NL: Catholic church fires amsterdam priest who came out as gay

[Nicky91]

An Amsterdam priest who was told to stop practising after he came out as gay and wrote a book about his sexual experiences has been fired, public broadcaster NOS reported.

Pierre Valkering (57) unexpectedly presented his book ‘Ontkleed niet naakt staan’ (Undressed not standing naked) during a service celebrating his 25 years as a priest in April, telling the congregation about his visits to gay saunas and criticising the Catholic church for its stance on homosexuality.

In a statement at the time, the diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam said that ‘it understands human frailty and the struggle of every person to grow into a state of holiness’ but could not accept his failure to ‘aim for an ordered, celibate life’.

Volkering told NOS that he is ‘not happy’ with the decision but ‘not surprised about [the diocese’s] ‘way of operating’. He said he would leave the decision to dispute the dismissal until he returns from holiday.

https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2019/07/openly-gay-priest-fired/

[Twosugars]

Afaik about how catholic church views these things its probably bc he admitted to not being celibate rather than being gay

[Nicky91]

good for the priest who came out, which is very difficult to do given it's commonly known catholic churches are anti-lgbt

shame on that church, silly how they still live in stone ages with these sort of things :idc:

[Twosugars]

His sauna escapades would be difficult to stomach even for anglicans :laugh:

[arista]

Yes of course they would Fire him.
He is Gay
against the Catholic God.

[Ammi]

https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2019/07/openly-gay-priest-fired/

..this is a bit of a tricky one because was he fired because he was gay or was he fired because he wrote a book about his sexual experiences and presented it at a sermon...?...

[Ammi]

Yes of course they would Fire him.
He is Gay
against the Catholic God.

...it’s against the Catholic God to stand in judgement against anyone...only God judges...

[Twosugars]

Yes of course they would Fire him.
He is Gay
against the Catholic God.

Not true
Arista
Get you facts right

[Oliver_W]

Gay saunas... he needs to find Jesus.

[bots]

writing a book on his visits to gay saunas would have been fine if he had been saving souls, it's all in the presentation :laugh:

[Vicky.]

..this is a bit of a tricky one because was he fired because he was gay or was he fired because he wrote a book about his sexual experiences and presented it at a sermon...?...

There does seem to be more focus on the 'celibate' thing than anything else.

Its probably not a good idea to write a book about your various escapades, when you are apparently required to have an 'ordered celibate life' :laugh:

[Twosugars]

Afaik they're fine with current priests being gay as long as they don't practice.
New gay applicants to seminaries are discouraged though
For some reason there's an impression gays are promiscuous and trouble :hmph:

[Twosugars]

Though rumours about the Vatican curia being predominantly gay continue
Out of the recent popes Paul Vl and Benedict XVI are considered gay.

[joeysteele]

This former Priest does seem to have been rather outrageous.

It is however time the Catholic church did away with it's still bad record on lgbt issues.

I have a feeling actually, Bishops would be surprised at the number of gay Priests they have.
Most not daring to reveal they are however.

From reading the above however, I can see how this guy got into bother with the hierarchy of the Church.

I also think it's time the Church relaxed its celibacy rule too.
I expected more from the current Pope actually.
He's been a disappointment on these issues.

[Ammi]

...did he really promote his book during a sermon....crikey...:laugh:...

[Ammi]

...there must be a pun in there somewhere....

[Twosugars]

This former Priest does seem to have been rather outrageous.

It is however time the Catholic church did away with it's still bad record on lgbt issues.

I have a feeling actually, Bishops would be surprised at the number of gay Priests they have.
Most not daring to reveal they are however.

From reading the above however, I can see how this guy got into bother with the hierarchy of the Church.

I also think it's time the Church relaxed its celibacy rule too.
I expected more from the current Pope actually.
He's been a disappointment on these issues.

The Pope has tried but theres strong opposition. He needs to wear the opposition down otherwise anything he does will be undone as soon as he dies

[joeysteele]

The Pope has tried but theres strong opposition. He needs to wear the opposition down otherwise anything he does will be undone as soon as he dies

Yes I agree with that.

[Northern Monkey]

I can see why he got fired tbf.

‘ladies and gentlemen,Welcome to the congregation.
I shall now recite chapter ten, verse four,
The tale of when i got rimmed while sucking off a double ended dildo’

[Kizzy]

Yes who wants an honest priest who actively embraces who he is and who he loves? One who knows God accepts him for who he is and doesn't hide his sexuality...

[Twosugars]

Yes who wants an honest priest who actively embraces who he is and who he loves? One who knows God accepts him for who he is and doesn't hide his sexuality...

Well yes but there's accepting your sexuality and there's being a local slut

Not judging, but his lifestyle was not compatible with his job

[Kizzy]

Well yes but there's accepting your sexuality and there's being a local slut

Not judging, but his lifestyle was not compatible with his job

You are judging...and as we all know, only God can judge.

[Twosugars]

You are judging...and as we all know, only God can judge.

I was half joking, I don't begrudge him the saunas.

But employers judge too and the church was his employer
The bottom line is he was meant to be celibate and wasn't so they terminated his contract

[joeysteele]

Yes who wants an honest priest who actively embraces who he is and who he loves? One who knows God accepts him for who he is and doesn't hide his sexuality...

Hi Kizxy.
On the other angle though.
He took a vow of celibacy, breaking that doesn't warrant support.
Now I think the Catholic church should remove the vow of celibacy from Priests.

It hasn't and he accepted ordination on that ruling and has broken it.

The same man would after his imperfection, not probably give communion to a divorcee, no matter the reason for the divorce.

Sadly most religions and certainly the Catholic church, are full of judging others.
So if those dishing out judgements, then fall short themselves, they leave themselves open to criticism.

It's time the churches and the Catholic church really just did away with judgements and condemnations by themselves.
I'm a Catholic but am dismayed still at my church's attitude still towards divorcees and the lgbt issue.

[Twosugars]

Well said, Joey

[bots]

the guy abused a position of trust, and then tried to make money from it by selling a book and promoting it from the pulpit. It's a classic :laugh:

[Livia]

Any news on when all the priests who sexually assaulted children are going to be sacked?

[bots]

Any news on when all the priests who sexually assaulted children are going to be sacked?

if the sacked all of them there wouldn't be anyone left to hoover up the collection on a Sunday

[joeysteele]

Across the C of E and Roman Catholic church.
There are abuses of children, that should be reported and the offending Priest punished and lose their Priest status.

It is a minority of Priests in my view, although any abuse of children is wholly unacceptable.

The majority of Roman Catholic Priests, stick to their celibacy, their having to obey 100% their Bishops and bring immense comfort to their parishioners.
Many who cannot hold to the celibacy vows, leave the Priesthood voluntarily.
Without abusing anyone at all.

So there would be plenty left to carry out pastoral duties.

Not the collection.
The process of gathering that up, counting it and entering it up.
Is more done now by trusted lay church members, not the Priests.