Guardian Unlimited | World Latest | Expected Vatican Ban Roils American Church

Father Benedict Groeschel often points out that to refer to oneself as "gay" is a further step beyond identifying oneself as a homosexual--to be gay is to be a part of subculture that in and of itself is oriented against what the Catholic Church teaches about sexuality. Herein I think lies the problem with even celibate "gays" being ordained or for that matter celibate "straights"...for someone who is celibate to be identifying themselves by their sexual orientation, is a pretty good indication that they face an uphill battle. A celibates shoulld be toward celibacy not toward having sex with men or women.

I have known genuine celibates who would not be married if they weren't priests or religious, neither would they be cavorting with other men. They are celibate...people who see themselves as sexually oriented are doomed to live a celibate vocation--faithfully anyways.

For what its worth...interesting that from a British paper this is seen as a problem for the Catholic Church in the U.S.

From Guardian Unlimited World Latest Expected Vatican Ban Roils American Church:

A gay American priest, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he feared
reprisals from church leaders, said he and other gay clergy and seminarians felt
``absolute horror'' when they heard about the anticipated ban.

``I've spoken to gay priests who feel demoralized. I've heard straight priests say that they're embarrassed by it. I've heard priests both straight and gay seriously
considering leaving,'' he said. ``They couldn't believe that after centuries of
either explicit or implicit welcoming of celibate gay clergy that the church
would turn its back on them.''