VATICAN CITY, Jan 10 - In a notable development, the Vatican has sanctioned new guidelines issued by the Italian bishops, which allow gay men to join seminaries provided they remain celibate. This marks a shift in the Catholic Church’s approach to potential future priests.
Previously, while there was no outright prohibition against gay men entering the priesthood, a 2016 directive stated that seminaries should not admit men with "deep-seated homosexual tendencies."
The recently approved guidelines, discreetly published on the Italian bishops' conference website on Thursday, advise seminary directors to regard a candidate's sexual orientation as just one component of their overall personality.
"In discussing homosexual tendencies within the formation process, it is crucial to view them as part of the candidate's personality as a whole," the guidelines state.
The Italian bishops noted that they had ratified the document in November, and it is accompanied by an acknowledgment from the Vatican's clergy office, affirming its implementation for an initial trial period of three years.
Since becoming Pope in 2013, Francis has been recognized for adopting a more inclusive stance towards the LGBTQ community, even permitting priests to bless same-sex unions selectively.
However, the topic of gay men entering the priesthood has remained sensitive. Many gay priests report apprehension about openly discussing their sexual orientation.
Pope Francis has advocated for thorough screening of seminarians and has previously cautioned priests involved in sexual relationships to consider leaving the priesthood.
Last year, in a private meeting, Francis reportedly used a disparaging term when speaking about homosexuality in seminaries, prompting a rare apology from the Vatican on his behalf.