After exposé, Vicariate of Rome asks clergy leading 'double lives' to leave priesthood

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Comments: 33

Rome, Italy, Jul 23, 2010 / 12:10 pm (CNA).- After an Italian media report exposed sexual activity by gay priests in Rome, the Vicariate of Rome responded quickly by calling on all priests who are leading such "double lives" to come out and leave the priesthood for the good of the Church community.

The Italian weekly magazine Panorama ran a feature story on Friday morning titled, "The wild nights of gay priests." The article tracks three supposed priests, monitoring their behavior in gay nightclubs and soliciting them for sexual encounters by way of male prostitutes hired by the magazine.

The author, Carmelo Abbate, claims to have everything on tape, including the sexual acts and the same priests celebrating Mass. Panorama, considered a socialist magazine, has set up priests before using false requests for the Sacrament of Confession to "poll" what they teach on moral or political issues and then publish the results.

In response to Friday's story, the Vicariate of Rome, the office which assists the Pope in running the Diocese of Rome, released a message stating that "the purpose of the article is obvious: to create scandal, defame all priests ... discredit the church and - in another way - put pressure on that part of the Church defined by them as 'intransigent, that strives not to face the reality' of homosexual priests."

Not denying the information in the article, the vicariate said that the Church community cannot help but feel "sorrow and dismay" at seeing the report, knowing its priests intimately "not by their 'double lives,' but with a 'single life,' happy and joyful, consistent with their vocation, given to God and the service of the people, committed to living and witnessing to the Gospel and model of morality for all."

Because the Panorama article painted the 1,300 priests of the Diocese of Rome using gross generalizations, the vicariate replied that the essence of the Church of Rome is not found in those with "'double lives,' who haven't understood what 'Catholic priesthood' (is) and should not have become priests."

"Know," the statement continued, "that no one forces them to remain priests, exploiting only the benefits."

"Coherence would require them to come into the open. We don't wish to hurt them, but we cannot accept that due to their behavior the integrity of the all the rest might be tarnished."

"Before such facts," the vicariate asserted, "we firmly adhere to what the Holy Father Benedict XVI has repeated several times in recent months: 'the sins of priests' call us all back to conversion of heart and life and to be vigilant so as not to 'pollute the faith and Christian life, damaging the integrity of the Church, weakening her capacity of prophecy and testimony, tarnishing the beauty of her face'."

Comments: 33

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Elaine
India 08/06/2010 02:31 PM EST

After veiwing several view points, I conclude that the sacraments encompass human beings from all walks of life...In holy Matrimony we have rampant homosexuality and other sexual perversions inspite of having natural outlets for natural sex - yet we are ready to point fingers at Holy Orders when we fall within the same bracket - how many of us married people break our vows time and time again when it is easier for us to resist temptation? So let us not judge so we may not be judged and let us not point at the beam in our brother's eye when there maybe a bigger one in our own. God has given each one a free will and how good we are or not is for him n Him alone to judge.... if we believe in the infallibility of the church where morals and religion is concerned then let us practice what is preached - irrespective if it is practised or not by the preacher.... like a father advicing his kids..."do as i tell you; dont do as i do!" If we believe in the infallibility of the Church...the future of this aspect will and could depend on believing what is preached and not how it is practiced - all human beings can err 70 times 7 - it is for God alone to judge each one of us. e of us ebc

Published by: H.J.D'Cruz
Pakistan 07/30/2010 02:40 AM EST

What were the parishioners doing and why did they not protest for such behaviour. One can easily judge the behaviour and body language of a gay. It could also be a media stunt to make headlines.

Published by: Paul wbr
Uganda 07/28/2010 11:15 AM EST

Homosexual or heterosexual to a Catholic priest is degrading the Catholic Church. Many priests now have resorted to secrete relationships with women and girls. The issue is , if a priest can not tame his urge let him leave.

Published by: Winston D'Cruz
Australia 07/27/2010 05:36 AM EST

Justification comes from the spirit & not the Flesh. For if you live by the flesh you will die. Therefore the church needs holy & pure of heart & mind priests to nurture the needs of its faithful. The church is here to preserve God's intentions & it is not for man to tailor God to suit his own selfish needs.

Published by: kaythegardener
USA 07/26/2010 05:43 AM EST

It's not just nightclubbing gay priests that are a bad example. So are hetero priests who do likewise... And as for the complicit Bishops in the clerical abuse coverups, just look at the highly paid lifestyle in Rome of Cardinal Law, formerly of Boston!!

