Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

76 PPF

Admission into a Formation Program

With regard to the admission of men with same-sex experiences and/or inclinations, the guidelines provided by the Holy See must be followed. 118 To this end a distinction must be made between deep seated and transitory tendencies. Persons who “practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called ‘gay culture’” cannot be admitted to either the seminary or Holy Orders. 119 “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homosexual tendencies that were only the expression of a transitory problem—for example, that of an adolescence not yet superseded.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.” 120 It is important that formators and, if necessary, outside professionals pastorally accompany a person “in a relationship of sincere dialogue and mutual trust,” 121 especially a discerner or seminarian, as he and the Church discern whether his homosexual tendencies are transitory or deep-seated. Concerning the results of psychological testing and other confidential materials, the ecclesiastical entity and seminary must observe all Canon Law and civil law requirements, inform the applicant in writing of his specific rights to privacy and confidentiality, and utilize appropriate release forms. 122 Throughout the admission process and the priestly formation program, the man’s rights to privacy and a good reputation must be respected, and the careful management of confidential materials is to be observed. 123 The wording of any release forms must indicate which persons may have access to the information and with whom they can share it, making it explicit that no other sharing is to be allowed without the man’s explicit written

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118 See Instruction 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 .

119 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 199. 120 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 200. 121 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 200. 122 See CIC, c. 220; CCEO, c. 23.

123 See Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 196. Due to the diversity of state laws, each ecclesiastical entity and seminary is to determine the length of time for which “documentation related to the physical and psychological health of seminarians is to be stored,” respecting all applicable civil laws.

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