February 4, 1986: gay priests and catholic hypocrisy. (From the Advocate Archives).Recent pedophilia pedophilia, psychosexual disorder in which there is a preference for sexual activity with prepubertal children. Pedophiles are almost always males. The children are more often of the opposite sex (about twice as often) and are typically 13 years or age or younger; scandals in the Roman Catholic Church Roman Catholic Church, Christian church headed by the pope, the bishop of Rome (see papacy and Peter, Saint). Its commonest title in official use is Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. in Boston and elsewhere have brought renewed suspicion of gay priests and revived the issue of whether the church's requirement of celibacy celibacy (sĕl`ĭbəsē), voluntary refusal to enter the married state, with abstinence from sexual activity. It is one of the typically Christian forms of asceticism. for its clergy should remain. In 1986 George de Stefano wrote an Advocate article exploring the challenges faced by gay priests and lesbian nuns. The church declares homosexuality morally neutral but gay sex as sinful. "While all Catholic religious are obliged o·blige v. o·bliged, o·blig·ing, o·blig·es v.tr. 1. To constrain by physical, legal, social, or moral means. 2. to lead celibate cel·i·bate n. 1. One who abstains from sexual intercourse, especially by reason of religious vows. 2. One who is unmarried. adj. 1. lives," De Stefano wrote, "the distinction between orientation and behavior has special significance for gay people." The conflict between personal autonomy and institutional demands makes the situation, in the words of one priest, "a real tightrope walk." Many clerics reject the dichotomy. "Many of us have decided ... that what the church teaches about homosexuality is wrong," added another. Yet some gay priests stay in the church because they believe they can help create change. As one priest explained, "I love the church, despite the faulty sexual theology.... The influence of those who choose to stay will be felt." |
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