Here it is, in pdf format, via the USCCB. Yes, it's the same document that was leaked. With notes, now, though.
UPDATE: Here's a non-pdf version, via VIS, via the Criterion, Archdiocese of Indy.
In Slate, William Saletan blasts The Purge.
What is missing from Saletan's piece, of course, and what makes it a waste of time, is the lack of attention to Catholic teaching on sexuality, and what that means. Although I have my quibbles, and, as stated before, think emphasizing adherence to teaching and committment to teaching and the living the teaching, not "tendencies" is far less of a minefield, what Saletan and other experts on Catholicism don't seem to grasp is that this document is the result of observation and experience. What it reflects is the historical experience that some things, for some reason, just seem to go together: that in recent history, in particular, priests who openly and proudly self-identify as gay have not shown themselves to be interested in proclaiming the Church's teaching on sexuality, preaching it, teaching it and applying it pastorally.
Yes, this still leaves the closet cases of the extravagently pious active homosexual, but frankly, most of those that I have known personally or via the inevitable news report about their misdeeds, have been so screwed up in other ways, obvious to all but the willfully blind, that they never should have been ordained anywya, for this and a multitude of other reasons, most of them related to immaturity and arrogance.
TMatt has been hammering on this, and he's right. What journalists need to ask, in reporting on this story, especially of those who are expressing dismay and distress at this Instruciton, is this: This is what the Catholic Church teaches about sexuality. Do you, as a self-identified, out, proud, but now saddened gay priest believe and teach the Church's understanding of what God has revealed about sexuality? Do you, as an opponent of this Instruction, ordained or not, saddened and fearful, believe the Church's teaching? What do you think a priest's responsibility is vis-a-vis that teaching? To ignore it, blow it off, manipulate it into a "vision" that "dares to challenge" a homophobic culture but dares not challenge his own desires? Or to, you know...teach it.
Oh, and in your comments, please be mindful of who this blogger is, and what she's been saying about this for years. No, it is not only self-identified gay priests who are the "problem." Priests can be sunk in all kinds of sins and shade and nuance the gospel beyond recognition out of all sorts of motives and in service of all kinds of passions: the passion for power, women, an excellent golfing vacation, what have you. But this gay stuff is the topic of the day, and we can't talk about everything every time.
So you know, responders to this Instruction (not you guys - those who will be quoted in the press) - don't bother with your hand-ringing until you've come out of the closet, not in terms of your private desired, but in terms of your stance towards the teaching of the Church. That's what's at stake. That's what we all need to be talking about.
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