Proposal to accept gays in seminaries rejected

MANILA, Philippines - A Catholic bishop rejected yesterday the proposal to accept gay men in seminaries to prepare for the priesthood, despite the current shortage of priests in the country.

Infanta Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona told Church-run Radio Veritas that if it were a choice between quality and quantity of priests, it would be better for the Catholic Church to produce less but better priests.

He said that while he would not want to pass judgment on homosexuals, he is against their becoming priests or seminarians.

“Personally, I have zero tolerance on gay clergymen,” he said. 

However, even up to this time, he said it is very difficult to detect gay priests.

“I do not think that anybody could be perfect (in detecting gays). Any man, even those who act macho, there are still those who hide their true self.”

Tirona said that aside from their sexual preference, some of the aspiring seminarians lack the educational background required.

“There are a lot of people who want to enter the priesthood; however, when it comes to the exams, they have low scores.”

In his own diocese, there are lots of applicants but they come from sub-standard schools and could not speak English well and they have difficulty keeping up with the lessons.

“You really have to raise the quality of the education system. As for the tuition, there are people who would want to sponsor the studies of a seminarian.”

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo has encouraged young men to enter the seminary.