VATICAN CITY, Jan. 5 Even though it had previously criticized writer Oscar Wilde for his homosexuality, the Vatican honored the Irish poet in a recent literary collection.Several aphorisms from the iconic playwright and poet -- who was once sent to prison for gross indecency over an openly gay relationship -- were featured in a collection from one of the Pope's closest aides, The Times of London reported.In contradiction of the Vatican's earlier stance toward Wilde, Father Leonardo Sapienza added such famed Wilde sayings as The only way to get rid of a temptation is yield to it to his collection of quotes for Christians -- Provocations: Aphorisms for an Anti-conformist Christianity.Sapienza defended his decision.Our role is to be a thorn in the flesh, to move people's consciences and to tackle what today is the No. 1 enemy of religion -- indifference, he told the paper. Copyright 2007 by UPI
