They are probably hinging on the fact that he coverted and repented at the end of his life. Which is possible – not probable, I think.

vomit

What Rashasha says is true. They wouldn't even bother had he not 'converted' and died. By 'converted' I mean he repented his sins (gay sex?) and was sorry for it and will not do it again.

Yep, thats what the Vatican is going with.

Wilde had a tremendous interest in the paranormal and super natural, which attracted him to Roman Catholicism, which is arguably the most "mystical" of all Christian Denominations. Based upon his writing and famous sayings, I believe Wilde would have found the social and moral teachings of the church to be nothing short of hysterical.

@Richard in DC: The Catholic church is the most mystical because its a pagan religion blended with sky daddy and jesus lovin'.

I'm not sure why this shocks anyone. They are always trying to love us to death, so its not that shocking to me that they love us more when we are dead than when we are alive.

@galefan2004:

Well, in order to "harvest" your soul…you need to be deadand unable to obtain an erection.

That way, there is no danger of your ever having a relapse and going back to your "old ways" LOL

Sorry. That post was intended for Richard in DC, not Galefan.

This has got to be the worst Queerty headline yet. Wilde may, technically, be describable as a "gay dead person," but the choice of words is just unbelievably crass. Honestly, you guys should go back and re-read some of Wilde's work – you could learn something about the artful use of language.

@Jamie:"you could learn something about the artful use of language." YOU GOT THAT RIGHT! love wilde.

Seriousness is the only refuge of the shallow.

Well, that does rather mesh with the Vatican's attitude that the only good homo is a dead one.

Why do so many gays misunderstand Catholicism?
In my experience Catholics are some of the least homophobic religious people, or at least that's how it is in America. There are a few exceptions of course,there are the knights of columbus & some crotchety old people. But almost everyone else mostly goes to church because it is a cultural thing, and old ladies go there to gossip & then watch gay guys later on that night on Project Runway or American Idol and don't bat an eyelash. Politics never come up in Church, it's mostly getting dressed up, singing, eat wafers, and be bored the entire time. Trust me, I spent my entire life in the Catholic church and never once heard the word "gay" or "homosexual" come up.
In short, nobody gives two flying shits about the Vatican and whatever it is they do up in their fairytale castle all day.

In my experience Catholics are some of the least homophobic religious people, or at least that's how it is in America.

If that's true, I pity you. Another anecdotal non thinker.

@Bob Sees: "In short, nobody gives two flying shits about the Vatican and whatever it is they do up in their fairytale castle all day."

The day when that statement is true cannot arrive too soon.

The claim that the Vatican long viewed him as "a dissolute homosexual who was sentenced and imprisoned for acts of gross indecency over his relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas" seems to be pure journalistic conjecture. Anyway, the article in the Osservatore Romano was by a single writer for the Vatican's newspaper; hailing it as a "Vatican" position is like hailing an op-ed by a BBC writer as indicative of the British Government's position.

Wilde did convert before death, and there's been some very interesting writing about Wilde as a Catholic. Check out The Long Conversion of Oscar Wilde. Interesting that the Marquis of Queensberry was received into the Church on his deathbed, too, and that Lord Alfred Douglas converted in 1911. God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.

@TANK:

It must be something in the holy water! ;oP