The Vatican upholds ban on openly gay priests

The Vatican has recently reaffirmed a longstanding policy that prohibits people with "homosexual tendencies" from entering Catholic seminaries.

Last Wednesday, the Vatican's Congregation for Clergy released a document titled "The Gift of Priestly Vocation," which quoted the 2005 policy that dealt with openly gay clergy members, The Christian Post reported.

"[T]he Church, while profoundly respecting the persons in question, cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called 'gay culture,'" the document stated.

"Such persons, in fact, find themselves in a situation that gravely hinders them from relating correctly to men and women. One must in no way overlook the negative consequences that can derive from the ordination of persons with deep-seated homosexual tendencies," it continued.

The document seems to be in contrast with Pope Francis' previous remarks when he appeared to approve the ordination of gay priests.

"If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?" the pope told reporters in 2013.

According to American Magazine, candidates for holy orders are screened by different church authorities, such as bishops, seminary rectors, and superiors of religious orders, and the 2005 guidelines have been implemented in varying ways as a result.

In some interpretations, gay men and those who were outspoken in their support for the gay culture are prohibited from entering a Catholic seminary. In another interpretation, gay men can enter the seminary as long as they remain celibate.

The document banning gays from entering the priesthood was created after the clergy sexual abuse scandal broke in the early 2000s. A letter included with the 2005 document stated that gay priests can continue their ministry, but they are not allowed to train seminarians.

The new document stated that gay men who wish to enter the seminaries must be totally honest with their superior directors. On the other hand, church authorities are required to discourage gay candidates from pursuing the priesthood.