Expert: Tom Schott - 2/21/2006

Question
Hello Mr. Schott,

I am not that familiar with the Catholic church but I was just wondering how it is that you all allow priests to openly be gay and practice preaching in the church.  That just seems so WIERD to me.  Homosexuality is so blatently discouraged in the Bible (or maybe not in yours).  How can a person who openly participates in unnatural acts preach to me or anyone else about God?  How can they guide people who are troubled and seeking help and spiritual guidance, when they themselves are truly in need of some guidance.

I know that not all priests are gay but I was just wondering about the ones that were.

I am a Christian and am just seeking information, not trying to be rude or anything but just trying to understand.

Thanks,
Victoria  

Answer
Victoria,

 Thanks for writing. The Catholic Church does not forbid a gay person from being ordained to the priesthood. But it does not sanction or condone homosexual behavior, no more than it would condone promiscuity among heterosexuals. The Church considers sexual activity outside of the bounds of traditional male-female marriage to be morally disordered, sinful.

 The fact that sinful people counsel others is hardly unusual. Consider that a priest who is gluttonous, dishonest, or avaricious or a minister who is having an affair with a parishoner or who is stealing from his church is still capable of providing helpful spiritual guidance. We are all past the point of expecting the ministers of the gospel, whatever their demomination, to be free of sin like Jesus was, right? So I would think a homosexual priest perfectly capable of preaching the gospel and counseling people seeking guidance.

 I hope this helps and gives you a different perspective to think about.

Deacon Tom