Courage International

Discerning Priestly Vocations in Light of Same Sex Attractions

The experience of same sex attractions (SSA) profoundly affects the emotional, physical and relational life of an individual, including a potential seminary candidate.  This workshop will discuss the approach the Church takes to discerning admission of a candidate who experiences SSA to the seminary and/or to holy orders, and the roles that vocation directors, formators and spiritual directors play in this discernment.  In particular, we will consider the 2005 Instruction of the Congregation for Catholic Education, and the 2016 Ratio from the Congregation for the Clergy.