Roberto Marchesini also claims gay people do not mature past childhood.

As the Catholic Church continue to question their views on homosexuality, a renowned Italian philosopher has spoken out in support of those who wish to keep gays away from the religion.

The recent Catholic synod on the church’s relationship with “alternative” families has been plagued by controversy due their current on homosexuality.

The church had been divided on the issue in the run-up to the gathering, with conservative members insisting that the Catholic doctrine is clear and unchanging when it comes to homosexuality.

Official Catholic doctrine holds that homosexuality is an “intrinsic disorder”, but progressive theologians have recently come to accept that sexuality is innate – a premise that makes it harder to maintain a stance of outright condemnation.

However many people still feel homosexuality itself to be sinful.

Earlier this week, a prominent Italian philosopher championed the view of the far-right, arguing that gay priests have no place in the Catholic Church.

Behavioural scientist and philosopher Roberto Marchesini argues gay people are “inherently disordered” and therefore can’t be priests.

He went onto to claim that members of the LGBT community do not mature past childhood – remaining instead in a dependant, child-like state.

“The formative journey will be disrupted, despite his efforts or the support of a psychologist or psychotherapist, when they continue to be unable to grow up like everyone else, from their own serious immaturity (strongly dependent, notable lack of freedom in relationships, unchanging character; unfaithful; uncertain sexual identity, deep-seated homosexual tendencies, etc.)”

While his argument is in some parts misleading – and could easily be seen as nothing more than blatant homophobia – his sentiment clear.

“Well then, at least by Catholic teachings, a priest’s homosexuality is a problem.”

Throughout the synod, many anti-gay members of the church have quoted scripture or hidden behind the church’s current stance on the issue to mask their unwillingness to accept homosexuality.

Pope Francis himself opened proceedings by forcefully asserting that marriage is between a man and woman.

He also insisted that the church cannot be “swayed by passing fads or popular opinion.”

In a clear challenge to the current ideology, Monsignor Krzysztof Charamsa announced before the synod that he was a gay, practising Catholic priest – before calling for the synod to take up the plight of gays and attacking the “paranoid” homophobia of the church.

He was subsequently fired by the Vatican – who said “the decision to make such a pointed statement on the eve of the opening of the Synod appears very serious and irresponsible, since it aims to subject the Synod assembly to undue media pressure.”

Proposals to ‘reach out’ to gay people were scrapped by the Church last year – and despite suggestions that the plans would return this year, it is clear that the Church has no plans to have an open discussion surrounding the matter.