Vatican Shows Frightening Ignorance and Helplessness in Handling Questions
of Sexuality. Statement on the Vatican Instruction "Homosexuality and Ordained Ministry"

2005-12-03

The fact that one of the first documents licensed by Pope Benedict XVI
discriminates homosexual men entering the priesthood is very disappointing
to many Catholics, not just those who are most directly affected, says
Christian Weisner, chair of the international We Are Church movement.

The Vatican Instruction on "Homosexuality and Ordained Ministry" ignores the
consolidated findings of human sciences, historical sciences and social
sciences.

It also ignores Jesus' own teachings and explicit behavior towards
marginalized persons and the prevailing purity codes of his time.

The instruction does not eliminate the ordination of homosexual men in
principle. Nonetheless, it betrays an alarming lack of comprehension. The
description of "deep-seated homosexual tendencies" as "objectively
disordered" is scientifically wrong and is a clear discrimination against
all homosexual humans.

"Once again this instruction shows in an appalling way the ignorance and
helplessness of the Roman Catholic Church in the handling of questions of
sexuality", says Weisner.

"It is also hypocritical. The instruction speaks of homosexual tendencies as
a transitory problem 'for example, that of an adolescence not yet
superseded'. But the rigid sexual ethics of the Roman-Catholic Church make a
positive integration of sexuality into one's personality rather more
difficult than promoting it."


The International Movement We Are Church is committed to change in the
Church's official and theological approach to homosexual people. We advocate
for the Gospel imperative toward marginalized persons, so that they are
regarded as fully human and equal members of the church, able to have their
call to ministry tested, and considered trustworthy members of our church.

Background information: We Are Church
We Are Church is an international movement within the Roman-Catholic Church
and aims at the renewal on the basis of the Second Vatican Council
(1962-1965). We Are Church was started in Austria in 1995 with a church
referendum.

The International Movement We Are Church, founded in Rome in 1996, is
represented in more than twenty countries on all continents and is
networking world-wide with similar-minded reform groups. We are Church
represents theologically sound the "voice of the people in the pews", as
international studies of renowned religion sociologists have confirmed again
and again.

For more information please contact:

C h r i s t i a n   W e i s n e r
Chair of the International Movement WE ARE CHURCH
Tel. +49 (0)8131-260 250 oder mobil +49 (0)172-518 40 82
Fax: +49 (01212) 528 973 498
eMail: media@we-are-church.org
Internet: www.we-are-church.org www.somos-iglesia.org