Gay men can now pursue priestly training in Roman Catholic seminaries, as long as they commit to leading a celibate lifestyle. The Italian Bishops Conference (CIE) recently unveiled new guidelines affirming this stance.
The Pope Francis has made a significant decision to change his previous view on the admission of gay men to seminaries. Previously, he believed that there was a risk of them leading a double life. However, he has now shifted his perspective on this matter.
According to the guidelines, aspiring priests must demonstrate a strong commitment to a celibate lifestyle.
The CIE stated on Friday that when discussing homosexual tendencies during the formative process, it is important to consider more than just this aspect alone. They emphasized that the objective of training for priesthood in the emotional-sexual sphere is to develop the ability to embrace chastity in celibacy as a gift, to choose it freely, and to live it responsibly.
The Catholic church, while expressing deep respect for individuals involved, restated its position that sexually active gay men are ineligible for admission to seminaries or any other holy orders.
In May last year, Pope Francis found himself in the position of having to apologize for using an offensive slur during a discussion with bishops on the topic of admitting gay men into seminaries.
In an unprecedented move, the Pope issued a rare apology in response to reports in the Italian press. It was alleged that he had made derogatory comments about the presence of homosexuality in certain seminaries, using the term “frociaggine,” which roughly translates to “faggotness.” The Pope clarified in his apology that he never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms. This incident has sparked a dialogue about the Pope’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero released a letter written by Lorenzo Michele Noè Caruso, a 22-year-old who revealed that he was expelled from a seminary due to his sexual orientation. Caruso also shed light on the presence of a toxic and exclusive clerical culture. Pope Francis, in response, reportedly encouraged Caruso to continue his pursuit in exploring his vocation.
Ever since his election as pope in 2013, Francis has made a conscious effort to embrace a more inclusive approach in his public statements towards LGBTQ+ individuals. This shift in his tone has not been well-received by conservative cardinals.
In response to a question about gay priests, soon after assuming the role of pope, he humbly stated, “Who am I to judge?”
In a significant shift for the Catholic church, a ruling was made in December 2023 that allows priests to bless unmarried and same-sex couples.
