In Diocese of Rome's Gay Rebuttal, Sinful Assumptions

The Roman Catholic Church has yet again found itself in the midst of a gay scandal, thanks to Italian magazine Panorama's report that priests from the Diocese of Rome have been participating in man-on-man parties.

Incensed over the scandalous story, the Diocese's communication team has now sent out a statement demanding that all gay priests "come into the open," because the Church "cannot accept [them] due to their behavior." If they were trying to save moral face, they have failed.

Though Vicariate of Rome Cardinal Agostino Vallini insists Panorama published the story “to create scandal and to defame all priests," the Diocese of Rome's subsequent response suggests there is, in fact, a kernel of truth to reporter Carmelo Abbate's findings.

"The essence of the Church of Rome is not found in those with 'double lives,' who haven't understood what 'Catholic priesthood' (is) and should not have become priests," reads the statement. It then goes on to urge gay priests to leave the clergy. And that's where the church's rebuttal really goes awry.

"Coherence would require them to come into the open. We don't wish to hurt them, but we cannot accept that due to their behavior the integrity of the all the rest might be tarnished," insists the Diocese of Rome, an institution that falls squarely under Pope Benedict XVI's authority. "Before such facts we firmly adhere to what the Holy Father Benedict XVI has repeated several times in recent months: 'the sins of priests' call us all back to conversion of heart and life and to be vigilant so as not to 'pollute the faith and Christian life, damaging the integrity of the Church, weakening her capacity of prophecy and testimony, tarnishing the beauty of her face'." Well, that's an interesting choice of words.

The Diocese's solution, come out and get out, represents a mirror image of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which enforces silence and gives gay soldiers at least some semblance of self-control. The Diocese endorses speaking out because they divine an erroneous conclusion: gay people lack any kind of restraint, or faith.

Catholic officials base their response on the false assumption that all gay priests are having sex. Potential sexual "behavior" totally eclipses their religious conviction. "Hate the sin, love the sinner" goes straight out the window, because the Diocese has already determined that all closeted priests are sinners who can't keep it in their pants.

The Book of Matthew remains quite clear on judgmental karma: “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” If the Catholic Church wants to be treated with respect, they need to start preaching to a new choir, rather than relying on hateful fallacies that will end up purging their ranks.

Photo credit: Delirious?