Homosexuality issue raised at Notre Dame pluralism forum

Published: 2005-09-27

NOTRE DAME, Ind. (CNS) -- Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, told an international forum at the University of Notre Dame Sept. 22 that the Catholic Church cannot discriminate against members of the gay community but the priesthood is not suitable for homosexual men. Cardinal Rodriguez, who was considered one of the top candidates in the last papal election, made his comments in response to a question from Tom Brokaw, former "NBC Nightly News" anchor, who was moderating the forum titled "Why God? Understanding Religion and Enacting Faith in a Plural World." When the topic of women's role in the church came up, the newsman seized upon the opportunity to ask the cardinal about speculation that the Vatican is about to issue a document dealing with homosexuals in the priesthood. Vatican officials said in late September that no publication date has been set for the document, which has been in the works since 2001. Cardinal Rodriguez said the church cannot discriminate against people, but "not everybody is called to the ordained ministry, and of course there are some requirements, as there are for other professions in ordinary life." As the former rector of a seminary, Cardinal Rodriguez said, "I am aware that the Catholic priesthood is not for the people who are oriented in that direction."

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