Advent Group - Supporting Priests & Religious since 1969
Priests to Face Sex Drive Test
- Written by: Alex Walker
Pope Benedict has approved new test >
The Roman Catholic Church has issued guidance for future priests to have psychological tests to weed out those unable to control their sexual urges.
A senior churchman said a series of sex scandals had contributed to the rewriting of the guidelines.
The authors said screening would help avoid "tragic situations" caused by what they termed psychological defects.
The guidance says the voluntary tests should also aim to vet for those with "deep-seated homosexual tendencies".
Among other traits that might make a candidate unsuitable for the priesthood, the advice lists "uncertain sexual identity," "excessive rigidity of character" and "strong affective dependencies".
The document also makes reference to heterosexual urges.
Seminarians should be barred if testing makes it "evident the candidate has difficulty living in celibacy: That is, if celibacy for him is lived as a burden so heavy that it compromises his affective and relational equilibrium", it says.
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 Catholic officials continue to fixate on the offenders and ignore the larger problem  US-based victims group SNAP
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The advice stipulates priests must have a "positive and stable sense of one's masculine identity".
The document, approved by Pope Benedict XVI and made public on Thursday, stresses that the screening must always have the candidate's consent.
The Catholic Church has been rocked by a series of sex scandals in recent years involving paedophile priests, notably in the US, Latin America and Europe, triggering lawsuits that have cost hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements.
And a seminary in Austria was shut down in August 2004 after revelations that students openly indulged in homosexual conduct.
Gay rights groups have accused the Church of using homosexuals as scapegoats for abuse scandals.
The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), a US-based group of victims of sexual abuse, said the revised guidelines did not go far enough.
"Catholic officials continue to fixate on the offenders and ignore the larger problem: The Church's virtually unchanged culture of secrecy and unchecked power in the hierarchy," it said in a statement.
"These broader factors are deeply rooted in the Church and contribute heavily to extensive and ongoing clergy sex abuse and cover up."
European Federation 2008
- Written by: Alex Walker
This is not the official report on the meeting. This report has been compiled by Mike Hyland and Joe Mulrooney, the representatives of the Advent Group. European Federation 2008
Meeting of delegates, 9th and 10th July 2008
Chant d’Oiseau, Brussels
- Mike Hyland and Joe Mulrooney represented Advent at this meeting of the European Federation. There were 10 participants, representing 7 groups and 6 countries. The Italian delegate was not able to be present for health reasons.
Beyond Belief - Radio 4
- Written by: Alex Walker
Andy Bebb has taken part in the Radio 4 programme, Beyond Belief on the Fatherhood of God. The programme will be transmitted on Monday 9th June at 4.30 pm. Go to the web site >
Shortage of Catholic Priests in England and Wales
- Written by: Alex Walker
THE PETITION
We, the undersigned Catholics, wish to express our support for our bishops who are preparing the Catholic Church in England and Wales for new forms of ministry and leadership. We request the Catholic Bishop Conference to place the following items on the agenda for their next plenary meeting.
Read more: Shortage of Catholic Priests in England and Wales
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