This was posted on another forum thread at the end of a long discussion on the subject of ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖity and the priesthood.

I think it's worthy of discussion and at the very least provides greater incentive to pray for our priests.

From the Vatican Docuмent:

By means of the Sacrament of Orders, the Holy Spirit configures the candidate to Jesus Christ in a new and specific way: the priest, in fact, sacramentally represents Christ, the head, shepherd and spouse of the Church[5]. Because of this configuration to Christ, the entire life of the sacred minister must be animated by the gift of his whole person to the Church and by an authentic pastoral charity[6].

I believe this is the most significant point, the configuration to Christ, regarding the discussion on ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖilty. As we know the Church has been infested with ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ priests that have caused it great damage through the numerous reported scandals. What concerns me is - If a priest is ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ does this affect his configuration to Christ and consequently affect his capability to provide the sacrament of the Eucharist.??

Our logic might presume that God wouldn't punish the entire congregation just because the parish priest is in a sinful state. However, as Catholics we understand that we should not receive Holy communion if we're in a state of sinfulness. There is a system as to how we Catholics practice our religion and in regards to participating in Holy communion it is neccessary for Catholics to exercise the sacrament of reconciliation. We are in fact instructed to not receive Holy communion if we are in a sinful state.

Is it possible that if a priest is in a disordered state that it affects his capability to act as Christ in providing the sacrament of the Eucharist?

Doesn't systematic logic apply? There could be a wealth of water, but, if there is a problem with the faucet then you might not be able to wash yourself.

If this logic does apply it seems to present an argument for why the state of the Church is in decline. If the flock is not being properly fed then if affects not only the Church but the state of society.

Now, you can call me crazy, but, I've often felt a difference when receiving Holy communion. There have been times when the Eucharist has seemed warm and sweet and others when it has seemed cold and flat. Previous to today (when I considered this theory) I had always presumed the differences came as a result of either my particular state of grace or simply the physical state of the wafer. But, given the logic of the theory, it's feasible to suggest that a difference could come as a result of who is doing the consecration.

If this theory were applicable, isn't it logical to presume that Satan would make use of it. If Satan's objective is to seperate man from God then he must seperate man from receiving Christ. Conceivably, Satan's plan in seperating man from God is by establishing a wedge through the priesthood.

Now, for this plan to be effective the priest must be in a state of serious sin. In the cases of priests succuмbing to alcoholism or sɛҳuąƖ indiscretions (heterosɛҳuąƖ) it's understood that these are natural failings to gluttony and lust which can be repaired, however, regarding ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖity because it's an unnatural disorder and is attached to the sin of pride as well as lust then the repair seems extremely challenging.

Using the logic suggested that in Satan's efforts to seperate man from God by creating a wedge through disordered priests for the purpose that Christ would not be recieved through Holy communion, it does provide reason to the significant number of ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ priests, the liberal formation towards ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖity in the seminaries and to why a large portion of the Catholic population does not embrace, and if fact questions, the teachings and docrtine of the Church.
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It does not affect the validity but it will affect the amount of grace from the sacrament.