Published by: Charles A James
United Kingdom 07/26/2010 04:31 AM EST

The history of the Church does reveal moral laxity among the clergy. St Norbert was one who worked to reform the lax lives of clergy. Every era within the Church has it own problems to face. The time is now here for the leadership within the Church to be more open about immorality within the clergy. It is also a time when all Catholics, clergy and religious, fathers and mothers, husbands, wives and children must renew their faith and live it. The Church is a penitential Church and we must keep our friendship with God alive. I trust that our pastors will rise to the occasion and give their people all the necessary helps for them to persevere in their faith.

Published by: Brian
Ottawa, Ont. Canada 07/25/2010 09:36 PM EST

What is required is a St. Michael the Archangel to drive the DEVILS out of the Church! Pray that he soon comes to aid or the Church and the followers of Jesus.

Published by: Donald J Chakras
Zambia 07/25/2010 02:33 PM EST

Priesthood is almost like signing a contract to do a certain job under agreed to conditions - if you cannot fulfill the contract that you have personally signed then you should break the contract and and give a chance to someone more worthy who can help to bring the Kingdom of God to Earth

Published by: Theresa Henderson
Lake Orion MI USA 07/25/2010 02:06 PM EST

Do we think that these sexual issues were NOT a problem at the time of the New Church? How about at the time of Moses? Moses told the People "Moreover the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live. Duet. 30:6 and "So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer" Duet 10:16 What an odd image, since what a circumcision is, seemingly has nothing to do with the heart part of the body. So what's it mean? In the Bible the "heart" is the seat of the will. If the will is in the flesh, then the will is not in control of the wearer of the flesh. The person with the uncircumcised heart is one whose physical inclinations rule him, or her. So, that means to NOT let the animal body rule the soul which holds the likeness and image of God in Free Will. One poster above really understands. He is marked by Trust in Jesus. Because of that Trust, his praise will not be from only men, his shall be from God. His is not a suffering alone, for his suffering, willed by him to be united to Christ's on Calvary, will net untold mercies for himself and for others. This is how members of the Body of Christ are united. Selflessness, as Jesus is selfless, is the glue that holds us together.

Published by: stacy
charlotte, nc 07/25/2010 12:24 PM EST

Chaste Alex: Thank you for your beautiful witness to purity and the sacrifice, out of love for Jesus, that it costs you. As a married mother, I know we are ALL called to be chaste within our state in life. You are in my prayers. To Alex L. AMEN!!!! To David: Report your priest to Rome or your bishop.

Published by: Sr. Christiana
Nigeria 07/25/2010 12:14 PM EST

The church remain Catholic,not even the scandal of her clergy can remove that dignity which Christ Himself bestowed upon the church.We must continue to pray for the clergy, the devil is really working hard to pull everyone down, but God's infinite mercy will accompany each of us. may our Good God forgive all our sins and protect each of us from the powerof satanic behaviour.

Published by: Blackie
Florida 07/25/2010 10:00 AM EST

It's a socialist rag with an agenda. That's the first thing to recognize. Secondly, realize that these guys are only 3, though there may be more. MOST priests are squared away guys. The Vicariate is right on to call on them to leave. It is also correct that we should be always praying for our priests because every evil in the cosmos seeks to do them harm.

Published by: Rene Evidente
Philippines 07/24/2010 10:51 PM EST

It is impossible not to spot homosexuals in seminaries during their more than 5 years of stay there. Please weed them out right there before they scandalize the Church and the faithful.

Published by: TeaPot562
Los Alamitos, Calif., USA 07/24/2010 05:01 PM EST

As concerned laymen, it is our duty to pray for the priests who serve us. As a group, it is often said that we deserve the politicians that we elect to office. Maybe you and I do not deserve some of them, but as a collective or corporate entity, we do. Similarly, if we fail to pray for our priests and bishops, it should not surprise that some fall into sin. Again, we need to pray for our clergy on a regular basis. TeaPot562

Published by: Fr. Basil
Phoenix, AZ, USA 07/24/2010 12:09 PM EST

Were those indulging in heterosexual fornication told to leave the priesthood, too? Or do people think somehow that heterosexual promiscuity is morally better than homosexual promiscuity? Chastity is chastity, whether you're giving up boys or giving up girls. Finally, we don't get to choose our temptations.

Published by: David
TX 07/24/2010 11:13 AM EST

Jesus handpicked 12 Apostles and one was a devil, and Jesus knew it. It is not just the clergy; this principle applies to the church as a body as well. At least 1 out of every 12 persons who claims to be a brother or sister in Christ isn't. They are wolves in sheep's clothing who seek to hurt, discourage, and destroy the Church. Two of the U.S. legislators honored by Planned Parenthood this week claim to be Catholic! Of course the forces of evil, who seek to tear down the church, will focus and highlight each modern day Judas. It shakes the faith of marginal Christians and those seeking the truth. Much prayer and fasting for their conversion is needed. Believing that graduating from seminary and being ordained as a priest insulates a spiritual physician from spiritual diseases is as foolish as believing that a medical doctor graduating from medical school and being licensed to practice medicine insulates him from the physical diseases he treats. It doesn't, in fact; it makes them more susceptible if they do not actively take actions to protect themselves. I would be willing to guess that the priests featured in the article have a marginal or non-existent prayer life. Therefore, much prayer and fasting is needed for their conversion and for the flocks that they are failing to shepherd or consuming.

