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Pope Benedict XVI
Vatican tests to eliminate potential gay priests
"The test will prevent anyone who is suspected of 'deeply seated homosexuality' from entering priesthood"
The Vatican has agreed to a recommendation by the head of its committee that will subject any candidates for priesthood to a psychological screening.
The Guidelines for the Use of Psychology in the Admission and Formation of Candidates for the Priesthood state that the tests will search for personality disorders and inaptitude. The test will prevent anyone who is suspected of 'deeply seated homosexuality' from entering priesthood.
Even if a potential candidate is in fact celibate, they are likely to be rejected by the Vatican on the premise that their sexuality disqualifies them from exercising 'spiritual paternity'. Cardinal Grocholewski, a prefect for the Congregation for Catholic Education in the Vatican, said:
"The candidate does not necessarily have to practise homosexuality. He can even be without sin. But if he has this deep-seated tendency, he cannot be admitted to priestly ministry precisely because of the nature of the priesthood, in which a spiritual paternity is carried out. Here we are not talking about whether he commits sins, but whether this deeply rooted tendency remains."
In response, Ben Summerskill of Stonewall warned:
"It's a tragedy at a time when the Roman Catholic Church is desperately short of people seeking a vocation in the Church. What will they do with someone they deemed to be innately homosexual because of his strange gait or rather odd look and who turned out to be heterosexual?
"The Pope wears Prada shoes, which might end regrettably with some ridiculous cardinal making unfair suggestions about him. Exercises like these always end in tears."
