation for Catholic Education’s 2005 Instruction.
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