Admission of Homosexuals to Seminaries

Finally, the Vatican document that many anticipated would ban gay men from admission to Catholic seminaries has been released.

New Oxford Review has an English translation posted on their website, here.

The document says,

In the light of such teaching, this Dicastery, together with the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, deems it necessary to clearly affirm that the Church, even while deeply respecting the persons in question, cannot admit to Seminary or Holy Orders those who are actively homosexual, have deep-seated homosexual tendencies, or support the so-called gay culture.

But, also, it says,

When dealing, instead, with homosexual tendencies that might only be a manifestation of a transitory problem, as, for example, delayed adolescence, these must be clearly overcome at least three years before diaconal Ordination.

I had hoped for a complete ban on admission of homosexuals to the seminary. At first glance this document doesn't appear to mandate that. However, I think the exception it makes for men who have "clearly overcome" their homosexuality for "at least three years" is referring more to men who may have been confused about their sexuality or were homosexual for a short time because of some other kinds of problems rather than men who are completely sure of their homosexual orientation.

The document also states, "If a candidate is actively homosexual or shows deep-seated homosexual tendencies, his spiritual director, as well as his confessor, has the duty to dissuade him, in conscience, from proceeding towards Ordination." I think this is a bold charge. We will have to see whether spiritual directors at certain seminaries or in certain religious orders follow this mandate from the Congregation of Catholic Education.

One line, though, is relevant to all those discerning religious vocations, including myself. It says, "The mere desire to become a priest is not sufficient." We also have to be qualified. In today's situation where many dioceses have a shortage of priests, it is tempting to accept whoever wants the job. The Church still has to be selective, though, and those of us who are discerning also have to keep in mind that simply wanting to be a priest isn't enough. We have to have the call from God.