British paper claims Italian monastery used to 'cure' homosexual priests
October 06, 2015
The English daily The Independent has published a sensationalized story claiming that a monastery in Italy is being used to “cure” priests of homosexuality.
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Father Gianluigi Pasto, speaking for the Venturini monastery, explained that his community actually helps priests with many different sorts of problems—much like the treatment centers in the US and elsewhere. “I can only say that here we help priests become healthy,” he said.
Nevertheless, the story about the Venturini monastery prompted a statement of outrage from New Ways Ministry, an American group that promotes acceptance of homosexuals. “Being gay is not a disease,” said Francis DeBernardo. “What needs to be cured is not homosexuality but homophobia.”
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Posted by: filioque -
Oct. 06, 2015 9:41 PM ET USA
A tendency that leads to disordered acts is itself disordered. If I have heterosexual attractions outside of marriage, that is a disorder and must be treated as such, i.e., resisted. The same is true of heterosexual attractions, which can never be pursued within marriage and must always be resisted. Yes, pray for strength in God's grace, seek help from experienced counselors and friends, but don't pretend that there is a healthy alternative to living chastely for anyone.
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Posted by: Bernadette -
Oct. 06, 2015 6:33 PM ET USA
I am sorry, but homosexuality is a "psychological disorder," a mental illness regardless of what is stated by activists, New Ways Ministry, et al. People are not born homosexual, regardless of what Cardinal Kasper might think. People who have mental illness can sometimes be healed, just as with physical illnesses. Many afflicted with this unnatural attraction are not happy with it and want to change or to be helped to live chastely, just as heterosexuals are asked to live.
