...And Just How Soon Will It Be Ignored?
The "I was just curious" excuse still works in L.A.
It's been discussed. It's been compiled. It's been promulgated. It's been approved. Now it's been issued.
What exactly is it that's causing such a fuss? The "Program of Priestly Formation" and specifically, the section on "norms for the admission of candidates".
...The Program states explicitly that "Any evidence of criminal sexual activity with a minor or an inclination toward such activity disqualifies the applicant from admission."
And in the very next clause the document addresses persons with homosexual tendencies. "With regard to the admission of candidates with same sex experiences and/or inclinations, the guidelines provided by the Holy See must be followed," says the document.
That statement, read faithfully, rules out admittance to the priesthood not only practicing homosexuals, but also those with deep-seated homosexual tendencies, as well as those who support the homosexual lifestyle. The authoritative Vatican document on the matter was released on November 28, 2005.
The document, "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", stated, "the Church, while profoundly respecting the persons in question, cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies, or support the so-called 'gay culture'." (see coverage: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/nov/051129a.html )
Now I know this is going to be a shocker and scandalous for many.... so be prepared for the next paragraph;
Despite the clarity from the Vatican, certain Bishops and seminary directors began in earnest to attempt to twist the statement to say differently. While such moves were relatively unsurprising from Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony and Rochester Bishop Matthew Clark, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the archbishop of Westminster in the UK, contradicted the document in an official statement. "The Instruction is not saying that men of homosexual orientation are not welcome in the priesthood," he said. (coverage: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/nov/05113008.html )
Wow, I'm stunned. How 'bout you? But anyhow, the battle lines have been drawn. Lots of posturing... lots of grand pronouncements. Will the pope stomp down with both feet, or will he just smile while being ignored? Now it's time to see if we really do have a Panzer Pontiff or John Paul-Lite.
Sorry if I seem cynical, but I just haven't seen much of any real substance happen yet. Mahoney's still in place. Law is still hiding in Rome. A new homo-friendly Archbishop has been installed in San Francisco. The Nuncio himself recently gave Holy Communion to the Butcher of Boston while the Cardinal of Washington, DC stood 2 feet away and smiled, etc, etc, ad nauseum.
When I start seeing heads roll, I'll stop being cynical.
The "I was just curious" excuse still works in L.A.
It's been discussed. It's been compiled. It's been promulgated. It's been approved. Now it's been issued.
What exactly is it that's causing such a fuss? The "Program of Priestly Formation" and specifically, the section on "norms for the admission of candidates".
...The Program states explicitly that "Any evidence of criminal sexual activity with a minor or an inclination toward such activity disqualifies the applicant from admission."
And in the very next clause the document addresses persons with homosexual tendencies. "With regard to the admission of candidates with same sex experiences and/or inclinations, the guidelines provided by the Holy See must be followed," says the document.
That statement, read faithfully, rules out admittance to the priesthood not only practicing homosexuals, but also those with deep-seated homosexual tendencies, as well as those who support the homosexual lifestyle. The authoritative Vatican document on the matter was released on November 28, 2005.
The document, "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", stated, "the Church, while profoundly respecting the persons in question, cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies, or support the so-called 'gay culture'." (see coverage: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/nov/051129a.html )
Now I know this is going to be a shocker and scandalous for many.... so be prepared for the next paragraph;
Despite the clarity from the Vatican, certain Bishops and seminary directors began in earnest to attempt to twist the statement to say differently. While such moves were relatively unsurprising from Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony and Rochester Bishop Matthew Clark, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the archbishop of Westminster in the UK, contradicted the document in an official statement. "The Instruction is not saying that men of homosexual orientation are not welcome in the priesthood," he said. (coverage: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/nov/05113008.html )
Wow, I'm stunned. How 'bout you? But anyhow, the battle lines have been drawn. Lots of posturing... lots of grand pronouncements. Will the pope stomp down with both feet, or will he just smile while being ignored? Now it's time to see if we really do have a Panzer Pontiff or John Paul-Lite.
Sorry if I seem cynical, but I just haven't seen much of any real substance happen yet. Mahoney's still in place. Law is still hiding in Rome. A new homo-friendly Archbishop has been installed in San Francisco. The Nuncio himself recently gave Holy Communion to the Butcher of Boston while the Cardinal of Washington, DC stood 2 feet away and smiled, etc, etc, ad nauseum.
When I start seeing heads roll, I'll stop being cynical.
posted by Kevin Whiteman at
5:27 AM
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