Published by: george mayol
philippines 07/24/2010 10:28 AM EST

Indeed the smoke of Satan has entered the summit of the Church. Kyrie eleison.

Published by: Francis F
Silver Spring, MD, USA 07/24/2010 10:08 AM EST

Jeannie Guzman: I'm not sure what calculator you were using, but 3 / 1300 = .0023, or 0.23% - not 2.3%. Unfortunately, I suspect you're right, however, that these three priests are not the sole instances of the problem. 97% sounds incredibly high even for the '60s and '70s, when the problem in the seminaries was at its worst; and from what I understand the situation is considerably better now than it was then. Without much to go on except personal narrative for statistical evidence, I'd take a guess that the gay subculture still involves about 10-20% of seminarians, sadly...

Published by: DavidW
BronxnNY,USA 07/24/2010 07:27 AM EST

This reflects badly not entirely on homosexuals (those who strongly feel attracted to the same sex) or on the Church. It simply exposes these men in particular. The Diocese of Rome is correct no one forces them to be priest, they simply want to have the best of both worlds with out actually being true to any one of them. Catholics do not need to be ashamed and homosexuals (like the rest of us trying to stay chaste in every concievable sexual desire) do not have to feel shame either. I am tired of beating up on homosexuals and I am exhausted with these anti-Catholic communications which are just evil and so immature that they really are not worth chasing and correcting anymore. If it is not Galelio who the secularist now want to make a "secular saint", it's the Inquistion which I cannot imagine someone lamenting in a bar or anywhere in 2010 or the Crusades. They have proven themselves, not the Church and not chaste homosexuals or chaste heterosexuals as the evil ones in their persistant accusations and attacks. The Diocese needs to see the evidence and defrock these so called priest immediately, do not waste time. These are merely oppurtunist looking to preserve their lives. GET RID OF THEM IMMEDIATELY! IT IS THAT SIMPLE!

Published by: Magistra Bona
San Francisco, CA 07/24/2010 12:45 AM EST

Our priests are in as much turmoil as we are over the sense of betrayal that this exposing of sin has caused. Please pray for them. Remember, also, that the gift of Holy Orders, once conferred, does not evaporate; and remember that priests who leave active ministry are still priests--albeit laicized. How can the Church creatively use their presence when they have left the priesthood? Can we afford to just throw away priests? If a priest leaves, he should leave for a better situation than living a lie. No priest should be vilified for doing the right thing. The Church and its theologians need to honor the conscientious decision to leave while respecting the sacrament that leaves with those men.

Published by: Patricia Cornell
St. Louis, MO 07/23/2010 11:56 PM EST

Anyone who knows a gay priest and does not report same to his bishop until action is taken, is in danger of his soul. I will pray for the person who made that comment.

Published by: frank
Canada 07/23/2010 10:23 PM EST

Why should a gay person want to bother being a faithful Catholic if there's a flip-a-coin chance that the clergyman on the other side of the rail is gay and possibly practicing? I'm also tired of the gay laity being held to a different standard than the gay clergy. Somehow the clergy get a pass if they have a boyfriend on the side on Saturday but preach the party line on homosexuality in the pulpit Sunday. Why should I try to be chaste if people like me get dumped on by the clergy for being honest about their sexuality while sheltering the dishonest among their own? Maybe I don't value hypocrisy. Maybe I'm just jaded. The Roman diocese is on to something. Maybe every priest that's gay, celibate or not, should just get up and leave. Maybe every single gay priest, bishop, and cardinal in the world should just get up and leave. That's what a lot of Catholics want. Think we have a priest shortage now? I'm tired of the double talk, hypocrisy, and double standards. Something's gotta give.

Published by: SanFrancisco
San Francisco, CA 07/23/2010 09:26 PM EST

Although the intent of Panorama may be to create lurid scandal, the focus is on homosexuality and the duality of such persons. The examples may come from the priesthood, but the lifestyle is universal. The practicing homosexual is to be pitied since they are a victim of satan. Who will pray for them? Who will make reparation for them? The Vicariate of Rome is sincere and the article is excellent.

Published by: Justin
Michigan 07/23/2010 08:29 PM EST

to alex in portland. GOD bless your incredible witness.

