The Vatican has announced that individuals with same-sex attraction can pursue the priesthood in Italy, according to documents from the Italian Episcopal Conference and the church. Vatican Diplomatic Office for the Clergy. The document titled ”Formation of the Priesthood in the Italian Church. seminary guidelines and standards;” It was beginning It was approved at the 78th General Meeting in 2023. last month, of Vatican The Office of the Diplomat of the Clergy approved the decree. What I enabled That will come into effect.
According to Christian Posstthis document refers to a 2005 Vatican article titled . ”Instructions on vocational identification criteria Regarding person with homosexual tendencies in view of Admission to seminary and to holy command.”
”Irelationship with When people with homosexual tendencies approach a seminary or discover such a situation during their training, the Church, in accordance with its own magisterium, holds such persons in deep respect, but excludes persons who practice homosexuality from seminaries and seminaries. It cannot be recognized by the Holy Church. deep-rooted homosexual tendencies or support for so-called gay culture;” the Vatican said.
However, the guidelines that took effect Thursday mean that individuals of the same sex not prohibited After seeking the priesthood in Italy.
candidate The priesthood has the following duties: ”Welcoming chastity as a gift, choosing it freely and living responsibly in celibacy.,” was stated in the document.
of Vatican Approval of the document comes after Pope Francis said last year that “a derogatory word in Italian roughly translates to: ”“faggot” when discussing with 160 priests whether to accept men ”Homosexuals tend to attend seminaries. ”
he said: ”These include the need to welcome and accompany them to church and the careful instructions of the Holy See to clergy regarding their admission to seminaries.”
Nevertheless, the Pope also stressed that the Catholic Church should: ”be careful” so as not to ”despise people with homosexual tendencies” rather ”accompany they, Because there are a lot of good people.”
At the same time, however, Francis still held out the need to: ”Be careful when accepting them into your seminary.”
”If the young person seeking admission to a seminary is homosexual; tendency: stop him” he said this message It was submitted to the Italian Episcopal Conference a few weeks ago.
“handThat's what the clerical diplomat said about him. and I support, Because today, homosexual culture is very advanced. and There are good young people who seek the Lord; the It's better not to [admit them to seminary],” he added.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Giulio Origlia/Stringer
First publication date is January 16, 2025.
