The move is part of an unexpected adjustment in the way future priests are viewed. Sexual orientation will be taken into account as part of “personality.”
He Vatican approved new guidelines from Italian bishops for gay men to enter seminaries, as long as they abstain from sexual relations. This move is part of an unexpected adjustment in the way the Iworld catholic church considers possible future priests.
The Vatican approved the Italian guidelines for homosexuals to be priests
Although the Vatican had not explicitly banned homosexuals from the priesthood in the past, An earlier instruction from 2016 stated that seminaries cannot admit men who have “deep-rooted homosexual tendencies.”.
“When referring to homosexual tendencies in the formation process, it is also appropriate not to reduce discernment only to this aspect, but (…) understand its meaning within the complete framework of the young person’s personality“the guidelines state.
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What they say from the bishopric
The Italian bishops declared that they had approved the document in November. The text is accompanied by a note from the Vatican clergy office, which confirms that The guidelines are effective during a three-year trial period.
Pope Francis, leader of the Catholic Church since 2013, has been recognized for taking a more welcoming approach to the LGBTQ+ community and has allowed priests to bless same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis. But the admission of homosexuals into the priesthood remains a taboo subject. Homosexual priests often express fear of talking about their sexuality.
Francis approved the 2016 Vatican instruction, which was largely a update of a previous document issued by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. The pope called for careful selection of seminarian candidates and in the past has harshly warned priests who have sexual relations to leave the priesthood.
Source: Ambito
