WaPo Confused Why It’s Wrong For Catholic Priests To Use Hookup Apps

Washington Post recent article Article A Denver non-profit known as Catholic Laity and Clergy for Renewal was attacked by the group. “spent millions on app data that tracked gay priests.” The Post also cited anonymous sources, but no evidence to support its claim. “those familiar with [CLCR’s] project said the organizers’ focus was gay priests.” 

The truth is that the organization used legal data to discover both homosexuality and lesbians. The use of hookup apps by heterosexual priests or seminarians. “…[T]hese sorts of hookup apps are designed specifically for casual, anonymous sexual encounters — it’s not about straight or gay priests and seminarians, it’s about behavior that harms everyone involved, at some level and in some way, and is a witness against the ministry of the Church,” Jayd Henricks, President of CLCR, wrote in First ThingsResponding to The Post.

The Post incorrectly characterized CLCR efforts in both direction. “political” “anti-gay” It was difficult to grasp why Catholic priests are prohibited from using hookup apps. 

“To [The Washington Post], discussions about sex and celibacy, sin and salvation, are just fodder for clicks and titillation for readers,” Henricks. “I disagree, and so does the Church. Ignoring the importance and reality of human sexuality and its expression isn’t healthy, and pretending problems aren’t there only stores up worse trouble for everyone…”

Henricks states that Catholic Laity and Clergy for Renewal kept their work completely secret. “protect the privacy of those affected.” CLCR did not set any expectations and gave the information directly to the relevant bishops and church rectors to resolve the matter as they saw fit. 

However, it seems that not all of these church leaders appreciate CLCR’s work. A number of them anonymously told The Washington Post that they participated in the article. “disapprove of the project” It is worth considering “un-Catholic.” Another anonymous source is smeared similar work This was done by The Pillar Catholic News Site in 2021. It described it as sinful and harmful. 

It is perfectly legal to hold Catholic priests responsible for their vows. This is especially true when you consider that entire congregations are dependent on them. “…[I]t is incumbent on all of us to do what we can, to help bishops to care for their clergy, and to help priests to take care of their own spiritual, emotional, and physical health,” Henricks. 

Despite the fact that the data was legally obtained, the Post article is heavily focused on data privacy. Although the outlet may argue that CLCR information should be kept secret, that is a different argument. It doesn’t have much to do the actual matter, which is why Catholic priests should not use hookup apps. The church has a responsibility to ensure clergymen keep their vows, and do their best to bring parishioners into heaven. The CLCR was supported by lay people.

It’s worth noting here the rank hypocrisy. The Post would frame this case differently if it were a group conservatives who had suffered a privacy breach. Instead of worrying about privacy, the Post would be spreading the news and enjoying it. The corporate media outlet’s outrage, like always, is selective. It also makes a judgment about who has privacy rights and who doesn’t. Reporters for the Post regularly attack private citizens. This was evident when Taylor Lorenz, a Washington Post reporter, didxx Chaya Raichik (the woman behind Libs of TikTok), and she now claims that she is subject to regular threats.

The Post neglected to mention that CLCR also does other things, such as investigating priestly celibacy. Henricks claims that the technology used by CLCR is to aid bishops in many ways. CLCR is an example. “has used data to identify models of parish and diocesan life that flourish, as well as those that were less successful.” It was found that seminarians who go without technology for one year upon entering the seminary were more successful. “able to discern better and faster if they have a vocation” “conducted studies on why Catholics leave the Church.”

CLCR does not want to humiliate or embarrass wayward priests, but to support them “live out their vocations faithfully.” It is perfectly acceptable to want the spiritual leaders of church to be in communion and fellowship with Christ. The secular Washington Post clearly does not understand Catholic theology and our culture’s urgent need for holy priests, in a world that values hookup culture. 

Evita Duffy-Alfonso, a staff writer for The Federalist and co-founder of The Chicago Thinker, is an author. She loves the Midwest and lumberjack sports. She also enjoys writing and spending time with her family. Follow her on Twitter at @evitaduffy_1 or contact her at [email protected].