From Hugh Ballantyne re Vatican document. (Letter to the Editor).Catholic Insight (July/August 2002, p.27)refers to the document Religiosorum Institutio, referred to in English as "Careful Selection and Training of Candidates for the States of Perfection and Sacred Orders". You are entirely correct in saying that this document was issued by the Sacred Congregation for Religious in February 1961. Unfortunately, there are errors in the C.I. mention of the relevant internet addresses. The Zenit address appears not to have the document at all, and the other address contains a misprint mis·print tr.v. mis·print·ed, mis·print·ing, mis·prints To print incorrectly. n. An error in printing. . If you want to find the document do the following. Go to Google. Type the search string "careful selection and training". Several good URL's will then appear. A few comments, if I may. Clearly the document debars the active homosexual or paederast Noun 1. paederast - a man who has sex (usually sodomy) with a boy as the passive partner child molester, pederast degenerate, deviant, deviate, pervert - a person whose behavior deviates from what is acceptable especially in sexual behavior from priestly ordination. By inference, the inactive paederast (i.e., a candidate who is sexually attracted to boys, but who has never yielded to the temptation) is probably also excluded. On the other hand, the wording of the document appears to allow that a chaste chaste adj. chast·er, chast·est 1. Morally pure in thought or conduct; decent and modest. 2. a. Not having experienced sexual intercourse; virginal. b. and modest homosexual, one who humbly accepts the moral doctrine of the Church on this topic, might be admitted to priestly ordination. It is a question of prudent judgement in particular cases. The document refers to Canon 1371 of the old Code of Canon Law canon law, in the Roman Catholic Church, the body of law based on the legislation of the councils (both ecumenical and local) and the popes, as well as the bishops (for diocesan matters). . That canon deals with persons who "are to be dismissed from the seminary". The final clause of the canon reads, ". . . .especially to be dismissed are those who offend against good morals and faith". Bouscaren and Ellis, in their commentary on Canon 1371, remark as follows: "those who do not seem morally and psychologically suited to the ecclesiastical state should be dismissed from the seminary". The commentary then adds, "especially any should be immediately dismissed who have committed a fault against morals or against the faith". That is to say, a seminarian sem·i·nar·i·an also sem·i·nar·ist n. A student at a seminary. Noun 1. seminarian - a student at a seminary (especially a Roman Catholic seminary) seminarist who commits a single homosexual act should be immediately dismissed. Canon 1371 is no longer the law of the Latin Church Latin Church n. The Roman Catholic Church. . In the revision of our canon law in 1983, canon 1371 was simply omitted. I respectfully submit that it should be restored forthwith Immediately; promptly; without delay; directly; within a reasonable time under the circumstances of the case. forthwith adv. a term found in contracts, court orders, and statutes, meaning as soon as it can be reasonably done. . Fergus, ON |
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