Scottish Sunday - Vatican to Introduce Psychological Tests for Gay Seminary Students

Pope expected to demand that seminary students who display homosexual tendencies are not ordained

By Jenifer Johnston

The Vatican is set to bring in new measures to identify and remove gay seminary students and prevent them from being ordained as priests. The new policy, currently under review by the Pope, canon lawyers, and medical experts, will also require students who exhibit homosexual tendencies to be disqualified from priesthood, even if they have completed their training.

The sensitive policy document, expected to be published in the next few weeks, was developed in Rome by two influential groups - The Congregation for Education, which supervises seminaries, and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican's doctrinal watchdog. The discussions around eliminating homosexuals from seminaries and priesthood have been ongoing, though consensus on the appropriate actions has been lacking. Recently, with the surge of abuse allegations against priests, the issue of homosexuality within the priesthood has received renewed attention from the Vatican.

Earlier this month, Pope John Paul II expressed that men showing "obvious signs of deviations" must be disqualified from becoming priests. The use of personality tests to identify and remove gay men from seminaries has been criticized by Tim Hopkins, spokesperson for Equality Network, a campaigning organization for LGBTQ+ individuals. Hopkins believes that the Church's focus on removing homosexual priests while not addressing the issue of child abuse by its members is a major mistake and amounts to a policy of discrimination.

Reports indicate that a significant percentage of young priests, up to 60%, may be gay according to an American study. Additionally, a Channel Four documentary last year alleged that seminaries across the UK were centers of 'high camp activity'. These findings further highlight the complexities of the issue.

In Scotland, the Bishops Conference announced the potential closure of Scotus College in Bearsden due to the declining number of students training for the priesthood. Peter Kearney, spokesperson for the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, noted that while he hadn't read the Vatican document, personality testing had already been conducted on new recruits. He emphasized the importance of assessing sexual disposition to ensure candidates understand the commitment to celibacy and to guarantee suitable recruits for the Church.

Sexual evaluation tests, a form of psychometric testing measuring attitudes, habits, and values, have faced legal issues in California, where they are now illegal due to claims of intrusion. Andrew Johnson from the Equality and Discrimination Centre at Strathclyde University criticizes the Catholic Church's use of such tests, believing that it fuels homophobia and treats homosexuality as a treatable illness.

While the Bishops of England and Wales have yet to formally discuss the upcoming Vatican document, they are expected to study it with great interest and likely implement its guidelines. The Scottish bishops have already drafted updated norms for the selection, education, and formation of priesthood candidates, which includes aspects related to sexuality.

The Impact on Hotels

The Vatican's proposed policy on homosexuality within seminaries and priesthood has broader implications in society, including the hospitality industry. One specific area is the impact on hotels that cater to religious clientele.

Many hotels located near seminaries or religious institutions often serve as accommodations for visiting priests, seminarians, and religious officials. As the Vatican seeks to exclude gay individuals from the priesthood, it may lead to a decrease in the number of gay clergy and thus impact the demand for lodging in these religiously affiliated hotels. Hotels that heavily depend on this demographic for their business may experience a slowdown in bookings and revenue.

On the other hand, this shift in Vatican policy may open up new opportunities for more inclusive establishments, which may attract LGBTQ+ priests and religious individuals who seek more accepting and supportive environments during their travels. Hotels that actively promote inclusivity and respect for diversity gain a competitive advantage in attracting this market segment.

Overall, the Vatican's policy on homosexuality in seminaries and priesthood has the potential to influence the dynamics of the hospitality industry, particularly for hotels catering to religious clientele. Whether this impact will lead to a decrease or a reconfiguration of the market remains to be seen.