The measure is initially only valid in Italy; will be valid for 3 years, on a trial basis
The Vatican published new guidelines on Thursday (9 January 2025) that allow gay men to enter seminaries to become priests, as long as they abstain from having sex. The measure is initially only valid in Italy. Here is the document (PDF – 2 MB).
According to the rules, the sexual orientation of candidates must be considered, but only as a personality characteristic. The guidelines will be in force for 3 years, on an experimental basis.
“When it comes to homosexual tendencies in the formation process, it is also appropriate not to reduce discernment to this aspect alone, but to understand its meaning within the broader context of the young person’s personality”says an excerpt from the new guideline.
In theory, the Vatican has never explicitly banned gay men from entering the priesthood. In 2018, however, Pope Francis issued an instruction not to accept young people with “Deeply ingrained homosexual tendencies” at the seminary.
Since taking office as pope in 2013, Francis has sought to adopt a more inclusive stance. In 2023, for example, the Vatican will see priests from the Catholic Church administer blessings to same-sex couples.
The pontiff had also spoken out in favor of the LGBTQIA+ community in other statements:
- January 2022 – asked parents not to condemn their children because of their sexual orientation;
- October 2020 – defended that LGBTQIA+ people had the same legal rights as heterosexual couples;
- January 2023 – about a statement where he associated homosexuality with sin.