Catholic priest argues that the Vatican does not ban gay priests
A Catholic priest has argued in the Vatican newspaper that technically gay priests are not banned.
Father Louis Cameli, a priest for the Chicago archdiocese wrote in L’Osservatore Romano, the official Vatican newspaper, that the Church “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.’“
The priest argued that a new document published by a Vatican office earlier this month does not amount to “a blanket prohibition of admission to the seminary or Holy Orders.”
The document, ‘The Gift of the Priestly Vocation’ appeared to reiterate a 2005 policy which barred gay men from becoming priests, as well as sexually active men.
Father Cameli, who has written extensively on the Church’s teachings on homosexuality, and who has advised at least two cardinals on theological issues, published his analysis on 18 December in the paper.
In his column, he wrote: “A person who supports the ‘gay culture,’ understood as an environment and a movement that advocates moral stances at variance with Church teaching, cannot at the same time be entrusted with teaching and leading the community of faith.”
Adding that a further clause in the document which bans men with “deep seated homosexual tendencies” is less clear.
Speaking to America magazine, Father Cameli said that “when the Holy Father wants to take a position against something, it’s quite clear.”
A theologist who worked at the Vatican last year said having gay priests ‘works well’ for the Catholic church.
David Berger – who is openly gay – said that over half of priests working for the Catholic church are gay.
His claims came amid heightened tensions over the Church’s anti-LGBT stance, after a Polish priest was sacked for coming out as gay.
