Vatican document praised

Chaput supports edict limiting gays from clergy

Jean Torkelson, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 30, 2005 at midnight

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Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput praised as "common sense" a Vatican document that greatly restricts homosexuals from the clergy, but he stopped short of saying he would categorically bar all seminary applicants who continue to experience same-sex attractions.

"It falls to every bishop - supported by seminary rectors and formation teams - to examine and discern the suitability of every candidate for priesthood on a case-by-case basis that respects the dignity of the individual," Chaput wrote in Tuesday's Denver Catholic Register. Chaput oversees two Denver seminaries that have 94 men enrolled.

The long-awaited Vatican document, released Tuesday in its official English translation, definitively bars from the priesthood practicing homosexuals, those who support the gay culture and those with "deep-seated homosexual tendencies."

However, many church leaders, including Chaput, appear to regard another passage as much less black and white. It identifies "transitory" homosexual tendencies arising from, for example, delayed adolescence.

Although transitory, says the document, "Nevertheless, such tendencies must be clearly overcome at least three years before ordination to the diaconate." That occurs about four years before ordination to the priesthood.

Traditionalists argue that such a statement should effectively bar any man from becoming a priest or deacon who still struggles with any ongoing homosexual inclinations, including transitory ones. They believe homosexual influences have destabilized the priesthood and contributed to the church's sex abuse scandal because most of the cases involve adolescent boys.

Others argue that "transitory attractions" shouldn't necessarily bar "mature, celibate homosexuals," said the Rev. Thomas Reese, a Jesuit and former editor of America magazine.

Under this view, "as long as the Vatican does not use the "O" word (referring to sexual orientation), its documents are open to such interpretation," Reese wrote in a recent e-mail.

Chaput appears to leave open a similar door, stressing that having "persistent homosexual tendencies" doesn't mean a person cannot be personally holy, but "they do make the vocation of effective priestly service that much more difficult."

Chaput doesn't explain, however, whether the difficulty he's referring to is being a priest with homosexual tendencies or whether he means it would be difficult to get into the seminary to begin with.

Chaput was not available to comment Tuesday, but his communications director dismissed the distinction as irrelevant and said celibate homosexuals would be considered like anyone else.

"There are no blanket statements being made by this," said Jeanette DeMelo. "This is something that is dealt with according to each individual throughout the screening process."

The Rev. David Wright, the prior of the Dominican community in Denver, questioned what the Vatican meant by "homosexual tendencies."

"The question is, how do you interpret that? This is going to be discussed for quite a while," Wright said. He added, "I think some of them (homosexuals) make excellent priests and the issue is really celibacy and recognizing God's call."

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