Rome to ban gays as priests: very sad development, IMHO. As much as 40% of the current Catholic priesthood is thought to be gay. I, an Episcopalian, have known wonderful gay and lesbian and straight ministers, and the former have not been forced to hide or live what must be an awful lie. Sexual preference has nothing to do with a calling to serve, in my experience.

If we see gay and lesbian ministers walking in Christ's path, how can we not include these brothers and sisters in our communion? White Christians once excluded people of color from their churches, and I don't think many now would espouse that view as being 'Christian.' How do Christians justify excluding some people based on qualities apparently present at birth? Does the sermon on the mount only apply to some of God's children? Which are those? Which gospel contains the list of 'approved' Christians?

I'm not alone in seeing this as reflecting human failings - simple, sad and ever present bigotry, I fear - and not Christ's teaching:

'The president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., wrote in his diocesan newspaper in October: "There are many wonderful and excellent priests in the church who have a gay orientation, are chaste and celibate, and are very effective ministers of the Gospel. Witch hunts and gay bashing have no place in the Church."

'Bishop Matthew H. Clark, of Rochester, addressing any "gay young men who are considering a vocation to priesthood," wrote: "We try to treat all inquiries fairly. You will be no exception."'

Comments 7:44:09 AM    

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