The "FRUCAGE" has invaded the seminars. Word of the Pope

Reflections by Massimo Battaglio

I think, if The squalid joke made by Pope Francis In the meeting of bishops of the other day it will not be denied, everyone and all of us have the right to demand his apologies. We have always admired it and, in many ways, we will continue to do it but this time said it Gothic and risks compromising all the great work done in all these years.

Therefore, in the name of old age, the non -perfect knowledge of the Italian language, stress or what it wants is excused. But do it. Because it is too smart in order not to understand that that vulgarity will heavily harm not only on its image but on the serenity of thousands of young people and adults. "Frociage"?! But when ever!

To be honest, however, when I heard the pope's joke, my first reaction was a great breath of relief. I thought: finally someone admits it! Finally it is recognized that some seminars of Italy have become not only centers of sexual repression but real institutes for education at a double life. And this, beyond the theories, of the principles of inclusion and non -discrimination, of the emancipation of LGBT+people, is a serious problem.

For heaven's sake: it is true that sexual orientation should not interfere with the pastoral skills of a priest. But in fact: it shouldn't. Too often, however, today, it does so. It is not new that many gay priests, who grew up in guilt, sink into internalized homophobia to become, consequently, the worst homophobes ever. And it would be time that this snake that bites the tail was reduced to a handbag, belt, shoes for lady, however to something that does less damage.

It is equally true that there are still some seminarians here and there who discover their sexual orientation when they are already on. But it is a close minority, given the minimum age (over twenty years) of young people who are going to the priesthood. Instead, the phenomenon for which those who live badly their homosexuality enters the seminar. On the contrary: today, a large part of those who approach the seminar path belongs to this category. It is useless to deny it.

It is even true that, again in theory, a seminarian could live a beautiful love story with a person of his own sex, perhaps encountered in the seminary himself, and therefore to choose serenely to go out to form a splendid family. In fact it is not so. Today's seminars are giving birth individuals who, not knowing anything of sexuality and therefore of homosexuality, live it in the most disordered ways: the random one. And therefore they leave nothing about because their experiences, too lacking on the emotional and relational level, only cause further guilt.

I correct myself: those who leave, are there. But they are bright exceptions, worthy of great respect and true solidarity but very rare. Most learn to invent self-assessment techniques day by day to survive themselves. Not a few become cynical and end up training to find the ways to continue making their comfortable hidden.

This state of affairs, which the Pope would have very clumsyly called "Frociapensa", is very serious. And it is not only for the evident hypocrisy that reveals. It is rather rather because it reduces the wonderful gift of sexuality to something petty, destabilizing. It demeans the most intimate and creative of human relationships making it pure (or impure) hormonal fun. Fun that, when it is good, exercises between companions but, when it goes badly, it comes to involve - and to deceive - others. Cases of seminarians who intervene toxic relationships with young people Meeted in the parishes where they service are known.

Warning: mine does not want to be a moralistic judgment against occasional sex. Everyone must be free to manage their libido according to consciousness. But I begin to get nervous when the sexual occasionality is acted by those who condemn it and I can't stand it just when it is a fallback due to the fact that you do not want to act in the light of the sun.

And I don't want to give a sentence against all homosexual priests, many of whom are among the best of my knowledge. Nor do I want to throw anathemas on those priests who "try" us without even realizing it and that, recognized another homosexual person, bring it closer with some excuses, a coffee, a compliment, as if to reveal a little of their demon Or to try that little bit of thrill and sweetness that believe it is granted to them.

But when I see entire seminar classes populated by children with serious problems with themselves and with their sexuality, which then perhaps take refuge in lace, Latin and entertainment, I cannot help but agree that there is a problem. And it is a serious problem, even if it cannot be defined as "frociapens".

These stuff, the bishops, know them. And it's time to finish it. If you need the joke with a bang, welcome.