Spanked!

OK--- Catherine has roundly redressed me for my comments regarding Rev. Steven Boguslawski, rector of Sacred Heart Major Seminary in my post regarding the Detroit Free Press article referenced on Nov. 30th. I do not know him--- she does--- so I do not doubt that he is as dedicated and hard-working as she states. I still have doubts about his interpretation of "the document". For the sake of fairness I did some more research and I found this MP3 of an interview he did recently regarding the same article I discussed. Here is the link. Having listened to it it twice I cannot give a full blown apology--- I do not think I was too far off in my interpretation of Fr. Steven's comments and the reason I say that is found at the very end of the interview with him. The very last thing that Paul W. Smith says is that this document is different then the one from 1961 because it shows the Church had broadened its views on homosexuality and that the previous document barred homosexuals from the priesthood. He then asked Fr. Steven Bogulawski "that is not what the Church is saying right now?" to which Fr. Steven replied "No, that is correct... correct."

No doubt as Catherine states Fr. Steven is a good man--- dedicated and hardworking--- that doesn't change my opinion of his comments and in fact listening to the interview actually raised more concerns. I was willing to cut some slack and admit that maybe I was a too harsh because it could have been that he was just put on the spot and so answered the way he did just to deflect reporters--- but in the radio interview he confirms the interviewer's statement that the document does not ban homosexuals from the priesthood--- unless Fr. Steven and I read different documents I do not see how he came to that conclusion. The language is pretty darn clear.... as I said ....unless someone is looking for a way around the language. I admit some documents take years to study--- Humanae Vitae, Veritatis Splendor, Lumen Gentium for example--- this was not that type of document--- it is a clear cut and short instruction--- It was released to address a current problem--- how would taking time to study it help solve the current problems? Could I be wrong---perhaps--- I'll sincerely apologize if I am but so far I haven't seen enough proof to convince me.

Comments

[Allan Edwards]

Does the document ban all homosexuals from the seminary? That's not what it says:

If, however, one is dealing with homosexual tendencies that may be simply the expression of a transitory problem, such as for example an adolescence not yet complete, such tendencies must be overcome at least three years before ordination to the diaconate.

No doubt this is what the good rector had in mind.