Posted on 05/25/2004 9:09:30 AM PDT by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
The new leader of the Catholic Diocese of Worcester stunned gay rights supporters by writing in a church newsletter that Catholics, especially public officials, pushing to legalize same-sex marriage are ``in cooperation with evil.''
``Oh, my God. Wow,'' gasped Marianne Duddy-Burke of Boston Dignity, a group of gay Catholics. ``It's an appalling statement on so many levels. It disregards a civil servant's duty to the entire community.''
Responding to Worcester City Clerk David Rushford's public statements that allowing gays and lesbians to marry is in line with church teachings on inclusivity, Worcester Bishop Robert McManus penned a ``pastoral note of clarification'' published Friday.
After recognizing gays and lesbians as ``brothers and sisters in the human family,'' the note ends with a bombshell: ``Moreover, it must be pointed out that Catholics, especially public officials, who willingly and with approval facilitate the legal sanctioning of same-sex unions are involving themselves in cooperation with evil.''
``That's pretty strong language,'' Rushford said on hearing the paragraph yesterday. ``I just would hope that people from all walks of life and our society would agree that the civil rights of individuals are not debatable.''
Diocesan spokesman Ray Delisle cautioned that McManus was writing in the precise ``language of moral theology.''
Josh Friedes, advocacy director of the Freedom to Marry Coalition, said, ``Not only is he villainizing gay and lesbian couples and Catholics who support civil rights,'' Friedes said, ``he is also attacking reform Jews and Protestant faith traditions that consider the unions of same-sex couples worth blessing.''
And not only that, but he seems to have clearly understood and restated in his own words what the Bible says about sodomites.
A tradition since 1998? Right. The only "Protestant faiths" that endorse homosexual "marriage" are pro-abortion, pro-sodomy, self-worshipping perversions of Christianity.
That would seem to be in line with Catholic doctrine. I can't see why they'd be stunned.
"Oh, my God. Wow," gasped Marianne Duddy-Burke of Boston Dignity, a group of gay Catholics. "It's an appalling statement on so many levels. It disregards a civil servant's duty to the entire community."
And just what is a civil servant's duty to the entire community? To perform his duties as prescribed by law regardless of his own moral convictions?
Responding to Worcester City Clerk David Rushford's public statements that allowing gays and lesbians to marry is in line with church teachings on inclusivity, Worcester Bishop Robert McManus penned a "pastoral note of clarification" published Friday.
Bishop McManus, having noted that a prominent and influential member of his community had misstated Catholic doctrine, set the record straight. As is his duty to the entire community. And especially that part of the community that states that it is Roman Catholic, which apparently includes Ms. Duddy-Burke.
After recognizing gays and lesbians as "brothers and sisters in the human family,"
Not a conflict; one's family members can be in grave error and still be members of the family.
the note ends with a bombshell: "Moreover, it must be pointed out that Catholics, especially public officials, who willingly and with approval facilitate the legal sanctioning of same-sex unions are involving themselves in cooperation with evil."
I'm not clear on the bombshell. Is it the information that the Bishop stated, or the fact that he had the guts to put it so publicly and plainly? Discuss.
"That's pretty strong language," Rushford said on hearing the paragraph yesterday.
Well, brother Rushford, apparently you weren't listening when he (or He) was more subtle. If you read the Bible, Jesus often favored strong language. When he did use more subtle literary devices, he often then immediately explained them in plain language afterwards.
"I just would hope that people from all walks of life and our society would agree that the civil rights of individuals are not debatable."
Well, actually, they are. It is at least debatable as to what is properly considered a civil right and what isn't.
Diocesan spokesman Ray Delisle cautioned that McManus was writing in the precise "language of moral theology."
Yeah, I'd say that language was precise.
Josh Friedes, advocacy director of the Freedom to Marry Coalition, said, "Not only is he villainizing gay and lesbian couples and Catholics who support civil rights,"
If telling someone that they are sinning is villianizing them, then that's exactly what he's doing. At least, the first part. He's not villianizing Catholics who support civil rights, just those who support same-sex marriage. There's a difference.
Friedes said, "he is also attacking reform Jews and Protestant faith traditions that consider the unions of same-sex couples worth blessing."
I was unaware that a Roman Catholic Bishop was supposed to worry about those things.
What's up with the Catholic Bishops lately?
I dunno but I'm likin' it.
I suspect the prospect of an open proponent of abortion and gay rights who claims to be a practicing Catholic (even though it's not even clear that he got an annulment, or a timely annulment of his previous marriage before marrying Te-ray-zeh) woke them up to possibility of 4-8 years of daily battles with the White House that they would rather not engage in.
