Gay priests in the Catholic Church, what's the big deal?

Question

Priests take a vow of Celibacy. Does it really matter whether you aren't having sex with women, as opposed to not having sex with men?

Is the vow itself such a light thing that the sexual orientations of those who keep it is of any consequence?

Or is it somehow mitigating if you break it with an approved party? Or blameless if the other party isn't a consenting adult?

Paulywog. You're missing the point that a faithful priest isn't having sex and all priests wear dresses.

Leia, how is oathbreaking NOT a moral sin?

Nice quote towelieban. But what's it got to do with the question?

Answer 1

I think it's because people have a fear -- and maybe rightfully so -- of priests not holding to their vows of celibacy. Unfortunately, people equate that with heterosexual priests breaking the vow with women and homosexual priests breaking such a vow with little boys. Obvious such thoughts are ridiculous, but that's what people think.

So, instead of worrying about the real problem -- some priests being pedophiles -- people think that it's "gay priests" causing the problem.

And yes, to answer your question, no matter what the church's official stance is, a priest caught sleeping with a grown woman will not be in nearly the same amount of trouble as being caught with another man, or even worse, a child.

Answer 2

Sexual orientation is not a matter, it's breaking the vow of celibacy. It's breaking a covenant that supposedly the Priest made with God and therefore it's in direct violation of their duty or post as a Priest.

If the priest breaks his vows, it's a given that he's had sex with a woman.

If he's had sex with another man/boy...he's committed not ONLY a SEXUAL sin, but ALSO a MORAL sin to be with another man which is against the teachings of the church.

Edit:
I'm not talking about the priest's personal morals that influence him to break his vows.

I'm referring to the standard of the church's consensus, the "morals of the collective," if you will. The catholic church and it's members looks down upon homosexuality and that particular lifestyle, that's why it's such a big deal when a priest is gay and has sex. The fact that he broke his vow, it really isn't the issue, it's how he did it and with who.
If it was a woman, they'd think, "thank goodness he didn't do anything worse" The other worse thing...would be doing it with a man.

Answer 3

You're right. If they're serious about their vows, there is no problem. Who you AREN'T having sex with isn't an issue.

I was in seminary for a while and was out at the time. A few of the guys snickered at me behind my back, but since I made it clear I was serious about a vow of celibacy, nobody ever told me I couldn't become a priest because I was gay.

Ironically enough, I got out because I couldn't handle the celibacy.

Answer 4

Living in celibacy, only in MY OPINION tho, it's against human nature, even if it is for the sake of GOD.

I am not surprised if there are desires to have sex with women or men happened to anybody incl, priests/nuns/hermits as nature put sex drives and desires in all living creatures.

I dont like to live or to see "style" of life in hypocricy and against mankind.

To me, human being has challenged to be better than angels.
We are equipped with body, soul and intelligence , yet angels (if you believe they are exist), are not equipped with those 3, they have their own"duty" done automatically.

I believe the idea of celibacy when it started, was noble, but as people getting more and more and the demand to have them (pastors & nuns)are more and more too, also the condition and situation has changed so much where churchs are not so powerfull anymore, I am not surprised there are lots of "sin" done by some.

Your question is good, I wish I can say, they should change their system according to the new condition like they change their clothings.

The main purpose of religion is to help people in any walk of life, to worship God The Allmighty and to avoid breaking law which was set in the 10 commandments, it was detailed in Bible then Qur'an.
Budha, Lao Tze, and Confusius also giving/showing ways how to challenge our life to reach the highest point of mankind.

Answer 5

If they actually practice their vow of celibacy, there is absolutely no threat. Its the few that have broken them and made the news that the fuss is about.

I will also say that people should never confuse homosexuality with pedophilia. I think that's why people get so upset about a priest being gay.

Answer 6

Sticky, question. It could be answered on so many levels.
I think that everyone knows that from time to time even priests cheat on their vows. Does it matter who they cheat with?
I believe it does to God, since God Himself condemns homosexual activity.
However, if a priest does keep his vows, then, well I'm not really sure. Can he minister to heteros equally as to homosexuals? I don't have a really good personal answer to this aspect. It's really hard to know other than what God has said about certain life choices.

Answer 7

The so called priests that molested all those children in the 50's,60's and 70's were all homosexuals

Answer 8

In Catholicism, we are obligated to avoid unnecessarily putting ourselves in tempting situations ("near occasions of sin"). In the priesthood, men work and live very closely together. A gay priest is like a pedophile pediatrician -- for someone trying to live a chaste life in thought, word, and deed, it is an extremely foolish career choice.

In a Salon review of "Straight to Jesus" (a book about "the torment suffered by gay Christians who entered a residential program to battle their sexual desires"), the reviewer calls "piling gay men together in close quarters" and expecting them to remain chaste "laughably daft and self-defeating" and notes that "affairs, relapses and defections are pretty common".
http://www.salon.com/books/review/2006/07/11/erzen/index.html

Answer 9

I agree, what is the big deal if they are taking a vow of celibacy? However, I think, depending on the situation and who is in charge locally, that priests are not as condemned for breaking the vow as they should be. The whole idea of this vow was really that priests not marry, not actually to abstain for sex. I think priests are often encouraged by superiors to have a "little nooky on the side" and then come to their senses. They are not encouraged to leave and get married.

Answer 10

Nobody would object to a gay priest who keeps his vows -- nobody would know he's gay anyhow.

The "big deal" is when they rape children. It's considered bad form.