NYTimes Supporting Homophobia

Found this Op-Ed piece (in the free on-line section) of the NYTimes. Of course, the opinions on the op-ed pages are those of the author, but really, they didn't have to print this article. It's bad enough the Church is working to purge otherwise upstanding and honorable priests simply because they are homosexual. In fact, an argument could be made that homosexuals make better priests than heterosexuals. That may indeed make another fine blog post at a later point. The thrust of my argument and qualms for this particular author is that she has couched her homophobia in a rhetorical argument for seminary reform.

Sure, her points are well taken, but the subtext and subliminally laced homophobia should be identified and make us angry. And frankly, I am getting very tired of folks who think they are better than others simply becuase they like to have heterosexual sex (or practice - although not altogether successfully - celebacy or abstinance, if you will).

Slice:

THIS week, teams of examiners, led by Edwin O'Brien, archbishop for the United States military, are beginning a visitation of all 229 Catholic seminaries in the United States. Judging by press accounts, the effort is all about uncovering and expelling homosexuals - a purge, simply put.

In truth, it's about far more than homosexuality. And it's badly needed...

...The same goes for the presence in seminaries of gay subcultures that draw their identity from secular values rather than the Catholic moral vision. Why is it considered unfair to expect priests and seminarians to live by the values of the institution they serve? Others may call it a purge, but I call it truth in advertising.

A seminary has a dual responsibility. It owes the future priest preparation for a life of sacrifice, unique witness and engagement with other human beings at moments of joy and pain in a society that has no respect for his vocation.

But a seminary also owes us, the people in the pews, psychologically mature priests who aren't engaged in an eternal and ego-driven struggle with their own problems, who are prepared to serve, to teach and preach - with integrity and honesty.