The Italian Bishops Conference (CIE) has announced new guidelines allowing gay men to train as priests in Roman Catholic seminaries, as long as they adhere to celibacy. This marks a notable departure from previous views held by Pope Francis, who had expressed concerns about admitting gay men to seminaries due to the risk of them leading a double life.
Under the new guidelines, aspiring priests are expected to demonstrate a commitment to a celibate life. The CIE emphasized that when discussing homosexual tendencies, it is important to not focus solely on this aspect but to focus on the broader goal of priestly formation. The Church aims to foster an understanding of chastity in celibacy as a gift, which should be chosen freely and lived responsibly.
However, the guidelines also clarified that gay men who are sexually active will still be excluded from seminaries and any other holy orders. The Church reiterated its deep respect for LGBTQ+ individuals but stressed the importance of celibacy for those training for the priesthood.
In May of the previous year, Pope Francis was forced to issue an apology for using a derogatory term while discussing the admission of gay men into seminaries. The pontiff had reportedly used the word “frociaggine,” which roughly translates to “faggotness,” during a conversation with bishops. The apology followed public backlash, with the pope stating he never intended to offend or be homophobic in his language.
This controversy arose after Lorenzo Michele Noè Caruso, a 22-year-old who claimed to have been excluded from a seminary for being gay, described a toxic clerical culture. The pope responded to the young man, encouraging him to continue exploring his vocation.
Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has consistently adopted a more inclusive approach towards LGBTQ+ individuals, despite criticism from conservative factions within the Church. Early in his papacy, he famously said, “Who am I to judge?” when questioned about gay priests. In December 2023, he approved a ruling that allowed priests to bless unmarried and same-sex couples, further signaling a shift in the Catholic Church’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues.
SOURCE: theguardian.com
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