The American Church and the Ban on Gay Priests (4 Letters) - NY Times

The New York Times
Editorials/Op-Ed
The American Church and the Ban on Gay Priests (4 Letters)
Published: October 3, 2005

To the Editor:

Re "Americans Plan Rome Trip Over Ban on Gay Priests" (news article, Sept. 30):

It seems that many monks and priests want to remain gay. But if gays can be allowed as priests, why doesn't the church allow married people to become priests?

It seems to me, a Catholic from India, that in the West the priesthood has become just another profession. In the East, we look at priests as men who have renounced all worldly pleasures for a spiritual and holy life.

If someone is not capable of dedicating his life to God, let him not choose the priesthood.

G. Joseph
New City, N.Y., Sept. 30, 2005

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To the Editor:

When John L. Allen Jr. (Op-Ed, Sept. 27) says the Vatican statement "no gays in the priesthood" really means "this is not a good idea," he's glossing over the intolerance and authoritarianism of church policy.

Mr. Allen confuses the famously sunny Italian disposition with that of Vatican officials.

There are reasons involving the use of power and fear that men whom he sees in private as "strikingly patient and understanding" present themselves as otherwise in public.

Tom Gorman
Newton, Mass., Sept. 27, 2005

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To the Editor:

John L. Allen Jr. highlights the essential difference between American Catholicism and that practiced in Europe. The American model has been influenced by Protestantism, while Catholicism in Europe has been much less so.

The European church is more forgiving, less dogmatic, and for this reason, debates over abortion, contraception and homosexuality are nowhere near as fractious in Europe.

Anthony Sweeney
Darien, Conn., Sept. 27, 2005

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To the Editor:

John L. Allen Jr. is right about what will happen with the church's expected ban on gays in seminaries. Church leaders will ignore well-kept secrets and gay men will continue to serve, but in a shroud of darkness. As a response to the child abuse scandals, this is madness.

It's not a culture of homosexuality that lies at the root of child abuse; it's the culture of secrecy.

Tom Concannon
Boston, Sept. 27, 2005

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