Vatican Approves New Guidelines
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — A provisional document recently approved by the Vatican and the Italian Bishops’ Conference opens the door for the potential ordination of openly gay men as priests.
This move allows for candidacy, provided the individuals maintain the traditional vow of celibacy.
Guidelines and Assessment
The guidelines articulate that when assessing candidates with homosexual tendencies, the focus should not be limited to that trait alone.
Instead, a comprehensive view of the applicant’s personality is encouraged.
This perspective aims to enhance personal self-awareness while promoting a harmonious blend of human and spiritual vocations among candidates.
Authorized by the Vatican’s clergy department for a three-year testing phase, the document has garnered support from Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, who leads the Italian bishops and is closely allied with Pope Francis.
Chastity and Inclusivity
In its guidance, the document emphasizes chastity as a conscious choice and encourages candidates to view it as a cherished gift.
Titled “The Formation of Presbyters in Italian Churches: Guidelines and Rules for Seminaries,” this directive received approval from the Italian bishops during their assembly from November 13 to 16 in Assisi.
With vocations dwindling in Italy, the bishops are actively seeking ways to ensure the Catholic Church addresses modern issues.
This includes advocating for greater female involvement in priestly training, tackling prevention of sexual abuse, and promoting the inclusion of gay men within the clergy.
Despite a longstanding 2005 Vatican instruction that prohibits those who identify as homosexual or subscribe to a “gay culture” from entering seminaries, the new Italian bishops’ guidelines seek to broaden the evaluative lens regarding potential gay candidates for priesthood.
While openly gay applicants aren’t automatically disqualified, they will be held to the same chastity standards as their heterosexual peers.
The release of the document has received a positive response from New Ways Ministry, a U.S.-based group advocating for LGBTQIA Catholics.
They view this development as a significant step towards eradicating discrimination, arguing it lays the groundwork for treating gay candidates on equal footing with heterosexual ones—a principle that, they believe, ought to extend to all LGBTQ+ matters within the Church.
The topic of ordaining gay men sparked debate last May when Pope Francis used a pejorative term regarding homosexuality in a private meeting with Italian bishops.
Although the Vatican later apologized, stating the pope did not intend to offend, his stance on admitting gay priests has been inconsistent.
He has criticized what he perceived to be a “gay lobby” within the Vatican and raised concerns over the commitment of gay clergymen to a celibate life.
Nonetheless, he also offered support to a young gay seminarian seeking guidance about his priestly aspirations last June.
Source: Religionnews
