Thank you to those who have contributed comments to yesterday's blog.
At the beginning it was decided that this blog would not accept anonymous comments. In the context of what has been written and because of the specific subject these comments are being left on the blog.
There is an opportunity for good and charitable dialogue/conversation on the topic. The more transparent and open contributors are, the better sense any debate will make.
Again, thank you to those who have commented. Also, thank you to all those who have contacted me personally re the blog.
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6 comments:
Michael, thank you for that thought-provoking piece entitled The Sting. We are ‘fragile and vulnerable’ to the harshness of life, you say. I can identify with a phrase like that, and realize that it is a type of fragility, together with a sense of vulnerability, that made me hesitate to comment aloud until today.
I am repeatedly stung by the reported remark of Jesus to a person who, though willing to follow him, wanted first to dot a number of domestic Is and cross some family Ts – whether this involved saying farewell to those at home or burying his father. ‘Leave the dead to bury their own dead’ is the immediate and heart-stopping reaction from the Lord (Luke 9:60). Jesus’ forthright response indicates there is an urgency about the work he has in mind; he will not permit what is extraneous to that brief to be the cause of any delay. Why? Because the work is truly a profound undertaking: to ‘proclaim the kingdom of God’ – to ‘preach the gospel’.
Does the homosexuality of a bishop, priest or deacon militate against his effectively or convincingly proclaiming the kingdom of God? If so, this would constitute a significant barrier to what could otherwise be selfless, generous ministry of word and sacrament. If not, then any problem you have that the clergy includes some who are homosexual lies elsewhere.
Thank you for bringing the subject to the floor.
Thomas McCarthy
Thomas,
Thank you for your comment and wise words.
I have been 'out of action' of late and hopefully will be back to work next week.
Your comment deserves a reply.
I have no problem whether or not a priest is homosexual or heterosexual.
But I have serious worries about how men who are homosexual seem to develop elements of subterfuge. I am also struck with how men who are homosexual tend to develop 'systems' or 'attitudes', which appear to be 'pseudo-conservative'. I am of the opinion that there seems to be some link between closet homosexual 'behaviour/attitude' and 'strident clericalism'.
I am also concerned about the development of a homosexual sub-culture.
Because of the history of the subject and the 'strong' attitude of the church to homosexuality, it is inevitable that priests, who are of homosexual oreintation, are forced to be secretive.
There also seems to be a link between homosexuality in priesthood and misogyny.
Twenty years ago at a chapter of the Irish Dominicans I asked for discussion on matters dealing with sexuality. My request was dismissed and was a source of laughter.
I have suffered as a result of calling for debate and also for making comments on the issue. I am of the opinion the present provinical is not willing to engage with me in serious discussion on the issue.Indeed, the topic seems to 'out of bounds' for him.
I have seen first hand a man disappear off the face of the earth. I have seen another man die. Both these happenings have greatly impacted on me.
I believe that if we engaged with each other and were brave and prophetic enough to enter discussion, these two men could still be with us today, alive, happy and good priests.
In both cases we have been anything but prophetic. We have done what the church is perfect at - silence.
With all the bedlam that we have lived through in the last 20 years it seems to me that the church seems to have learned little or nothing.
"But I have serious worries about how men who are homosexual seem to develop elements of subterfuge. I am also struck with how men who are homosexual tend to develop 'systems' or 'attitudes', which appear to be 'pseudo-conservative'. I am of the opinion that there seems to be some link between closet homosexual 'behaviour/attitude' and 'strident clericalism'.
I am also concerned about the development of a homosexual sub-culture.
Because of the history of the subject and the 'strong' attitude of the church to homosexuality, it is inevitable that priests, who are of homosexual oreintation, are forced to be secretive.
There also seems to be a link between homosexuality in priesthood and misogyny."
Where is the evidence to substantiate any of the above assertions? Is it any wonder your Provincial refuse's to discuss this issue with you? Obviously he has the wisdom to realize that the are figments of your imagination, without any foundation in reality.
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