Homosexuality’s Sin ‘in Its Practice’ (Press, 20 January 1976)
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Summary: Homosexuality’s Sin ‘in Its Practice’ (Press, 20 January 1976)
On 19 January 1976, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, the Most Rev. John Mackey, publicly addressed the topic of homosexuality within the clergy, in a response to comments made by the Rev. Felix Donnelly, a senior community health lecturer at the Auckland Medical School. Donnelly had stated that some Roman Catholic priests in New Zealand were practising homosexuals, which prompted the Bishop's remarks. Bishop Mackey clarified that while he does not perceive homosexual tendencies as sinful in themselves, he believes that practising homosexuality is indeed sinful. He emphasised the need for virtue among those experiencing homosexual problems and noted that the priesthood consists of a diverse group of individuals, all of whom encounter various personal challenges. He stated, “We are all sinners, and we all have problems with sex, honesty, patience, kindness and meekness.” Regarding Donnelly's statements, Mackey stated that he did not intend to discipline the priest, although he planned to have further discussions about the issue. He expressed a lack of knowledge about any priests practising homosexuality and indicated that no one had approached him for help on such matters during his episcopate. Donnelly maintained that his assessment of the situation reflects the reality that some priests engage in homosexual activities and believe they can justify their conduct. He cited instances of individuals seeking counselling who had experienced affairs with priests. He acknowledged that the majority of priests are not homosexuals, but suggested that the percentage of homosexual priests may be slightly higher than the estimated 5 per cent of the general population who are practising homosexuals. In his comments, Donnelly referenced a recent Vatican document on sexual ethics, which condemned homosexual acts and labelled masturbation as a seriously disordered act. He perceived the document's contents as outdated, suggesting that it could have been penned at the start of the twentieth century. The document notably criticises Roman Catholics who have begun to view homosexual relations with leniency and advocate for acceptance of such behaviours among the clergy and laity alike. Overall, the dialogue highlighted the tensions within the Church regarding homosexuality, the challenges of navigating personal identity versus doctrine, and the complexities of sexual ethics among clergy members during that period in New Zealand.
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