By our Reporter
The Italian Bishops Conference (CIE) has introduced new guidelines permitting gay men to enrol in Roman Catholic seminaries, provided they commit to a life of celibacy.
In a notable shift within the Catholic Church, the guidelines permit gay men to enter seminaries, marking a departure from a 2016 Vatican directive that discouraged men with “deep-seated homosexual tendencies” from pursuing priesthood.
The guidelines state that a candidate’s sexual orientation should be viewed as just one part of their overall personality and not a disqualifying factor.
While the Vatican had not outright banned gay men from becoming priests in the past, this move signals a more inclusive approach within the Church.
“When referring to homosexual tendencies in the formation process, it is also appropriate not to reduce the discernment to this aspect alone, but … to understand its meaning within the whole framework of the young person’s personality,” the guidelines say.
However, it’s not clear if the new guidelines will be reflected in other countries.
