God or …

From the National Catholic Reporter on the new reality-show.

Many are aware of a reality-TV series coming to A&E, premiering on Easter Sunday, called “God or the Girl.” This five-part series follows four young men with a calling to the priesthood who must decide whether to enter the seminary or serve God as laypeople. While the idea appears to be a laudable effort to positively portray the Catholic faith, we must positively protest the the title of this show. Why not "God or Significant Other" or "God or boy or girl" or some other more inclusive title? There are currently many good homosexual priests and bishops and you might wonder how they would feel about seing such a narrow-minded presentation of the priesthood?

Ever since the Congregation for Catholic Education issued the document in regards to admission of homosexuals to the seminary and Holy Orders and the seminary visitation there has been increased pressure from the Vatican. Has A&E knuckled down to a Vatican edict? Were they only allowed access to four heterosexual seminarians? You would think that a network with a name like Arts and Entertainment would show more tolerance to homosexual seminarians instead of locking them in a seminary closet not to be viewed from the outside world.

Again we laud A&E for the effort to highlight the vocation shortage and the difficulties of recruitment to the priesthood in modern times. Yet did they ever consider the lay women and nuns who feel a calling to the priesthood and have been shut out? Was "God or the Dyke" ever considered? What about those married people who feel a calling to the priesthood? "God and the girl/boy" would have been another possible series that could highlight the restrictive effect of limiting the clergy to celibacy. Bravo had "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and you would think that a network like A&E would in this day and age would not show a hetero-centric view of the priesthood that is so limiting.

We urge are readers in the name of tolerance and not being exclusive to boygirlcott this show and to write A&E and the producers of this show to take a more enlightened view towards the priesthood instead of the rather strict model used for the last two thousand years. Just think of the emotional harm caused to aspiring priestesses and men already discriminated against by the Vatican to see this propaganda show that could easily have been orchestrated right out of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Okay the above is a parody piece, though I can easily imagine seeing it in the NCReporter. For real information on what looks to be an excellent series see American Papist for details.