Priest: Gays, lesbians can become saints

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Friday said members of the "third sex" can also be canonized and recognized as saints.

Father Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, said anyone could be called by God regardless of their sexual orientation.

Castro added that even gays and lesbians could become saints if they would lead a "chaste life," offer themselves to the service God and their fellowmen, and sans the sexual intimacies.

"Hindi sila nagkaroon ng relasyon, they did not engage in same-sex behavior. So, kung papano ang heterosexual straight na sinasabi natin at homosexual ay kapwa tinatawagan na magkaroon ng chaste life ay yun," he said.

"Maski naman ang mag-asawa ay tinatawagan na magkaroon ng chaste life so which means lahat tayo ay tinatawagan na maging Santo at Santa regardless ng ating sexual orientation," the priest told Church-run Radyo Veritas.

Castro, meanwhile, clarified that the Church will not tolerate same-sex marriage.

"Tanggap natin sila 'pagkat mayroon silang same-sex attraction pero hindi natin matatanggap kung mayroon silang same-sex relationships at same-sex unions," he said.An official of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippine on Friday said members of the "third sex" can also be canonized and be recognized as saints.