www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Why homosexual priests?

Since we have been advised not to go "all over the map" when inquiring about various sins in the BC Church I will be focused. Let us see if some straight answers will come our way.

We know the homosexual behavior is strictly forbidden. Yet, most of us know that there have been and may still be active non-celibate homosexualists in not only the Roman Catholic Church but also in the Byzantine Catholic Church?

Someone even said that homosexuality among the BC priests is as deeply rooted as is Kudzu in Georgia. I've spoken with enough priests and former seminarians to know that there is some truth to this. I also know that some bishops are complicitous in this behavior.

My question: Why?

Dan Lauffer

Dear Dan,

This is part of the "soul-searching" the whole Church is undertaking, with such sadness.

I was just listening to the news, and heard again the allegations that Cardinal Law knew all about Father Shanley, and his membership, and support for the "man-boy" love association! If this is true, and it seems that it sadly is the case, our only response is one of outrage, and grave sadness. This situation cannot be merely ignored!

If such people were (are) members of the clergy, and profess to believe that a homosexual lifestyle permitted to them, they are deceiving themselves.

I think the bishops of the Church will be addressing this whole matter in their pending meeting.

Such a priest, would certainly be an example of one who claimed to be a member of the Church, and yet dissented from the teaching of the Scriptures, the Apostles and Fathers.

Defining terms is helpful! Now you use another one I am not familiar with. What is "Kudzu"? I have no idea how rooted Kudzu is in Georgia, but from my experience in our Church, this is sad state of affairs is not typical of the majority of our clergy. In fact, I would not say it is not present in a significant minority.

Sadly, it seems, we would be rash to say that it does not exist at all. But I think the climate of tolerance and acceptance which may have been a part of another decade, will no longer be permitted. This is no longer the 1960's or even the '70's.

But I am not an authority on these questions, and I am only sharing my thoughts. I attend some gatherings of clergy, and have not heard or witnessed anything which would suggest that I was mistaken in my view. However, I admit that I would not be told how many examples existed which support the contrary view.

I think we must pray ourselves through this difficult time, not by hiding our sense of outrage and disappointment in the clerical Church. The Church must put its house in order, and I think we may assume that those in a position to act authoritatively are doing that.

Elias

Dan,

Your question doesn't seem clear to me. Are you asking why there are homosexuals who are priests? Or, are you asking why some homosexual priests are acting out on their sexual desires?

If the former, I presume it's because they and their community discerned a call from God to service as a priest. If the latter, I presume it's because they failed to use the graces that God sends them to deal with temptation.

Edward, deacon and sinner

Fr. Elias,

Kudzu is a type of ground cover that was planted in Georgia. It was know to be "hardy" and for that reason it was used where some undesired plants were located, and also to provide some erosion control. Sadly, Kudzu grows at nearly 60 feet per year! As a result, it has literally taken over where it was planted.

Edward, deacon and sinner

Father Deacon,

Thanks for the definition of "Kudzu".

Elias

Well, that seems to fully and sufficently answer Dan's question.

Next topic? Why do some priests steal?

Axios

Dear Axios,

And some priests gamble, and some drink too much!

I think the perspective that we must keep, is that priests sin. (not an excuse, but a fact).

However, the vast majority of priests are good sincere men, who are struggling to live holy lives, keeping faithfully to their prayers and their religious obligations.

The life is stressful, and there is much pressure in this way of life. Among the pressure today, is the greater sadness that ordinary priests feel, because of the betrayal by a few bad priests.

It is so difficult for priests at this time, when the evening news nightly attacks our Church, our vocation and our ministry (by association).

As a priest, I myself feel this keenly. I pray that the whole Church will clean up its act.

I also pray that the people of God will come to move past this, and treat priests as human beings. Priests too are sensitive, and these questions can be hurtful. Sometimes I think that the press has another agenda, and while there are legitimate questions that deserve answers; the press, with an anti-Catholic bias have found a big stick with which to hurt the rest of us too.

The suggestion that all priests are guilty, and that we are all criminals, or that immorality among us is "deeply rooted", is without foundation, as far as I know. Good people should be cautious not to take up the drum beat of those who hate our Church, or who are motivated by another agenda.

Human beings are fragile creatures, and priests too need compassion and support in this time. The authority in the Church has its difficult and painful duty. But we, the faithful, must care for the priests who are left. Who will minister to them, and help them continue the struggle to be faithful.

