Dear Mike:

A homosexual in a monastery would be no different than I, as a heterosexual man, living in a convent of nuns. This is not wise and is an obvious problem.

The religious vocation is one of separation from the world and the things in the world that tempt us. If we have even remote sexual attraction to those we live with we place ourselves in the near occasion of sin that is counter to the religious life.

You might find a monastery that will accept a homosexual, I do not know. You can always ask, but it is not prudent.

You say that it is "merely" a matter of respect vs. lust and self-control? There is no "merely" about it. These are strong urges. The whole point is that to have lust for a man, to have to utilize self-control, is to be disqualified for religious life. If you have to struggle with lust and self-control then living with men in close quarters in a monastery (which is NOTHING like living in a college dorm) places you in the near occasion of sin.

There is a story that illustrates just how circumspect a priest or religious must be about attraction to others.

A 90-year old priest lay on his deathbed. The housekeeper comes into his room and thinks that he may have died. To check she binds down and places her cheek next to his mouth to see if she can feel any breathe.

At that moment the priest wakes up and see her and screams, "Get thee hence woman, the fire still burns!" He died five minutes later.

This priest was circumspect about being around women even though he was 90 years old and about to die.

If he exercised such prudence, how much more should the rest of us.

For you, as a homosexual, your circumspection must be toward other men. The story applies to you too.

I would advise talking to the people at Courage. Perhaps they know of monasteries that will take homosexuals who are stable in chastity. If you come to a point that you are healed of homosexuality and thus have no appreciable attraction to men, then you may have a better chance.

Otherwise, God will be calling you into come other vocation.

We will be in prayer for you and your vocation.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary