As a gay person, I applaud Mr. DeBernardo for raising exactly the right questions about the language the Vatican uses in "The gift of priestly vocation" regarding gay seminarians. If anyone harbors any doubts about the manner in which this document disparages gay people, I would suggest simply replacing the word "homosexual" with the word "heterosexual" and ask yourself how the language comes off sounding.

The fact that the document begins by saying "The Church, while profoundly respecting the persons in question [persons with homosexual tendencies]" and then proceeds with what can only be described as profoundly disrespectful language towards gay people only adds insult to injury. Mr. DeBernardo's final paragraph hits the nail on the head and underscores the distinct lack of pastoral concern for gay people the world over. This is not the way the Church of Jesus Christ is supposed to behave toward "the least of these." Pope Francis, of all people, should know better.