Elias

Elias,

Yes, I hope I was not misunderstood. My point was that you fully addressed this topic and we can now close it and move on to another. Thank you.

Axios

Axios,

I think you are being rude.

I would hope that thieving priests would be disciplined by their bishop and that those who reported them would not be punished. Yet it is just the opposite for homosexual offenders.

Obviuosly, if we are still agonizing over the issue it hasn't been resolved yet.

Father Deacon Ed,

You wrote:

"Your question doesn't seem clear to me. Are you asking why there are homosexuals who are priests? Or, are you asking why some homosexual priests are acting out on their sexual desires?"

I'm asking both questions and one more besides. A 1961 paper (I don't know which kind) from the Vatican instructed bishops not to ordain Homosexuals. Yet, our bishops have knowingly done so. We are not to have homosexual priests. Moreover, I understand that sins sometimes overtakes. But I know some priests and former seminarians who have faced the intimidation of coming out parties and the like and have protested these matters both to seminary officials and to the bishop in charge. Nothing was done. I know one priest and know of another who was disciplined because they protested with solid evidence the misbehavior of priests who were committing homosexual sodomy.

Moreover, the larger question is, do you think our bishops are getting or will eventually get the message that they are not supposed to ordain homosexual men and are to discipline those who act out their sexual fantasies?

Dan Lauffer

[ 05-12-2002: Message edited by: Dan Lauffer ]

Dear Axios,

Thank you, that is what I understood you meant, and agreed with!

Sometimes I say something in four paragraphs, when one sentence would have been better. Sorry!

Elias

Dear Dan,

Perhaps it 'was' the opposite for sexual offenders, but I think you are mistaken if you think that is the way the matter would be treated today. They would be disciplined by their bishop.

The climate has changed in the past few months. I think these examples would not take place today with impunity.

I don't think Axios was rude.

Elias

I pray that you are correct.

Dan Lauffer

Dear Father Elias, Hieromonk,

I just wanted to say that I don't think that most priests are unchaste. I don't think most are liars or theives or drug dealers either.

I agree with you that the press appears to be in a feeding frenzy because a few sinners have been exposed. It seems to me that there would not be such a reaction if most people did not think that priests as a group are generally holy and dedicated servants of God and His Churches.

The abberations in priestly behavior have novelty value and stir pruient interest and even just anger among the population. That combination sells papers and commercial time on TV and radio. The over reaction will die down as the public sees the Chruches deal with the evildoing of the few, in my opinion.

I pray that our priests, chaste whether celibate or married, will know that their sacrifices and their contributions to our lives are understood by the people that they serve. They are deeply appreciated by most of God's people.

I pray that our priests will find the same understanding and forgiveness from us when they sin and their sins become known that we receive from them and through their ministry from God.

Civil society needs to deal with the criminality, if there is such. If crime has been committed we must do our civic duty. The Churches' legal systems need to deal with the issues of protection of members from abuse. That may mean removal from ministry.

We as God's Church should be about healing all who need it because of our sins. I pray that we will all remember that removal from ministry does not mean removal from God's love or ours.

Steve

[ 05-12-2002: Message edited by: Inawe ]

Why is the sky blue? Why are theye gay priests? Maybe because they like the abuse they get, low pay, ingratitude, poor living conditions, but like to dress up in shiny vestments.
Come'on, generalizations and holier than thou recriminations are pointless. Some of the most beloved priests are gay and their parishioners either know it like a mother would, but choose to love them anyway. They feel for people the way no straight priest could ever. And they know how to decorate a rectory too.Yes, this may be a silly response, but so is the original query. Why would anyone go through what a priest goes through to get ordained, unless it was God who was calling them? Maybe God doesn't know they are gay? Or is the "call" only something one gets when their bills are overdo. Celibacy is the ideal. But hetero's who have girlfriends are no better or worse than gay priests who have boyfriends. Again, celibacy is the ideal. Let those who have not been faithful to any committment cast the first three barred cross here!

Dear Dan,

Just a request for further information.

I was in the seminary in 1961 and do not remember any paper from the Vatican that ordered Bishops not to ordain homosexuals. I'm not saying that there was no such order. It is quite possible that I missed it or that I don't remember it.

Could you provide more information about this directive or instruction?

Thanks,

Steve