Paul Wilczynski's Observations

Open Letter from a Gay Priest

Beliefnet offers this Open Letter to Benedict XVI from a Gay Priest which begins

Congratulations on your election. I know that the Holy Spirit will be helping you over the next few years, and you can count on my prayers and those of Catholics worldwide.

But, though hopeful, I am a little apprehensive about your papacy, especially given your time as prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In this position, which you held from 1981 until your election as pope, you were charged with safeguarding Catholic doctrine, an important function of the Vatican. Even the most liberal Catholic understands the need for maintaining clarity when it comes to proclaiming the Gospel.

But what concerns some Catholics is the way that the Congregation often went about that "safeguarding." The Congregation has silenced theologians, removed priests and sisters from various teaching positions, and issued harshly-worded documents that seemed aimed more at punishing the faithful than inviting them to a greater trust in the mercy of God. Among those who have also felt punished have been women, lay ministers and, especially, gays and lesbians.

posted by Paul Wilczynski @ 1:54 PM