The Italian bishops’ association released new guidelines on its website that allow gay men to enter seminary schools. The guidelines will be put on trial over the next three years.
According to the guidelines, a seminary should consider a priest’s sexual preference as an element of human character. However, those who openly show off or practice homosexuality cannot receive an education as a priest. Especially, those who advocate “gay culture” do not have access to the clergy.
“The church deeply respects the person, but anyone who practices homosexuality, shows deep-rooted homosexuality, or supports the so-called ‘Gay culture’ is unacceptable to seminary and clergy,” the guidelines state.
The Vatican did not explicitly ban gay men from entering the priesthood. However, the guidelines announced in 2016 included that men with deep homosexual tendencies cannot be admitted to seminary schools.
The Italian bishops’ association said the guidelines were approved by the Vatican. However, according to the New York Times, it is highly likely that some national bishops’ associations that taboos homosexuality will not accept the guidelines.
Francis, the current pope, is considered the most liberal pope in history. Last year, Pope Francis embraced LGBTQ+ people by allowing priests to bless same-sex couples. Right after he became Pope in 2013, he said, “Who would I judge if a homosexual person seeks God and has good intentions?”
Pope Francis was embroiled in a controversy last year when he used the term “prochagne,” a derogatory term for homosexuals in a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops. In response, the Vatican issued an apology in a rare way, explaining that it had no intention of using sex-hating terms.
SOPHIA KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
