Ok, I Am Confused ...

[pt_tangles]

Just a few minutes ago, I saw a story on TV about this Catholic preist who is 'coming out of the closet' on national TV. I am wondering to myself, 'why is this news'? Even if he is the first to do so (which I beleive they said he was), if he is a priest and is following his vows, then what does it really matter what sorts of people he would like to have sex with if he were allowed to have sex? If he is celebate, then what really is the point of this?

I heard some people that they interviewed saying that he is living a mortal sin, but isn't lusting after *anyone* a sin? I just really don't understand why people want to make a big deal out of this (and why this preist would allow it), unless it is only to stir up trouble within the Church. I am sure that there have been plenty of gay priests in the past (though, since they are celebate, I don't really see how sexual preference applies), but that part of life is cut off from them ... in whatever form it might take.

Am I just seeing this wrong? Is there something I am missing?

--Phae

Comments

[pjvj.livejournal.com]

I don't get it, either, unless he is "coming out" because he believes followers should not be condemned for being homosexual so coming out is his way of saying "See, if the godly can be gay."

Why the bruhaha for someone celibate anyway? Beats me.

On another note, I posted my interview questions to you. :P~

[pt_tangles]

Yeah, I think that there might be more to the story than we are seeing, now that I think about it.

And I did see the questions ... I will do those next (they are on the list) ~_^

--Phae

[curefreak.livejournal.com]

I will second this comment :).

I think it is to draw attention to the fact that "even" priests can be and sometimes are gay. The church still seem to believe that homosexuality is a choice, as opposed to a pre-disposed/pre-determined thing. Historically and probably commonly now, many people have joined the Catholic religious order as priests, nuns etc. in an attempt to hide their sexuality, or, in some cases, rid themselves of the homosexual demons by becoming closer to God.

[pt_tangles]

See, I don't see coming out as doing any good in that instance. I can see this becoming an excuse for him to be excommunitcated. On the grounds that 'well, he wouldn't have come out on tv if he had been keeping his vows'.

If it is for political reasons, I think that there really just has to be more to it. Why risk yourself and your parish otherwise? I can see perhaps if someone from his parish had been excommunicated over it (and he couldn't do anything to help), or if someone had found out something from his past and was about to expose him (lots of priests and nuns have sordid pasts). But if it were just about trying to support the gay community in general, there are better ways.

--Phae

[firefly124.livejournal.com]

He's doing this because the RCC is working up to a big official announcement that is rumored to essentially say, celibate or not, homosexual priests will not be tolerated, because homosexual orientation is seen as a "intrinsically disordered" state of being. At a minimum, homosexual men will be either barred or discouraged from entering the seminary.

My guess would be he is a priest who is trying to point out that, no, he is not "fundamentally disordered," and is quite capable of being a good priest, thank you very much.

Here are some articles.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4276912.stm

http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/article.php?id_article=1088

http://www.natcath.com/NCR_Online/archives2/2005d/101405/101405h.php

[pt_tangles]

Ah, I get it now ... that makes a lot more sense. Thanks, Firefly.

--Phae

[pendamuse.livejournal.com]

*THANK YOU*

If you're going to the plate, what difference does it make what team you play for. The idea that the Vatican is rousting out all of the homosexuals is self-defeating, becuase not only are you removing priests from parishes who need them, the paedophiles (who are hetrosexual) are still there.

What if Jesus were gay? Would it have mattered if he never slept with anyone as long as he was a) the Son of God, and b) spread the Good Word?

You're not seeing anything wrong. You're being logical about a situation the Church is being illogical about.

[firefly124.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.