In a document released by the Congregation for Catholic Education, the Vatican revealed that it will use the services of psychologists to analyze whether there is a homosexual tendency in candidate seminarians, and also stated that such a measure could be "useful in certain cases."
The Vatican listed some symptoms that should be analyzed by professionals during interviews. For example, if there is "strong emotional dependence", "uncertain sexual identity", "deep-rooted tendency towards homosexuality" and also a certain "rigidity of character".
The religious institution also says that psychologists will not be part of the teaching staff and that such analysis can only be carried out with the "prior, free and explicit consent of the candidate". Titled 'Guidelines for the use of psychology skills in the admission and formation of candidates for the priesthood', the document was ordered by Pope John Paul II (died in 2) and approved by the current Vatican representative, Benedict XVI.
In an official statement, the Brazilian Association of Gays, Lesbians, Transvestites and Transsexuals (ABGLT) said it considered the Vatican's attitude to be a violation of human rights and regretted that the institution "could adopt a blatant practice of discrimination of this nature." Regarding the issue of analyzing "rigidity of character", the ABGLT states "the competence, or 'rigidity of character', of a priest is independent of his sexual orientation, just as the practice of pedophilia is not exclusive to homosexuals. Studies demonstrate that pedophilia is practiced against children of both sexes, mostly by heterosexual men". Finally, the Association says that such a measure is anti-Christian.
