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Catholic clergy say gay '‘subculture’ exists

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WASHINGTON -- More than half of all Roman Catholic priests said a "homosexual subculture" exists in their dioceses or seminaries, according to a study released Aug. 16.

The nationwide survey of 1,200 priests is the first attempt to quantify what has remained a persistent rumor about the Catholic Church during the sexual abuse crisis, according to The Washington Post.

The survey, done in spring 2001, was sanctioned by the American bishops and conducted by a sociology professor at Catholic University for the National Federation of Priests’ Council. The council has measured priests’ attitudes periodically since 1970, according to the Post, but this is the first time questions about homosexuality were included.

Nineteen percent of priests said a subculture "clearly" existed in their dioceses or parishes, and 36 percent said it "probably" did. The numbers were 19 percent and 26 percent, respectively, for seminaries.

A wide gap in impressions existed between younger and older priests. Forty-seven percent of priests ages 25 to 35 said there was "clearly" a gay subculture in their seminaries, while only 3 percent of those 66 and older had that same impression, according to the Post.

While the Catholic Church has not openly ordained gay priests, its policy does not forbid the practice.