". . ..``Oh, my God. Wow,'' gasped Marianne Duddy-Burke of Boston Dignity, a group of gay Catholics. ``It's an appalling statement on so many levels. It disregards a civil servant's duty to the entire community.'' . . ."
SOmeone needs to tell this mangirl that a Bishop is GODS Servant - not a civil servant. As GODS servant Bishop McManus has done his duty well!
I don't recall the pastor's calling and charge being given from the gay marriage factory (formerly known as city hall)or the Massachusetts Supremes....
The man's DUTY is to be faithful to God, and prophetically truthful in the declaration, interpretation and application of the Holy Scriptures.
Just a polite reminder for Ms. Duddy-Burke
Regards,
Isn't this a conflict with her belief that people should accept same-sex unions on the basis that Christianity is "inclusive"? What was her opinion, I wonder, when California officials defied the law of the State of California and granted same-sex marriage licenses on the basis of their own moral convictions? Guess they shouldn't have done that, eh?
Isn't this a conflict with her belief that people should accept same-sex unions on the basis that Christianity is "inclusive"? What was her opinion, I wonder, when California officials defied the law of the State of California and granted same-sex marriage licenses on the basis of their own moral convictions? Guess they shouldn't have done that, eh? Bet she came right out and loudly condemned that.
Please see my post #28. She's not referring to the Bishop, but to the offical that the Bishop is correcting.
I certainly hope so.
Let's face it, gays, pro-choice advocates, civil servants and elected officials who want to be true Catholics and want to assist in the very un-Catholic initiatives of abortion rights, same sex marriages, capital punishment and even nuclear proliferation had better smarten up. The Church has been silent for way too long on these matters and it is now finally awake. The Church has a moral obligation to oppose their actions and deny their active participation in The Church and its sacraments while they work to undermine the very tenants of Catholic teachings.
Real Catholics do not support, condone or vote for these initiatives. Politicians who do and call themselves Catholics are essentially liars (John Kerry take note). Real Catholics hear the word of Paul when he states, "Be in the world-not of the world". Real Catholics don't become Democrats who are pro-choice. They don't become Missile Launch officers. They don't live gay life styles and attend church. They don't pray on Sunday and put themselves in the position to undo their church's teachings on Monday. In fact, it is very hard to reconcile being a real Catholic and holding political office. A real Catholic would have a very hard time being president of the United States. (John Kennedy take note).
If these people had any moral spine at all, they would resign positions that allowed them to derive power and profit from undermining the Catholic Church's teachings. The problem common to all of these people: from city administrators to pro-choice advocates to that stupid list of congress-people who wrote that dumb letter last week-is that they want to have their cake and eat it, too. They want secular power and prestige and they want to be seen in the front row of the Cathedral on Sunday morning.
As a Catholic, you cannot have it both ways. Congressmen who write to Catholic bishops, asking them to tone down the moral rhetoric with a veiled threat of returning to unpopularity; only unmask their complete lack of understanding of their own faith. The bottom line is this: Practice your faith in all that you do or leave the church. Renounce your secular power if it conflicts with your faith. That is the only way to achieve the kingdom of heaven.
Why do you think Christ said, "It is easier for a camel to fit through the eye of the needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven."? Why do you think Christ said, "What has a man gained if he should rule the world and lose his soul in the process."? Its not easy to be a real Catholic. Its about time all of these convenient Catholics wake up and confront the real issue: How important is your faith? What do your eally believe? And how willing are you to fight and sacrifice for it?
Thanks. Once I re-read the post I saw my mistake, but it was too late. My sentiments remain the same, howver!
The new leader of the Catholic Diocese of Worcester stunned gay rights supporters by writing in a church newsletter that Catholics, especially public officials, pushing to legalize same-sex marriage are ``in cooperation with evil.''
The truth hurts!
villainizing?
It sounds like this individual is engaded in obscurafication...
villainizing?
It sounds like this individual is engaged in obscurafication...
Woohoo! A real man!
Josh Friedes, advocacy director of the Freedom to Marry Coalition, said, ``Not only is he villainizing gay and lesbian couples and Catholics who support civil rights,'' Friedes said, ``he is also attacking reform Jews and Protestant faith traditions that consider the unions of same-sex couples worth blessing.''
No he's not. He's clarifying the teachings of his own Church.
Gay marriage is sick on so many levels. In fact, it is not a civil right.
Homosexuals cannot be happy with civil unions recognized by the state. No, we all must look at the naked emperor and admire and gush over his elegant new clothes. Civil rights of free religion, free speech, and free association--out the window. Begone!!!
Average, ordinary, tolerant people better rethink the limits of their tolerance unless they want their kindergartners to be learning of the mystic rites of anal/fecal sex. Enough, I say.!!!
End of rant for the time/day.
vaudine
where have they been for all these years?
This should have been the statement for years and years...
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