THE Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has welcomed an instruction from the Vatican on admitting homosexual men to seminaries and the priesthood.
In a statement released on November 29, the bishops said they had received and discussed the recent Vatican statement.
“While the document repeats matters previously addressed by the Holy See, we welcome the clarification that the Church does not see as fit candidates for priestly ordination men who are homosexually active, those who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies and those who support ‘gay culture’,” the statement said.
“The bishops appreciate the careful and well balanced treatment of very complex questions in a document that is essentially an aid to the discernment of potential priestly vocations.
“The document does not call into question the validity of the ordination and the situation of priests in whom homosexual tendencies emerged either before or after ordination.
“It makes clear that all priests are called to live a life of chastity,” the bishops said.
“We thank all priests who give faithful witness to the celibate vocation.”
