Vatican strengthens ban on gay priests

VATICAN CITY, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Men with homosexual tendencies should not be allowed to train for the Catholic priesthood even if they seem able to stay celibate, the Vatican said Thursday.

The guidelines for bishops and seminary heads also recommended psychological examinations for all candidates for the priesthood, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. In a veiled reference to the sexual abuse scandal, the document said that barring men with psychological problems would ''prevent so many tragedies.''

In addition to "rooted homosexual tendencies," the document listed "immaturities" that might interfere with a priest's ability to serve. They include ''strong emotional dependence, notable lack of frankness in relationships, excessive rigidity of character, lack of loyalty, uncertain sexual identity'' and an inability to remain celibate.

Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, prefect of the Catholic Education Congregation, described homosexuality as "a deviation, an irregularity, a wound'' even when a gay man is celibate.