"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." - Ephesians 4:15
Let's start at the beginning. arthurus wrote: The Catholic Church is not experiencing these wrenching changes. I took his post as basically a braggart's boast that the Catholic church was above the din per the article's take on homosexuality dividing denominations, and therefore immune. Nothing could be further from the truth, and in fact I provided a very brief example of Father Cozzens' research into the fact that between 1/4 and perhaps over 1/2 of all priests are homosexual.
Campion responded with ad hominem attacks on Father Cozzens accusing him of being a liberal, and his research being dated by several years. This was a "shoot the messenger" retort with no evidence of Cozzens supposed liberalism. I don't know Cozzens very well, and he certainly is probably less conservative on issues than I am, but that in now way can easily dismiss his book, his research, or his estimate of the high numbers of homosexual priests in the ranks. Campion also added that the good Father Cozzens has also associated with ("pals around) Catholics who have attended Voice of the Faithful meetings. I don't know much about VOTF, other than it was formed in response to the homosexual-pedophile priest sexual scandal and has also associated with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
Even if all of that were true, it introduces a whole new set of problems for the argument that Catholics are above it all when it comes to the clear and present issue of homosexuality and that the Catholic church is somehow unified and speaks with one voice. Clearly, the Catholic church has one heck of a problem with homosexual priests. John Paul danced around the issue, and clearly did not wish to address the massive problem of homosexuality in the ranks. He effectively likened the multiple and documented (legal and criminal) cases of priest raping young boys as a case of a few bad apples rather than a horrible underlying problem:
"As priests we are personally and profoundly afflicted by the sins of some of our brothers who have betrayed the grace of ordination in succumbing even to the most grievous forms of the mysterium iniquitatis at work in the world. Grave scandal is caused, with the result that a dark shadow of suspicion is cast over all the other fine priests who perform their ministry with honesty and integrity and often with heroic self-sacrifice. As the Church shows her concern for the victims and strives to respond in truth and justice to each of these painful situations, all of us...are called to embrace the ‘mysterium Crucis’ and to commit ourselves more fully to the search for holiness." Pope John Paul II
There were brave men in the Catholic church, like Monsignor Andrew Baker, who lobbied for the expulsion of "gay" priests, but those voices were ignored and shut down.
Whether or not any of you even acknowledge the scope of the problem or accept the high numbers of homosexual priests in your midst - you must accept what scripture says about the terrible consequences of allowing men of such low character has done. The Bible clearly speaks of the high standards required in both 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and in Titus 1:6-9. If a large number of priests are homosexual men (and there are), then it is without dispute that the Catholic church has a massive problem on it's hands which it has steadfastly refused to properly address - even to this day.
Moreover, if a man like Cozzens, who has held a plethora of assignments within the Catholic church (decades of experience as a priest, vicar of clergy, doctorate in psychology, and seminary rector) can be so easily dismissed, then where is this "unity" that the Catholics say they have, but Protestant denominations lack?
NKP_Vet's said he/she does not believe the high number of homosexuals in the Catholic church either. However, I must say I agree with many of things he/she said in his/her post:
And the way to stop sexual abuse dead in it’s tracks in the Catholic Church is purge it of homosexual priests. The Church tries to screen applicants for the priesthood alot closer now, but some still get in the door. It is documented fact that most homosexual men can’t control their sexual urges, and most like to go after teenage boys. Probably 98% of sexual abuse cases involve the homosexual men that were allowed in the priesthood in the 60s and 70s. Most cases are decades old. But lawyers see a fast buck when they hear the world Catholic. The media also will never tell you when they report a story about a priest sexually molesting a kid that the priest is a homosexual.
I disagree that the problem has been somehow solved or muted regarding homosexuality in the seminaries and within the priesthood ranks. I have not seen any evidence that the Catholic church has taken appropriate steps to screen out men of such malevolent character (and yes, homosexuality is malevolent and inherently evil). God condemns it in the most harshest and strongest language (Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1: 21-28).
As to Cronos' comment: And they will make snide comments on Christianity with their selective reading...
I don't know what is "selective" about this debate, nor do I see where I have made "snide comments on Christianity."
If any denomination I belonged began advocate apostate teaching that was in disagreement with Scripture, I would leave it. There are Protestant churches that are apostate. I saw a supposedly "Baptist" church in Massachusetts that had a lesbian female pastor who was to the left of Barack Obama. Paul wrote in the most vehement terms about the dangers of these false teachers. However, this evil does exist. I disassociate myself from their false teaching and I don't claim them as my own.
For Catholics who are likewise caught in the crossfire of false teachings and evil, then true followers of what Christ are likewise warriors on the same battlefield. We both want to defeat evil. We must be careful, however, to fail to see the speck in the eye of our own churches because it would make us uncomfortable. Christ warned of this as well in Matthew 7:3.
Homosexuality is a vast evil. It rapes, it destroys, it feeds off of the innocent.
Any true follower of Christ should be hesitant to condemn it - - no matter where it is found.