Pope Francis allegedly told bishops to turn away any gay men from priesthood applications
The comments come just days after he told a gay man God loved him no matter his sexuality
By Steve Brown
Pope Francis has allegedly told Italian bishops to turn away gay men from priesthood applicants.
According to a new report to the Vatican Insider service of Italian newspaper La Stampa, the Pope urged other bishops to “keep an eye on the admissions” as any homosexual tendencies could lead to scandal.
He allegedly said: “Keep an eye on the admissions to seminaries, keep your eyes open.
“If in doubt, better not let them enter.”
The comments were made at a closed-door gathering at the Vatican this week where he called for “careful discernment” of the applicants and were confirmed by Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti of Perguia-Citta della Pieve.
They appear to affirm the traditional Catholic teaching that practicing homosexuals shouldn’t be admitted to the priesthood.
However, his comments doesn’t reflect the attitude Pope Francis has towards the LGBT+ community.
Pope Francis has been more welcoming to the LGBT community than previous Popes and back in 2013, he told reporters: ‘If someone is gay and is looking for the Lord, who am I to judge him?
“You should not discriminate against or marginalise these people.”
He also was recently reported to tell a gay Chilean man that God loved him no matter what his sexuality is.