Rather than focus on identifying bishops and cardinals who enabled or covered up for sexual predator priests who preyed on minors, the Catholic Church in Melbourne, Australia, is Hell bent to ID possible gay priests. Not, of course, because these priests have necessarily committed any improprieties, but rather merely because they are gay. Never mind the fact that most pedophiles are straight males. Likewise, never mind the Church's bizarre obsession with sex and the role of women as evil temptresses. No, rather than accept scientific and mental health knowledge about homosexuality the Church in Melbourne intends to rush off on a witch hunt married to its 12th century view of nature and human sexuality. Here are some highlights from the Herald Sun: *
Under the guidelines, potential priests who "appear" to be gay must be banned. The head of the Vatican committee that made the recommendations has made it clear celibate gays should also be banned because homosexuality is ‘‘a type of deviation’’.
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Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby spokeswoman Hayley Conway said the church was sending a ‘‘dangerous and offensive’’ message about sexuality. ‘‘They seem to be moving backwards in a lot of ways which is really unfortunate . . . especially for those who are Catholic and out, and there are a lot of them already struggling,’’ she said.
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‘‘If the plan is to root out pedophilia or child molestation, targeting people with homosexual tendencies isn’t the way to go about it.’’ Outspoken Catholic priest Father Bob Maguire said the document ‘‘flies in the face of secular society’s sense of fairness and justice’’. ‘‘The point is not to what gender you are attracted, but how you manage that attraction,’’ he said.
‘‘If the plan is to root out pedophilia or child molestation, targeting people with homosexual tendencies isn’t the way to go about it.’’ Outspoken Catholic priest Father Bob Maguire said the document ‘‘flies in the face of secular society’s sense of fairness and justice’’. ‘‘The point is not to what gender you are attracted, but how you manage that attraction,’’ he said.
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One can only wonder as to who will decide which priests "appear gay." Of course, from what I've seen of the Prada Pope who always keeps his handsome and much younger personal secretary nearby (see photo above), I'd speculate that Benedict XVI might fail the test of not "appearing gay."
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