Rome, Jan 10 (LaPresse) – "In the formative process, when addressing homosexual tendencies, it is also appropriate not to reduce discernment to this aspect alone, but, as with every candidate, to understand its significance within the broader framework of the young person’s personality. This ensures that, through self-awareness and integration of the objectives of human and priestly vocation, the candidate achieves overall harmony". This is stated in the new guidelines issued by the Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI) on "The Formation of Priests in the Churches in Italy: Guidelines and Norms for Seminaries". "The goal of formation for priesthood candidates in the emotional and sexual realm is the ability to embrace chastity in celibacy as a gift, to choose it freely, and to live it responsibly," the document continues. "Chastity 'is not merely an emotional directive but the synthesis of an attitude that expresses the opposite of possession. Chastity is freedom from possession in all areas of life. Only when love is chaste is it truly love. Love that seeks to possess ultimately becomes dangerous, imprisoning, suffocating, and making people unhappy. God Himself loved humanity with a chaste love, leaving humans free to err and even oppose Him". The document further states: "Celibacy for the Kingdom should be understood as a gift to be recognized and verified in freedom, joy, selflessness, and humility before admission to orders or the first profession. This does not simply mean controlling one’s sexual impulses, but growing in the quality of evangelical relationships that transcend possessiveness, avoiding being trapped by competition and comparison with others, and knowing how to respect and safeguard the boundaries of one’s own and others’ intimacy".