Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 82 No. 2, 2012.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
Homosexuality and Canonical Suitability for Clerical State According to The Instruction In Continuita
Slavko Zec
; Teologija u Rijeci - Područni studij Katoličkog bogoslovnog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Sažetak
Today the phenomenon of homosexuality causes many questions and doubts while pressures to perceive it as one of the varieties of sexual identity together with heterosexuality and bisexuality are becoming stronger. The Church living in such a world has posed the question of clerical ministry and homosexuality, and also that of homosexual tendencies of candidates for clerical state. Wanting to bring clarity to this issue, the Congregation for Catholic Education on 4 November 2005 issued an important Instruction In continuita concerning the Criteria for the Discernment of Vocations with regard to Persons with Homosexual Tendencies in view of their Admission to the Seminary and to Holy Orders. This paper first presents the content of the Instruction, and notes the central criterion, which reads: cannot be admitted to the seminary or to holy orders those who practice homosexual acts or present a deepseated homosexual tendency or support the so-called »gay culture«; but can however be admitted to the seminary or to holy orders those who present transitory homosexual tendencies if such tendencies are overcome at least three years before diaconal ordination.
Furthermore the author explains and comments his claims and the criteria of the Instruction recognizing in the text an interdisciplinary, triple approach: theological-ecclesiological, psychological and a canonical point of view. The theological and ecclesiological level emphasizes the basic objective of formation of candidates to clerical ministry, which consists in conformity to Jesus Christ, who is Spouse, Head and Shepherd of the Church, which requires maturity of faith. On the psychological level the need to acquire sufficient psycho-affective maturity is observed as a prerequisite for the clerical ministry and pastoral activity, which includes a mature and balanced attitude towards persons both male and female. Finally, in the canonical level, the entire accord of criterion is determined as expressed in the Instruction In Continuity, with norms of the Code of Canon Law considering formation for clerical state in the seminary and verification of the suitability of candidates for Ordination.
Ključne riječi
homosexual tendencies; Christian anthropology; affective maturity; maturity of faith; candidates for the clerical state; formation to the clerical ministry
Hrčak ID:
84379
URI
Datum izdavanja:
12.7.2012.
Posjeta: 2.539 *