More on Fr. Vacek , S.J.
AMERICA (THE MAGAZINE) ENDORSES GAY PRIESTS 1/8/2003
Fr.
Vacek’s muddled attempt to criticize heterosexuality by pointing to the
"disordered" realities of fornication and lustful thoughts
The
Jesuit journal writes about the "gracious mystery of homosexual
orientation."
The December 16, 2002
issue of America
magazine features two articles (not available online) defending the
ordination of gay priests: "On ‘Straightening Out’ Catholic
Seminaries," by AIDS physician Jon Fuller, and " ‘Acting More
Humanely’: Accepting Gays Into the Priesthood," by moral theologian
Fr. Edward Vacek, S.J.
Regarding
the current scandals, Mr. Fuller believes (among other things) that "the
sexual abuse in question––pedophilia and
ephebophilia––are functions of arrested sexual development, not of
a particular sexual orientation." He does not back up this dubious claim,
and it is obvious that he is not going to let the scandals stand in the way of
his defense of "high-functioning, integrated and self-respecting gay
men."
One serious problem with both articles is the interchangeable use of terms "homosexual" and "gay," as though they mean the same thing. But the Church, in speaking of homosexuality, does not use the word "gay," because it is a word fraught with ideological and political meaning. Being "gay" means actively pursuing and engaging in a lifestyle that is sinful and seriously disordered. Those who are "gay" are often full of "pride" and want you to know it—and to endorse it. This is quite different from having an orientation, a weakness, towards homosexual desires and inclinations. Each of us struggles with various sins: pride, anger, stealing, and so forth. But the inclination towards those sins is different from actively pursuing prideful, angry, or thieving lives. The blurring of these lines is not, of course, an accident.
Mr.
Fuller’s article contains this quote from Canice Connors, current
president of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men: "I would like to
say a word about the shadow of suspicion being cast over our brothers living
out the gracious mystery of homosexual orientation. We are all journeying
toward God by seeking God first in one another . . ." This is strange
language, to say the least. Could it be that part of this "gracious
mystery" comes from not seeking God first in God? Could it be that the
narcissism so rampant among gays has shaped how some of these men view God and
themselves?
Fr.
Vacek’s article contains equally strange comments. He is irritated that
the Church continues to teach that "homosexual acts are intrinsically
disordered" (CCC 2357) and that the Vatican recently referred to
homosexuality as an "objective disorder." He writes:
The
phrase "objective disorder" has often and rightly been heard as
unnecessarily offensive. But for those who know the Catholic tradition, the
phrase is not surprising. In fact, we have a long history of saying that
heterosexuality is objectively disordered. For in addition to being an
inclination to procreative sex, heterosexuality also includes an inclination to
lustful thoughts, masturbation, fornication, and other evils. From Paul and
Augustine through Thomas Aquinas and Alphonsus Ligouri up to the Second Vatican
Council, we have argued in our theology and in our canon law that marriage is a
"remedy" for this disorder.
At
best, this is misleading. Scripture and Tradition are full of positive
endorsements of the nuptial relationship. Yes, some Church Fathers and early
Christians, in their desire to attain a state of perfect chastity or celibacy,
downplayed or even slighted the marriage relationship. But the Church has never
taught that sex within marriage is "disordered." Fr. Vacek’s
muddled attempt to criticize heterosexuality by pointing to the
"disordered" realities of fornication and lustful thoughts completely misses (or
denies) the point that these sins are actually misuses of a good created by God
(heterosexuality). In other words, they are acts that go contrary to the nature
of a good. Thus, heterosexuality is a good; homosexuality is not.
Such
attempts to justify homosexuality by maligning the God-given gift of sex within
marriage are revolting and disingenuous. They are even more appalling in light
of current sex scandals, the vast majority of which involve priests with teenage
boys and young men. Despite what these authors think, those who are opposed to
ordaining gay men are not homophobic or vindictive, but are trying to remove an
evil that has deep roots in many parts of the Catholic Church in North America.
America Magazine Vol. 187 No. 20, December 16, 2002
‘Acting More Humanely’:Accepting Gays Into the
Priesthood
By
Edward Vacek
Shortly
after the start of the second millennium, St. Peter Damian wrote a long
condemnatory treatise entitled The Book of Gomorrah. He demanded what is now
being called zero tolerance of clerics who had engaged in homosexual behavior.
In response, ...