Vatican Allows Gay Men to Train as Priests

The Vatican and the Italian Bishops Conference (CIE) have established new guidelines for gay men seeking to enter the priesthood. The Vatican has not imposed a blanket ban on gay men, but instead has maintained the 2016 language that prohibits men who "practice homosexuality" from entering the priesthood. However, the CIE has introduced a more nuanced approach, stating that gay men who are sexually active cannot be admitted to seminaries, but those who are not sexually active and demonstrate an "orientation towards celibate life" can be considered for the priesthood.