Vatican Guidelines Indicate Possible Path for Openly Gay Men to Become Priests

Vatican Guidelines Indicate Possible Path for Openly Gay Men to Become Priests

New guidelines released by the Italian Bishops' Conference on Friday suggest that openly gay men may not be explicitly barred from the Catholic priesthood, provided they remain celibate.

 This marks a potential shift in the Church's approach to homosexuality within the context of ordination.

The report, titled "Guidelines and Norms for Seminaries," emphasizes the need to consider a candidate's entire personality rather than focusing solely on their sexual orientation.

 It states, "When referring to homosexual tendencies, it's also appropriate not to reduce discernment only to this aspect."

However, the guidelines maintain that any gay priests must adhere to the same celibacy rules as their heterosexual counterparts, reiterating the Church's long-standing position on sexual conduct. 

While the Catholic Church officially teaches that homosexual individuals should be treated with dignity and respect, it also asserts that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered." The Church's current doctrine prohibits the ordination of men who "practice homosexuality" or support what it terms "gay culture."

Additionally, women continue to be excluded from the priesthood, regardless of their sexual orientation. 

Earlier in 2023, Pope Francis stated in an interview that “being homosexual isn’t a crime,” and approved blessings for same-sex couples, although he reiterated that marriage is exclusively defined as a union between one man and one woman.