Posted on 04/20/2005 8:41:17 AM PDT by SkyPilot
(CNSNews.com) - American Catholics who want major changes in the church are not happy with the election of a "hard-line" pope who backs longstanding Catholic doctine.
The Women's Ordination Conference, a Catholic feminist organization working for the ordination of women priests, said the church desperately needs a healer, but the cardinals have elected a divider: "This is another example of how the hierarchy is out of touch with Catholics in the pews," said Joy Barnes, executive director of the Women's Ordination Conference.
According to the WOC, recent polls show that over two-thirds of U.S. Catholics support women's ordination, yet Ratzinger has repeatedly stated his firm opposition to women priests.
"Cardinal Ratzinger's election as pope will galvanize faithful Catholics to work even more passionately for a renewed priesthood that includes women," said Aisha Taylor, WOC's program director.
"We pray for Pope Benedict XVI to lead the Roman Catholic Church toward reconciliation for the church's sins of abuse, sexism, racism, heterosexism and all oppression. We trust the Holy Spirit will continue to work in our church to fulfill Jesus' radical message of justice."
"Rigid''
The National Coalition of American Nuns noted that the new pope has the reputation of being "rigid in his position as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, silencing and expelling theologians, priests and nuns whom he perceived as not being orthodox.
"He certainly is not known for his sensitivity to the exclusion of women in the Church's leadership," the nuns said in a statement.
The group said it would pray for a miracle - that Pope Benedict XVI "will, like the Benedictines, be hospitable and welcome all persons.
"We pray that he will be open to the full partnership and full participation of women in a church that suffers because of the lack of women's creativity and lived experience. We do believe in miracles," the National Coalition of American Nuns concluded.
"Distressing''
A number of homosexual advocacy groups expressed the Catholic Church''s future treatment of homosexual and transgender people.
DignityUSA, which bills itself as the "voice for gay, lesbian, and transgender Catholics," reacted with "dismay" to the elevation of Cardinal Ratzinger.
"The new Pope is seen as the principal author of the most virulently anti-gay, anti-GLBT rhetoric in the last papacy," said DignityUSA President Sam Sinnett.
"The elevation of Cardinal Ratzinger is being seen by many GLBT Catholics as a profound betrayal by the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church and betrayal of one of the most fundamental teachings of Jesus Christ as the loving Good Shepherd who reached out to the ones separated from the flock."
Sinnett called the election of the new pope a test of faith: "We express deep sadness for all those who will find themselves further alienated from the church because of Cardinal Ratzinger's assumption of the papacy. With their support and that of all our members and allies, we will re-double our efforts to speak the truth of our lives as faithful GLBT Catholics."
DignityUSA called on its members to enter into a "period of prayer for the church and the world" from now until Pentecost, which will be celebrated on May 15th. "Pentecost is the feast of the birth of the church," said Sinnett. "We pray that this Pentecost may be a time of rebirth."
"We hope that Pope Benedict XVI will follow the biblical tradition of expressing love and compassion for all," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese in a statement.
"In the past, he has made deeply disturbing comments regarding gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people so his selection as the 265th pope is distressing. It's imperative that there be a positive conversation with the Catholic Church about GLBT people of faith and we welcome that discourse."
The Human Rights Campaign noted that in 1986, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger delivered a Letter to the bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons. He wrote, "Although the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil."
"Disappointment''
The Triangle Foundation, which serves Michigan''s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) and allied communities, said the new pope has been among "the most virulent, hard-line doctrinaire conservatives, especially on the issue of choice, gay and lesbian inclusion and acceptance and most of the other "social'' issues faced by the Catholic Church.
"This elevation can only be a disappointment to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics and others of us who observe and monitor the Church''s activism," said Jeffrey Montgomery, executive director of the Triangle Foundation.
"Based on his history and his demagoguery it is nearly impossible to imagine that this new Pope will usher in an era of reconciliation and welcome. Ratzinger has been the author and voice of oppression and attack on GLBT people."
"Homophobic''
The Rev. Troy D. Perry, a homosexual activist and moderator of the Metropolitan Community Churches, expressed a "deep sadness that one of the world's most homophobic religious leaders has been elevated to the papacy, and regret that his policies will continue to devalue the rich spiritual gifts of LGBT people and women of faith.
"My faith teaches that all people can change, so my prayers today are that the eyes of Cardinal Ratzinger -- now Pope Benedict XVI -- will be opened to the unique giftedness and blessing that LGBT people can be to the church.
"And my prayers today are with my brothers and sisters in the Roman Catholic Church, and those whose lives will be harmed by church policies that treat LGBT people with less than unconditional acceptance and dignity.""
Only the Homo's and the homo enablers, Please!
I can't imagine what those gifts would be??? Maybe bringing on the end times sooner than the Lord intended?
Nope.
BUMP to 172!
Makes me think of this:
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to hell, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Matthew 7: 13-14
I don't think you can count them unless they've acted out. Even then it's a bogus statistic because if there's one thing people will lie about it's their sexual history. Let's just say it's pretty much unknowable. People will try to manipulate this no end.
Bump
BUMP, BUMP!
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