News 2020
Ecclesiastic eroticism encyclical issued
The Vatican has intervened in the controversy over the sexual activities of priests with an encyclical from the Pope.
Coming after less than three decades of controversy over the controversial issue, the promptitude of the intervention indicates how seriously the Pope takes the controversial controversy.
The document, titled De Glutibus Puerorum, expresses the Pope's "deep concern" that the reputation of the Church is being "defiled by evil rumours" that some priests have engaged in sexual activities.
The encyclical calls for "a more seemly restraint" on the part of news agencies in reporting such matters, because of the pain and distress (panem et circenses) which the revelations can cause to members of the Church.
Taking as his main text Leviticus 18 xxii, "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination", the Pope defends priests who have "carnal relations" with boys under the age of twelve, on the grounds that "mankind" refers to adult males.
Since males of the Jewish faith reach the age of majority at twelve, the prohibition on sex with "mankind" does not apply to boys of eleven and under, the encyclical says.
The document appeals for "Christan love and tolerance" for the "considerable difficulties and embarrassments" (ani horribili) suffered by priests whose sex lives are exposed to the public gaze.
The encyclical concludes with an uncompromising condemnation of adult homosexuality, and of consensual adult heterosexual intercourse outside Christian marriage.
The Vatican has intervened in the controversy over the sexual activities of priests with an encyclical from the Pope.
Coming after less than three decades of controversy over the controversial issue, the promptitude of the intervention indicates how seriously the Pope takes the controversial controversy.
The document, titled De Glutibus Puerorum, expresses the Pope's "deep concern" that the reputation of the Church is being "defiled by evil rumours" that some priests have engaged in sexual activities.
The encyclical calls for "a more seemly restraint" on the part of news agencies in reporting such matters, because of the pain and distress (panem et circenses) which the revelations can cause to members of the Church.
Taking as his main text Leviticus 18 xxii, "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination", the Pope defends priests who have "carnal relations" with boys under the age of twelve, on the grounds that "mankind" refers to adult males.
Since males of the Jewish faith reach the age of majority at twelve, the prohibition on sex with "mankind" does not apply to boys of eleven and under, the encyclical says.
The document appeals for "Christan love and tolerance" for the "considerable difficulties and embarrassments" (ani horribili) suffered by priests whose sex lives are exposed to the public gaze.
The encyclical concludes with an uncompromising condemnation of adult homosexuality, and of consensual adult heterosexual intercourse outside Christian marriage.
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