Published by: Elaine
India 07/23/2010 06:36 PM EST

Whatever the Church dictates regards the sacraments - should be in conformity with human nature. No human being could function normally if all his/her natural born urges are not satiated by being channelised in the right direction - as human beings. If God given urges are intentionally or unintentionally suppressed - it would break out in ugly forms....who then is responsible? All this ugliness has been existing ever since celibacy was forced on priesthood - (if not in reality - then in the mind and sins of the mind are as good as sins of the body - so who are we deceiving?) Jesus Christ, in his lifetime gave grave importance to human nature - even when it went against the law. Nowhere has he ever implied that priests should be dressed in garbs of celibacy ever! As a psychologist He knew that no man could go against human nature and still expect to behave normal. The Catholic Church should wake up to this call and consider human nature as a common denominator before enforcing such abnormal laws on the sacraments and then holding it against the individual - when infact, it is the Church that is totally responsible for sins committed due to such unnatural enforcement. It may be argued there is no compulsion about choosing the vocation - yet the church is worried about the number of vocations going down by the day - the rest being endangered by sins due to unnatural force of celibacy? The Church today needs to consider human nature in relation with the changing times.

Published by: glorybe1929
Parker, Colo. USA 07/23/2010 06:13 PM EST

As far as I'm concerned, after being a RC for OVER 60 yrs..It( THE RCC) is the DEVIL'S WORKSHOP..They peddled JC like he was their "golden goose". There is nothing for them but Hell and Damnation. These clerics have committed the "unforgiveable sin...THE SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Published by: Jeannie Guzman
Plano, TX USA 07/23/2010 05:07 PM EST

Rate: Regular

To Tim H: I think that you might have missed the point of this article. It did not say that ONLY 3 out of 1300 priests were promiscuous homosexuals. The story only followed 3 priests. In another article, which I read on this topic, one of the seminarians estimated that 97% of the seminarians in Rome, which he knew, were homosexuals. Now the young seminarian, who was quoted, probably doesn't know 97% of the seminarians in Rome, but it is a safe bet that the percentage of 2.3% is rather on the low side. By the way, next time use a calculator when doing statistics. Yours were wrong!

Published by: Nancy
Florida 07/23/2010 04:49 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

These types of arguments always surface when someone attacks the Church. My response...this doesn't change the Truth of the Church. The Church is sinless, those in it, are not. St. John Chrysostum said "The floor of hell is paved with the skulls of priests." I guess that goes along with "to whom much is given, much is expected." We can only pray that this is God's way of cleansing the Church. We need to pray for all of our priests.

Published by: David
NY NY 07/23/2010 04:12 PM EST

My Pastor is Gay and I find nothing wrong with that. But he also has an apartment in Chelsea which is a very big gay spot in NYC. I often wondered what bars he hangs out in. And if he also Lives a double life.

Published by: Tim H
Acworth, Ga, USA 07/23/2010 03:07 PM EST

Rate: Good

Hmmm... three out of 1,300... that's roughly 0.23%. I have heard claims from homosexual advocacy groups that up to ten percent of all men are homosexual. I have also heard two percent and four percent thrown around as numbers. Either way, 0.23% sounds like an amazing testimony to the purity and faithfullness of the Priests who serve the Bishop of Rome. I wonder what percentage of Panorama employees use male prostitutes. -Tim-

Published by: michelle
leominster, MA 07/23/2010 01:41 PM EST

Rate: Very Good

If people spent as much time praying for priests as they do trying to frame them, tear them down we would be in a whole lot better place. We all sin - we all have faults - stop pointing fingers and take a look inward to your own souls, pray and repent.

Published by: Alex
Portland, OR 07/23/2010 01:34 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

As a celibate, gay man striving VERY hard to live a chaste, dedicated life, this story disturbs me very much. I considered religious life at one time thinking that it might be "easier" but it was not. As a layperson, I KNOW and believe what the Holy Church teaches and I work on my spiritual life constantly. It's a shame that our priests seem to not do the same. This is not merely a "gay" priest issue. This is a celibate priest issue. There are plenty unfaithful heterosexual priests as well - the gay ones are more scandalizing. I can only see this as God's way of cleansing the Church of all frauds. Unfaithful priests should come out and leave. PERIOD. Priesthood infers fidelity to God and his People, if you can't live this vow you have no business being a priest.

Published by: Alex L.
Fl 07/23/2010 12:50 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

The American Church would do good to follow Rome's dictum. I wish the Church was more adamant and courageous when it came to this subject.Any priest living a double life is unworthy of orders and not only hurts Holy Mother Churh and her faithful but also puts in peril their eternal life.

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