IMHO, every biological population is made up of a bell curve of individuals, 95% of which will lie within what we consider homogenous and therefore 'normal' for that population but the 5% (2.5% at each end) will be CONSIDERED deviants from that normal population BUT ARE STILL VERY MUCH A PART OF A NATURAL BIOLOGICAL POPULATION. This is where the world's physically identifiable but mentally homosexual population ends up (the physical hermaphrodites occupying the very 0.5% tips of the tails of the curve).
Therefore, since the time humankind evolved from the common primate ancestor, there have been a small percentage (variously quoted between 5 and 10 percent) that have fallen into this grey area wrt their sexual orientation. It is this group that has been denied their human rights in various arenas most recently, their right to profess, in public, their committment to each other.
To hear learned (scientific, medical or theological) people condemn homosexuality as depraved, sinful, aberrant or an abomination is an exposure of their ignorance of some of the most gentle, caring and loving individuals I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.
Having said that, the incidence of homosexuality in the priesthood is much higher than 4:1000. What do you think happened to all those men who were not interested in getting married in the 'good old days'? Were they squirreled away in monastaries and encouraged to take vows of celibacy? Why do you think there is a dearth of vocations from countries where alternative lifestyles are accepted? Why are most vocations these days from countries where religious fervour and fear of divine retribution are the highest? Religious life is an honourable answer inculcating the need for celibacy.
Kevin Saldanha
