The Italian Bishops Conference (CIE) has introduced new guidelines allowing gay men to become Roman Catholic priests, provided they commit to a life of celibacy.
This change reverses the 2016 Vatican directive, which discouraged men with “deep-seated homosexual tendencies” from entering seminaries.
While the Vatican never outright banned gay men from priesthood, this decision marks a shift toward inclusivity within the Church.
The updated guidelines emphasize evaluating candidates based on their overall personality and vocation, rather than focusing solely on their sexual orientation.
“When referring to homosexual tendencies in the formation process, it is also appropriate not to reduce the discernment to this aspect alone, but to understand its meaning within the whole framework of the young person’s personality,” the guidelines state.
