Shocking as it can be, a significant shift in Catholic Church policy, supported by the Vatican, now allows gay men in Italy to enter seminaries and potentially become priests, as long as they commit to celibacy.
Italian bishops recently approved updated guidelines, detailed in The Formation of Priests in Churches in Italy. Guidelines and Norms for Seminaries [PDF attached], that open seminaries to gay men, marking a departure from the Vatican’s earlier stance. In 2016, the Church had restricted men with “deep-seated homosexual tendencies” from joining the priesthood.
In contrast, the new guidelines highlight that a candidate’s sexual orientation should not be the sole focus. Instead, it should be viewed within the broader context of their personality.
“When addressing homosexual tendencies in formation, it’s crucial not to reduce the evaluation to just this aspect but to consider it as part of the individual’s overall character,” the guidelines state.
It’s uncertain if other countries will adopt similar changes.
Pope Francis has been perceived as more inclusive towards the LGBTQ+ community since becoming pontiff in 2013. In 2023, he allowed priests to bless same-sex couples in specific cases. However, the issue of gay men entering the priesthood has remained largely unaddressed.
The Pope has also stressed the importance of careful candidate screening and has consistently urged priests engaging in sexual relationships to leave their ministry.
By Isaac Odwako O.
