THE Italian Bishops’ Conference, in a move that apparently has Vatican approval, has said that men should not be prejudged if they refer to homosexual tendencies when they apply to be trained for the priesthood.
“Canon Law prescribes that the diocesan bishop admits only those who are considered suitable, on the basis of their human and moral, spiritual and intellectual qualities, physical and mental health, and right intention,” the Italian Bishops’ Conference said.
“When reference is made to homosexual tendencies, discernment should not be reduced to this aspect only, but should grasp its meaning within the wider framework of the young person’s personality.”
The clause is contained in new 89-page “guidelines and norms” for seminary formation, published last week for a three-year trial period with imprimatur of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Clergy.
The document says that seminarians should have, besides a deep commitment to the faith, a “healthy and well-structured personality” and verifiable “orientation to the celibate life”.
It says that those with “homosexual tendencies” cannot be admitted, under 2016 Magisterium rules, if they “practise homosexuality, present deeply rooted homosexual tendencies, or support the so-called gay culture”, but should not be assessed solely on their sexuality if they live chastely, not seeking to satisfy any desire for “possession” or “emotional and sexual gratification”.
Articles 2257-9 of the 1992 Catechism, partially amended under Pope Francis, describe homosexual acts as “instrincally disordered” and “contrarary to natural law”, but say that people with “homosexual tendencies”, while “called to chastity”, must also be “accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity”.
Pope Francis has sought to make the Church more welcoming to LGBT groups, introducing sympathetic formulations in his apostolic exhortations Evangelii Gaudium (2013) (Comment, 20 December 2013) and Amoris Laetitia (2016) (News, 15 April 2016), while supporting the right to same-sex civil unions in media interviews and urging RC bishops worldwide to back the decriminalisation of homosexuality.
In December 2023, he approved a declaration by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, conditionally allowing priests for the first time to bless same-sex couples, without a prior “exhaustive moral analysis”, which was welcomed by many Western church leaders but openly rejected by some bishops’ conferences (News, 22/29 December 2023, 5 January 2024).
In March 2024, however, he also issued a rare apology after using an offensive term for homosexuals during a meeting with Italian bishops on whether they should be admitted to seminaries.
In its new guidelines, the Italian Bishops’ Conference says that seminary applicants should undergo “adequate psychodiagnostic evaluation” to ensure that they are “free from mental pathologies” and open to celibate relationships with “women and men, young and old”.
It adds that, however, that its rules are being adapted to comply with the “important ecclesial renewal” promised at the Church’s 2021-24 “Synod on Synodality”, which made no mention of homosexuality in its final document last October.
The document says the new rules are intended to improve the “missionary character” of the priesthood in a time of change, and will be “open to future updates” in line with “ecclesial experience”, while also reflecting Italy’s “geographical and cultural diversification”.
It says that parish communities and women should be more involved in seminary training. Last week the Pope announced the appointment of an Italian nun, Sister Simona Brambilla, as the new Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life: the first such female appointment in the Church’s history.