Church Musician Fired: Refused Vow of Chastity

Rockford Register-Star ^ | 6/25/02 | Edith Webster

[ninenot]

ROCKFORD

[ninenot]

Looks as though Rockford has it figured out, but you have to really dig into the article to find the substance: not only "Partnered," but wanting to ADOPT!!!

[Loyalist]

PING

[RosieCotton]

One of many problems with the article - it doesn't sound like the author understands what a vow is. There's a difference between leading a chaste life (which all of us should be doing, regardless of our state in life) and taking a vow.

If, as a Catholic, you aren't married (and these guys certainly aren't and never can be), you live a celibate life until you are, or try to. But no one forces you to take a vow!

[Antoninus]

“Everybody I talked to was shocked that someone with this much talent, who did so much for the church, would be pinpointed for his personal lifestyle.”

The Church ain't about "talent" sister. Sorry, but the homo-inclined have already done too much damage to the Church.

Either live according to Church teaching or get out.

[ventana]

The most disturbing thing is that these fellow parishoners would show any form of support for a homosexual couple, and, moreover, their intent to adopt a child. Breathtaking and shocking. V's wife

[Antoninus]

If, as a Catholic, you aren't married (and these guys certainly aren't and never can be), you live a celibate life until you are, or try to. But no one forces you to take a vow!

Exactly. It would have been a scandal if the church knew he was living an active sodomite lifestyle and kept him on. To teach one thing and then make exceptions based on "musical talent" would be sheer hypocrisy.

Good for Msgr. Kagan!

[RosieCotton]

The most disturbing thing is that these fellow parishoners would show any form of support for a homosexual couple, and, moreover, their intent to adopt a child.

No kidding.

The article is obviously biased, but it certainly doesn't sound like this guy has made any secret of his lifestyle. And people just patted him on the back and told him what a swell guy he was?

[JohnnyZ]

In a further development, the church will begin singing hymns at Mass rather than the customary show tunes.

[Antoninus]

If you're so inclined, send your words of encouragement to this parish at:

teresaatholyfamily@yahoo.com

This address is for Teresa Lanz, the Administrative Assistant for the parish. A whole list of other contacts may be found here:

Holy Family Parish Staff

[Hermann the Cherusker]

The incident is shameful, said Mary Zuba, a member of St. James Church on Second Street in Rockford and half of the first same-sex couple to adopt a nonrelated child in Illinois.

And I'm sure her pastor gives her communion every time this "family" comes to Church, without blinking an eye. For shame!

[Onelifetogive]

“I was honest. I walked out of the office without a job, but I had my dignity,”

A rump-rangering sort of dignity, that is!

[Desdemona]

A gay music director who doesn't have an ego...oh, wait, he wants "dignity" with his lifestyle.

Nevermind.

[B-Chan]

Chief Archangel Cast Out Over Refusal to Bow

Some agree with the decision to cast out Archangel who wouldn’t promise obedience; others don’t.

HEAVEN — The Bringer of Light at the Throne of God had a choice: give up his desire to be like God or lose his job.

When Archangel Lucifer Morningstar refused to bow before the Throne last eon, he was cast down from his position at the top of the Angelic Hierarchy. “I was honest. I walked out of Heaven without a job, but I had my dignity,” Lucifer said. “This shouldn’t happen to anybody. Maybe Michael and the rest of them have no problem with all that grovelling, but I am the most beautiful and powerful of all the Angels, and I refuse to bow down to anybody. Non serviam -- I will not serve."

[Desdemona]

LOL bump

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Monsignor David Kagan bump!

Bill Stein and his CINO supporters need to read the following and if they don't like it, leave the Church.

Chastity and homosexuality

2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,141 tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."142 They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

[BlackElk]

Whoever Mary Zuba may be who is described as a member of St. James Parish in Rockford (the former cathedral about fifty years ago, and also described as half of trhe first same-sex couple to adopt a non-related child in Illinois, she may live to see the lack of wisdom in so shooting off her mouth in the local newspaper, known here as the Rockford Red Star, at least if she wants to continue playing make-believe Catholic in the newspapers in this diocese. We can hope.

[B Knotts]

I don't know why anyone who considers themselves Catholic would be the least bit puzzled by the idea that practicing homosexuals may not be employed by the Church. It's very clear, as you have shown, in the Catechism.

Do they think the Catechism is not binding?

[sinkspur]

The controversy over his homosexuality began three months ago,

Why didn't it begin five years ago?

Indeed, why was the guy even hired in the first place, if he had a partner?

It apparently was no secret to the parishioners that he was gay.

Is it just now embarrassing to the diocese that an openly gay man was a music director?

Is it the sin that is the problem, or the fact that he drew attention to himself with his adoption plans?

These are honest questions. Sounds like somebody was looking the other way until they got caught.

[sinkspur]

I don't know why anyone who considers themselves Catholic would be the least bit puzzled by the idea that practicing homosexuals may not be employed by the Church.

He was employed by the Church for five years and apparently made no secret of his partner.