Trainee priests must undergo a robust spiritual formation that roots out clericalism, an obsession with the liturgy and a \u201cpresumed theological or disciplinary certainty\u201d\u009d, according to new Vatican guidelines.<\/p>\n
But while the 91-page document primarily seeks to ensure that seminarians become mature pastors, it controversially reiterates a ban on ordaining gay men or \u201cpersons with homosexual tendencies\u201d\u009d, first implemented in 2005 causing widespread offence to gay Catholics, including many gay priests.<\/p>\n
It is also at odds with Pope Francis\u2019 more compassionate \u201cwho am I to Judge?\u201d\u009d response when he was asked about gay priests in 2013 – and the reiteration of the ban has already received a negative response from LGBT catholics.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless the text was signed off by Francis and was written following a two-year process, including consultation with bishops from across the world and various Vatican offices.<\/p>\n