People, normally critics and opponents, often ask me what I would do about an Oratory Priest found on Grindr or involved on another scandal.
The Oratory does not require celibacy of any of its members and priests.
Nor does it have any problem with its priests being gay, being in gay partnerships or celebrating gay marriages.
In fact, I personally have been celebrating gay and lesbian blessings for 35 years now.
And nowadays, the Oratory solemnisers are listed to celebrate legally binding gay marriages North and South of the botder.
Of course, The Oratory sees itself as part of the Christian Church and the Christian Tradition.
And that tradition does have well-founded moral norms.
We also believe in sin in general and sexual sin in particular.
We oppose, like all right-thinking people the crimes of rape sexual assault the abuse of children and vulnerable adults.
Sexual relations are ideally conducted in the context of love, giving, emotion and romance.
I’m not sure recreational sex belongs in the Christian moral compendium – but can hardly either be regarded as the greatest of sins among consenting adaults.
Quite simply, priests of of The Oratory are not in any way as burdened as their Roman Catholic compatriots.
WAS OUT OF SORTS SINCE WEDNESDAY – EXPLAINING SLOW COMMENT POSTING.
I fell n Wednesday, and ended up in A&E with a head bang and arm frature.
I a dangerously well again 😖😡
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 