The phenomenology of homosexual priests: Selected cases

• Main Authors: Lopez, Michelle Denise O., Servando, Augustus Cesar J., Veluz, Ma. Maricel C.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1996
• Subjects: Homosexuals, Male; Priests; Gays; Homosexuality; Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/7963
• Institution: De La Salle University

The Phenomenology of the Homosexual Priest is qualitative study which aims to describe and understand the phenomenon of being a homosexual priest using the phenomenological approach. Respondents of this study are six Filipino Homosexual Catholic Priests who were purposively sampled through chain referral. One on one in depth interview was utilized as the data gathering method and results acquired was qualitatively treated using content analysis to arrive at cross-case comparisons. The study focused on the perceptions of homosexual priests, specifically on priesthood, homosexuality, view of themselves as a homosexual, priest and persons and the experiences of homosexual priest, particularly their discovery and acceptance of their homosexuality and the difficulties encountered and coping mechanisms employed by homosexual priests in their encounters as a homosexual in the priesthood. The implications of these perceptions and experiences on the homosexual priests integration and actualization as a person - being a homosexual and being a priest is presented and discussed. Profile of a homosexual priest and specifics of the experiences and learning that had led to the integration is also identified and reviewed. Results of this study reveal that contradictory to society's notion that a homosexual and a priest cannot be integrated into one person, the homosexual priest had undergone and was able to pass through a process wherein he was able to harmonize his homosexuality and priesthood and reach a state wherein he is endeavoring to actualize his whole person.