CM takes on the Lavender Mafia

Have you seen this Vortex yet?

It forms part of series running at Church Militant at the moment about the crisis in our priesthood. It is hugely brave, as it takes a stand against one of the great modernist issues; that of the misguided, newly lauded rectitude of homosexuality which is now to be seen as "normal" and "equal".

Sadly, there's little doubt in my mind that Voris' assertion regarding clergy suffering with SSA is correct. And it is just as bad here in the UK as it is in the USA. One only has to recall the Vatican's directive regarding admitting men with homosexual tendancies to Holy Orders, given in 2005 (see here). This document teaches the Church's position clearly:

From the time of the Second Vatican Council until today, various Documents of the Magisterium, and especially the Catechism of the Catholic Church, have confirmed the teaching of the Church on homosexuality. The Catechism distinguishes between homosexual acts and homosexual tendencies. 

Regarding acts, it teaches that Sacred Scripture presents them as grave sins. The Tradition has constantly considered them as intrinsically immoral and contrary to the natural law. Consequently, under no circumstance can they be approved. 
Deep-seated homosexual tendencies, which are found in a number of men and women, are also objectively disordered and, for those same people, often constitute a trial. Such persons must be accepted with respect and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. They are called to fulfil God's will in their lives and to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter. 

In the light of such teaching, this Dicastery, in accord with the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, believes it necessary to state clearly that the Church, while profoundly respecting the persons in question, cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practise homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called "gay culture".

Such persons, in fact, find themselves in a situation that gravely hinders them from relating correctly to men and women. One must in no way overlook the negative consequences that can derive from the ordination of persons with deep-seated homosexual tendencies. 

Different, however, would be the case in which one were dealing with homosexual tendencies that were only the expression of a transitory problem - for example, that of an adolescence not yet superseded. Nevertheless, such tendencies must be clearly overcome at least three years before ordination to the diaconate. 

To add some more context, let's look at the CDF Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Care of Homosexual Persons from 1986 which clarifies the Church's unbroken position, grounded in Scripture and Tradition:

In the discussion which followed the publication of the Declaration, however, an overly benign interpretation was given to the homosexual condition itself, some going so far as to call it neutral, or even good. Although the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil; and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder.

Therefore special concern and pastoral attention should be directed toward those who have this condition, lest they be led to believe that the living out of this orientation in homosexual activity is a morally acceptable option. It is not.

OK so the Church position is clear then? Couldn't be clearer.

The response to the 2005 directive from the CBEW was to dismiss it and carry on regardless, insisting that

"there is no empirical data which concludes that sexual orientation is connected to child sexual abuse. "The consensus among researchers is that the sexual abuse of children is not a question of sexual "orientation", whether heterosexual or homosexual, but of a disordered attraction or "fixation". Many abusers of children have never developed the capacity for mature adult relationships. Instead, their sexual attractions focus on children – boys, girls, or both." However, there is a link, as many experts have found, and the figures are indisputable. CNA reported at the time that  "a U.S. psychiatrist with experience in treating priests with pedophilia disagrees that there is no link between homosexuality and sexual abuse of children. “Cardinal Bertone's comments are supported completely by the John Jay study report and by clinical experience,” Dr. Richard Fitzgibbons told CNA. “In fact, every priest whom I treated who was involved with children sexually had previously been involved in adult homosexual relationships.” Of course, received opinion, modern society, and especially Peter Tatchell would have you believe this is nonsense. I know who I believe. British culture has been altered from the inside out by an insidious agenda which has seen SSA people infiltrate media and politics and vocally lobby for acceptance. They want to be "equal" and they think this will take away their pain, but I don't believe that is the case. I believe that only learning to accept who they are and act morally will do that. As the CDF letter linked to above states: “What, then, are homosexual persons to do who seek to follow the Lord? Fundamentally, they are called to enact the will of God in their life by joining whatever sufferings and difficulties they experience in virtue of their condition to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross.” “Christians who are homosexual are called, as all of us are, to a chaste life. As they dedicate their lives to understanding the nature of God’s personal call to them, they will be able to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance more faithfully and receive the Lord’s grace so freely offered there in order to convert their lives more fully to his Way.” Given the CBEW position at odds with that of the Vatican, I am glad that Churh Militant are prepared to do battle with the hierarchy on this issue, clearly backed by more than a few important and worried Catholics. You may not like it, but this boil needs lancing. I bet more than a few people are squirming at the prospect of having a light shone on their nefarious activities. Pray for the Church.