Abuse by Priests, Homosexuality, Humanae vitae, and a Crisis of Masculinity in the Church

Abstract

Data on the age of the preferred partner of same-sex attracted men show that the abuse of minors by priests and deacons is primarily a question of "ordinary" homosexuality, and secondarily of homosexual pedophilia (not just unspecified "pedophilia"). This points to the substantial over-representation of homosexually inclined men among seminarians and priests, which in turn is related to a process of "homosexualization" (and feminization) in the Church. The general dissent from the moral doctrine on sexuality and marriage (as set forth in the encyclical Humanae vitae) has paved the way for this process. A few suggestions are discussed for the prevention of the abuses of the past decades: (a) improved screening of candidates for the priesthood as well as for the office of bishop on masculine personality maturity, which includes normal heterosexuality and fatherhood qualities; (b) a spiritual regime for seminary students and priests that is demanding on the self and directs the battle for holiness;