Sir, Matthew Parris (Comment, October 29) asserts that Pope Benedict XVI “has recently pronounced that candidates for holy orders, even when celibate and resolved to remain so, should be disqualified if by inclination they are gay”. This is untrue.

A document from the Vatican on the admission of seminarians is expected soon but we do not as yet know its contents. If it were to contain such a ban, which is highly unlikely, most Catholics, at least in the West, would find it unacceptable.

Any deep-rooted prejudice against others, such as homophobia or misogyny, would be grounds for rejecting a candidate for the priesthood, but not their sexual orientation.

TIMOTHY RADCLIFFE, OP
(Master, Dominican Order, 1992-2001)
Blackfriars, Oxford

Sir, Pope Benedict is on record as saying “it is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action” and that “homosexuals must certainly be treated with understanding”.

The Church considers homosexuality a sin. However, considering something wrong is not the same as being “phobic” about it. It certainly does not imply condoning acts of barbarity against people associated with it.

ANDREW LAWSON
Warborough, Oxon

Sir, Matthew Parris rightly observes that homophobes are being driven into the closet just as homosexuals are being allowed out.

Why is it necessary to bring homosexuality out of the closet? Is this not private behaviour which is best kept private? There is a limit to what we need to know about anybody’s private life.

ALISTAIR J. SINCLAIR
Glasgow

Sir, Every time I begin a new season as a head lifeguard I have to pretend to be straight. This is not because I fear my workmates or that my workplace prohibits my choice in life. It is to allow those new workers to see me as the assistant manager of the lifeguard service before they see me as gay. They have to adjust to the fact that I am human before they have to deal with my orientation.

Far too many people hide their sexuality because of the fear of reprisals. Many have a right to fear those reprisals.

I don’t agree that Jody Dobrowski’s murder was “mindless”. Those who committed the murder did so for a reason — because they are gay haters. They didn’t have to do it, but took a conscious decision to kill.

MICHAEL PAYNE
Weymouth, Dorset

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