on the ground

By ( articles ) | May 28, 2004

John Allen's Word from Rome includes several interesting items this week, including excerpts from an interview with Anglican Bishop N.T. Wright -- one of most original intellects in Christendom -- as well as a discussion of Cardinal Law's new posting. He also gives a (regrettably) plausible prediction concerning the fate of the long-awaited document on non-admission of homosexuals to seminaries. According to Allen's sources, the document has few episcopal backers but will probably get through because of the Pope's personal insistence. The language of the final document, however, will in all likelihood be nuanced enough that it can be safely ignored.

It seems therefore probable that bishops will retain some flexibility in deciding how to apply whatever standards are set out in the document. Dioceses that have a strict policy against the admission of homosexuals will continue, but those who emphasize a candidate's capacity for celibacy, rather than sexual orientation in se, could argue that such a candidate is not "homosexual" in the sense intended under the norms. It's possible, therefore, that the thunderclap the document will cause in the press will not be matched by changed realities on the ground.

A nicely worded euphemism.