Gay Catholics struggle to maintain faith in church

Boston Globe ^ | 10/13/03 | Yvonne Abraham

[madprof98]

Grace Kelemanik, Catholic and lesbian, has worshiped with her partner at a suburban Boston parish for more than seven years. Their baby daughter was baptized there. Kelemanik has served on church committees, taught religious education classes to parish children.

But it's not easy being both gay and Catholic lately.

[madprof98]

To me, the most interesting thing about this story is that it ran on the front page of one of the country's biggest newspapers. Agenda? Nope, no agenda.

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[Paul Atreides]

but I believe God made me as I am, and that's not a bad thing. . . .

So, could it then be said that God made a child molestor the way he is? What about a serial rapist? What about a serial killer? What about a cheating spouse?

It's clear that the conflict is that they prefer their carnal lives here on earth more than they prefer their spiritual lives in the hereafter.

[jjm2111]

If this ping is unwanted, sorry, but I know you guys (gals) are Catholic

"'I answer to a higher person than the Vatican,'' said John F. Kelly, also a member of the Jesuit Urban Center.

Translation: God is whomever I want him to be.

[onedoug]

There's so much "me", "mine" and "I" in this article that it's easier to see how the sense of civilization is so easily ignored.

Social "feel good" as opposed to revealed religion.

[jjm2111]

"So, could it then be said that God made a child molestor the way he is? What about a serial rapist? What about a serial killer? What about a cheating spouse?"

Very true. I think God also calls us to rise above our wants and desires especially when they cause evil.

[mom-7]

This article makes me sick as does all the garbage published in the boston globe. They certainly are out to get the Catholic Church. If any of this tripe is true a lot of people are going to have to answer to a Higher Power.

[Skooz]

But it's not easy being both gay and Catholic lately.

I wonder why that is. Could it be Luke 16:13?

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.

[jwalsh07]

But it's not easy being both gay and Catholic lately.

I'll say.

[AmericaUnited]

''The reality is that every Sunday, lesbian and gay singles and couples and families gather for worship. They may be more or less out, they may be more or less comfortable sitting in those pews, but they're there. They sing in the choir, teach Sunday school, distribute Communion, work in church offices, they do all the things other parishioners do,''

Try this reality...

Mathew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Hey, don't get mad at me... I didn't make that up...

[Alberta's Child]

"But I'm 48, and I don't have the rest of my life to wait till somebody in Rome has a transformative epiphany . . ."

Interesting -- and very telling -- perspective. I wonder how long it's been since any priest in Massachusetts has reminded his flock that the duty to have a "transformative epiphany" lies with them, not the Church.

One of the recurring themes of the Gospels is that when Christ Himself walked on this earth, and people who heard His message turned away from Him, the one thing He did not do was "have a transformative epiphany."

[tbird5]

Why don't they get the hell out of the catholic church if they don't want to accept its teachings. They aren't catholic and I wish they'd quit saying they are. They are always welcomed back once the rules are obeyed like anything they want to join.

[B-Chan]

I believe God made me as I am, and that's not a bad thing. . .

What this person believes is irrelevant. What Jesus Christ teaches us is all that matters. He was quite clear on the subject of sodomy — it is an abomination.

Truth is Truth. It cannot change.It is not subject to the will of the people. These people need to realize that.

Homosexuality is like alcoholism: a disorder of desire. Like the drunkard’s craving for alcohol, homosexual desires are objectively disordered — but only homosexual acts can be sins. Like those who suffer from a disordered craving for alcohol, those who suffer from a disordered sexual attraction to persons of the same sex need our prayers and love — but we don’t show our love for either by catering to their disordered desires. Just as we teach alcoholics that the abuse of alcohol is a sin, as Christians we need to reinforce the Church’s teaching that the abuse of the human sexual function is also a sin — in other words, we need to make it clear that homosexual acts are sinful, not the mere desires, and that the only way to be homosexual and Catholic at the same time is to master those disordered desires and be celibate for life.

[esopman]

" ''My partner and I talk frequently about what life will be like,'' she said."

She might want to start talking about what death will be like...Matt 7:22 Bump.

[2timothy3.16]

So, could it then be said that God made a child molestor the way he is? What about a serial rapist? What about a serial killer? What about a cheating spouse?

God gave us free will, He did not make anyone a homosexual, a lesbian, a rapist, serial killer or adulterer. He simply gave us the free will to choose to do right or choose to do wrong. To be Born Again or to not be Born Again.

[Varda]

"And [other Catholics] get to see me and my family, and know we're not all crazy sexual deviants.''

Sorry but any random assortment of individuals can't form a family, only a man and a woman can.
And
sexually deviant = abnormal
If you think it's biologically determined then you believe that's it's also a biological error.

[HostileTerritory]

To me, the most interesting thing about this story is that it ran on the front page of one of the country's biggest newspapers. Agenda? Nope, no agenda.

I live in the Boston area, and the article ran because it's a very real story. We're a city with a big Catholic population and a big gay population, and not surprisingly, the two populations overlap. The Jesuit Urban Center has a large congregation as this article describes. Because Massachusetts is heavily Catholic, religious and political spheres overlap on issues that include but are not limited to how the law should treat gays.

I don't think that these gay Catholics are successful in reconciling their two drives in life... but I don't believe that they should somehow be censored out of the newspapers when we have the "gay marriage" lawsuit coming out that has triggered a response from Catholic clergy.

[LadyDoc]

She remains Catholic, not merely because she hopes to change the enormous institution from within, though that is part of it: Kelemanik stays Catholic because she was born into this church, and believes her Catholicism is as immutable as her lesbianism.

This is the problem. You see, if she remains Catholic it should be because the church teaches us the way to Christ.

You notice that no where does the article mention that the church is more than a social club, nor does it assume that the aim of life is not to "do your own thing" but to serve, worship and obey God... /

[HostileTerritory]

I can vouch for the article--I know people who are active in the Jesuit Urban Center congregation.

[Qwinn]

"But it's not easy being both gay and Catholic lately."

*laugh*

What a ridiculous spin! What, are they trying to claim it used to be -easier- and now there's some new crusade against them?!

I find this just as revolting as people who claim someone can be pro-abortion and Catholic. "I would never disobey the Church's teachings - if the Church says it's wrong, it's wrong! - unless it's something I'm actually tempted to do myself... then I must 'change the Church from within.'"

What a crock.

You know what I think we should do? Nominate someone for the Supreme Court who is pro-life, pro-gun, anti-big-government and a constitutional constructionst, but who calls himself a "liberal". That way, since by calling himself a liberal he can't be a danger to liberal causes, the won't be able to filibuster him!

Hey, it seems to work for them.

*growl*

Qwinn
A Pro-Life Agnostic