
While the Vatican had not explicitly banned gay men from the priesthood previously, a 2016 directive prohibited those with “deep-seated homosexual tendencies” from being ordained.
The Vatican has approved the ordination of gay men as priests, provided they remain celibate.
In a surprising shift in Catholic Church practice, new guidelines issued by Italian bishops will permit gay men to enter seminaries, Sky News reports.
While the Vatican had not explicitly banned gay men from the priesthood previously, a 2016 directive prohibited those with “deep-seated homosexual tendencies” from being ordained.
According to the new guidelines approved by Italian bishops, seminary directors should take into account a candidate’s sexual preferences, but only as one aspect of their overall personality.
“When referring to homosexual tendencies in the formation process, it is also appropriate not to reduce the discernment to this aspect alone, but … to understand its meaning within the whole framework of the young person’s personality,” the guidelines say.
It remains uncertain whether the new guidelines will be adopted in other countries.
Since becoming pope in 2013, Pope Francis has been seen by some as adopting a more inclusive stance toward the LGBTQ+ community. This includes permitting priests to bless same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis. However, the admission of gay men into the priesthood has largely remained a taboo topic.
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