October 10, 2012                   John W              John W's previous articles

     An elephant in the room:  homosexuality in priesthood and religious life    

Statistics show a factor that we need to be willing to discuss:
the growing percentage of gay priests and religious

This is not to say people with a gay orientation are "acting out".
Nor is it denying that throughout the church's history gay people have been heroic and saintly members of the church

But the figures show that in many countries, the majority of priests and religious are gay. In many countries the majority of candidates entering seminaries and novitiates are gay. The figures show that this gay percentage is increasing

As Donald Cozzens says in books below, this factor makes it less likely that heterosexual candidates will join or remain in a group that is predominantly gay. It can be a contributing factor to why some heterosexual priests and religious choose to live alone

This issue is a major reason for lack of vocations in the western world....yet it doesn't get a mention in articles on "lack of vocations"

If the present trend continues, the vast majority or priests and religious will be gay. This issue is not confined to any one diocese or congregation or nation. It is an issue for the whole church, the whole world.

What can any one diocese, congregation or nation do?
First step is to at least be willing to face the issue, be willing to discuss it.
Denying there's a problem is like denying a sickness....it just gets worse

Much material on this topic is in the excellent books The Changing Face of the Priesthood and "Freeing Celibacy" by retired seminary rector Donald Cozzens. 
(See the many comments/reviews at these links)

One possible option for dioceses and congregations: develop extended communities,  made up of priests/religious and lay people (single and married). Such communities would have a majority of heterosexual members - providing a healthier atmosphere for community living, vocations, ministry etc

See: Homosexuality and Roman Catholic Priests

See:  2013-02-28  Too many priests preaching the truth, but living a lie
- re Cardinal Keith O'Brien case

See: 2013-03-05  Homosexuality and the Church crisis

See: 2013-03-05 Catholic Church's issue is homosexuality, not pedophilia

See: 2012-08-29  Same sex-marriage and anal sex

In Google put "homosexuality priesthood" for many articles on this topic

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