Ordination, adoption and homosexuality

From Miss Heather Buttery Sir, A little clear thinking is called for when discussing the issue of ordination and homosexuality (Nov 1). References to homosexual seminarians, or homosexual priests, are as unhelpful as would be references to heterosexual seminarians, or heterosexual priests.
A man who claims to have a vocation to the priesthood might be actually engaging in sexual activity of an ordered or disordered nature; he might refrain from active engagement but indulge in fantasies along these lines; or he might pray for the spiritual strength to repudiate both, and put Christ at the centre of his life. In doing so, he would receive the wholehearted support of all who truly love the Church.
Homosexual activity is not, however, to be equated with ordered sexuality, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church was not the first official Church document to define it as disordered. The Declaration Persona Humana from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1975, 19 years before the publication of the CCC, stated that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered and can in no case be approved of".
Seminarians or priests who willingly engage in homosexual acts or fantasies are thus presenting a triple affront to Christ: by abjuring the celibacy proper to the single state; by indulging in a disordered activity; and by betraying the vocation they claim to have.
Priests are not the only ones required to make themselves "eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven". Celibacy of mind and body is practised by those in the laity who love the Church and are single, separated or widowed: such people include those who persevere without the benefit of a religious or secular community to provide support and companionship, often in very difficult circumstances and always without the unique privilege of the sacrament of ordination.
Dr Timothy Potts' prediction that the filtering out of seminari ans with homosexual tendencies could reduce intake by half overnight sounds rather like an attempt at blackmail. His threat is in vain, however, for vines flourish when they are pruned right back.
The new generation of seminarians trained to set their sights on holiness and humility might result in fewer ordinands, but when as priests they hit the parishes, the harvest will be abundant.
Yours faithfully, HEATHER BUTTERY, Hungerford, Berks RG17 8QT From Mr Martin Flynn Sir, Although there has been much reported in the media in general about homosexual adoption, could it be explained why there was little or no outspoken guidance from the Church in defence of the many children who will now find themselves in the most horrendous situation — two daddies or two mummies instead of mum and dad?
Many young people are searching for truth and guidance. When they look for leadership they want the challenge of Christ's teaching, the thrill of his presence in the teeth of an immoral gale.
Who is going to take up the challenge to speak plainly for the vulnerable child who finds himself trapped in a desperate predicament, while those who can help indulge in cant — not the best situation for the child, heterosexual marriage preferred, uncharted territory, it is the child that matters, as long as the couple are in a stable relationship?
At local level in many churches there is already self censorship. Liturgical bidding prayers in defence of the vulnerable child under the same sex parents are blocked — the preferred theme is for the unemployed, the sick and the dead.
This letter is written not with arrogance but with a weeping heart for those who have no voice but that of ours, dear reader.
Yours faithfully, MARTIN FLYNN Motherwell, Scotland