I'm not sure if any of you saw/heard, but apparently in an effort to deal with their notorious pedophilia scandal, the Catholic Church sent out surveys to all its seminary clergymen. Ok, except it asked them if they have seen evidence of "homosexual" behaviors... not pedophilic behavior, but homosexual. Cause ya know, they're the same thing anyway right?
So I read that I think a few days ago, it was recent. Now today I log in to check my email and I have all these little headlines that I click to read quickie news blurbs. And I see this gem:
In case the link doesn't work: VATICAN CITY, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- The Vatican is about to issue new rules barring homosexuals, even those who are celibate, from the Roman Catholic priesthood.
A church official told the New York Times Wednesday the new rule will be announced within about six weeks. The official said the question was not "if it will be published, but when."
The official told the newspaper the ban would apply only to candidates for the priesthood, not to those already ordained.
The Times said the official has "authoritative knowledge" of the new rules, and spoke on the condition of anonymity because church policy forbids comment on unpublished reports.
Pope Benedict XVI has said it is necessary to "purify" the church after the notorious sex scandals of recent years. Vatican investigators have been directed to examine all 229 Catholic seminaries in the United States.
It makes no sense. At least they aren't booting out the current clergy or anything (yet). But does the Vatican care/know that heterosexual men molest and break their vows of celibacy with young children just as much as gay men do?! It's so absurd, that as they face less men interested in joining the clergy, that they would choose another thing to discriminate against.
Not to say there's a ton of gay men who go into the priesthood, I mean if you are gay, would you voluntarily assoicate yourself with an organization that thinks you are "wrong" and "misled" and now "the reason for the impurity of pedophilia within our ranks" (my quote). Probably not, but people do stranger things than that, so I'm sure some gay men do seek out priesthood as a way to deny themselves or try to be cured, I dunno. Also, how on earth can the Vatican weed out these homosexuals in their candidates? Lie detector test?
It's all so mind-boggling, I'm not a gay individual and the Catholic Church's beliefs have long been different from my own in many respects (some things I think they have right, Golden Rule kinda things), but this is rather offensive, IMO. To ban gays because you think it will stop the incidence of pedophilia is asinine, uninformed and narrow-minded... hmm no wonder the Vatican's doing it.
Last edited on Thu Sep 22nd, 2005 04:25 am by lil duratec
Pedophelia is not restricted or predominant in homosexuals...this is the typical, archaic views of the backwards thinking relious boneheads. (I am specifying those that are blind zealots, not those who believe in god).
I am so sick and tired of the homophobia in this country it's really nauseating. Mind you the Pope is not located in this country, but it's amazing what an effect he has here. I can safely say that we've managed to take significant steps backwards in our views of equality in this country. It seems to me that this increase of unacceptance of differences. It's sad and scary at the same time.
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
We all know when equality and acceptance to others' non-dangerous beliefs take leaps backwards that it results in peace, harmony and general contentedness in the society at large right? Or wait, do I have that reversed...
I'm scared of the way this country's going, I woulda thought we'd be more open and appreciative of folks' differences as we presumably learn more and grow, but I guess that's not what most people are doing, it's extremely sad
