Gay men can train as priests but must be celibate, say Italian bishops
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Move marks shift in views but sexually active gay men will not be admitted to Roman Catholic seminaries. Gay men will be allowed to train as priests in Roman Catholic seminaries, so long as they observe celibacy, according to new guidelines announced by the Italian Bishops Conference (CIE).
The decision marks a shift from the view previously held by Pope Francis that gay men should not be admitted to seminaries owing to the risk of them leading a double life. According to the guidelines, the most important thing for aspiring priests is to show “an orientation towards celibate life”.
“In the formative process, when reference is made to homosexual tendencies, it is appropriate not to reduce discernment to this aspect alone,” the CIE said on Friday, adding that “the objective of the training for priesthood in the emotional-sexual sphere is the ability [to] welcome chastity in celibacy as a gift, to freely choose and to responsibly live it.”.
However, it reiterated that while the Catholic church “deeply respects the people in question”, gay men who are sexually active cannot be admitted to seminaries or any other holy orders. Pope Francis was forced to apologise in May last year for using an offensive slur during a discussion with bishops about admitting gay men into seminaries.
The rare papal apology followed reports in the Italian press that the pontiff had said there was already too much “frociaggine” in some seminaries. The Italian word roughly translates as “faggotness”. In his apology, the pope said he “never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms”.
