DENVER, 16 (NE) In an article published in the Denver Catholic Register's last issue, Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver denounced as false and misleading several statistics and statements published a few days ago by the Kansas City Star regarding a supposed study on priests and AIDS.

    "Professional researchers have since dismissed the survey, and the statistical comparisons drawn from it, as biased and generally useless," wrote the Archbishop about the study, done by means of an anonymous survey. Calling to a critical reading of the story, he stressed that "one has to wonder if the paper really cared about the accuracy of its statistics," since "more specifically, it was a creative way to campaign against Catholic teachings on homosexual behavior, and also priestly celibacy."

    Given several examples of the inconsistency of the story and of its "underlying motivation", Archbishop Chaput invited people to consider the "wonderful gift of celibacy", which in "a culture so addicted to sexual activity" is so many times misunderstood. Let's pray, the Prelate concluded "for a day when the Catholic attitude toward human sexuality is properly understood as beautiful, healthy and life-giving."