On Same-Sex Attraction and the Priesthood

Christ, the Great High Priest, Model of All Mortal Priesthood

June 3rd, 2021

Dear Fr,

Thank you for sending your repentant letter. I have been praying for wisdom as to how best to deal with this situation, since it has already scandalized several of our clergy to find out that you commented on that inappropriate social media post. I understand your feelings and desire for reconciliation, seeing that I have many friends who struggle with same-sex attraction, and I know how difficult this must be for you. I am glad that you have not acted on your temptations. It is, unfortunately, very common amongst Roman Catholic clergy, because many look to clerical celibacy as a refuge from otherwise strict family expectations for marriage and family life. While we understand that all human sexuality is prone to broken expressions and the evil influence of lust and covetousness, homosexuality is especially prone to pain, dysfunction, self-hatred, and spiritual destruction in a fundamentally unique way, because it misidentifies other humans for the Divine Image and desires mystical union with the created rather than the Creator.

Canonically speaking, in the Orthodox Tradition, homosexuality disqualifies from the priesthood, and according to the Canons of St. Basil (Canons 35, 77), Sts. John Chrysostom, Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, John the Faster (Canons 9, 18) and the canons of the Quinisext Synod (Council of Trullo, Canon 87), there is little room for a priest to be both homosexual and sacrally functioning. There is a tradition of pastoral restoration for those who have been involved in mutual stimulation, but according to the sacral understanding of the Church, to take another man’s seed into one’s own body through submission to a passive role is to become permanently ritually impure. There is also an age consideration in the canons. For those in their teens and early twenties, who may have been excited to lustful mistakes because of raging hormones and the lack of a proper wife, there is some pastoral leniency for cases of non-penetrative sexual acts. For those who are older and still desire and pursue same-sex relations, there is strict discipline and barring from Communion until the Last Rites. One cannot be actively homosexual and in good standing within the Church.

Seeing how the ancient canons of the Church considers homosexuality and same-sex acts of stimulation, we must consider the grave effect that such things have upon the grace of the holy priesthood. I fail to see how the Roman Catholic Church justifies the validity of Gay Priests, especially seeing that it has been so aggressively condemned as impossible by the Ancient Church. Certainly there are those who become priests and hide their homosexual lifestyle, and God may always work in the sacraments through the faith of the laity, but it does not erase the issue of the self-excommunication of the priest. Within Orthodoxy, even though their are still pockets of homosexuality within the priesthood, it is generally understood that the priest who engages in such things actively removes himself from God’s grace, and convokes the sacraments to his own damnation, rather than to his salvation. Thus, when discovered, this issue must be formally and pastorally addressed by the episcopal office for the sake of the priest’s soul.

Of course, if it is merely an issue of attraction and has not been acted out, and the priest is living in chastity, he may continue to have a sacramental ministry that is covered by the grace of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the faithful, leading to his own salvation. In this situation, such a priest must submit to extra accountability and be sure to avoid homosexual friends, pornography, and lustful materials, not only to remain chaste, but also to protect the faithful from defilement. Therefore, sacramental efficacy is not dependent upon the priest’s sexual attraction. He may, however, not function in a priestly capacity according to the canons if he is acting (or has acted in the past without proper repentance) upon those same-sex attractions. To do so would be to effectively excommunicate, self-inhibit and laicize one’s self, and the Church would be committed to restoring such a priest as a layman.

I would like to continue to talk with you through this issue, and pray with you for healing and chastity, so that you can continue the work that God has called you to do. I am not shocked, scandalized or angry about your struggle, and I hope that you can feel God’s grace and my concern. You most certainly have my prayers as you discern the best way to move forward in the ministry.

May God keep you! In Christ,

Bp. Joseph

(Edited to protect identities and clarify the situation)