Posted on 02/27/2006 1:12:04 PM PST by proud_yank
A group of 19 Roman Catholic priests from Quebec has published an open letter criticizing the church's stand on homosexuality.
INDEPTH: Same-sex Rights
The 980-word letter, published Sunday in the Montreal newspaper La Presse, is in response to two recent church decisions: the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops' opposition to same-sex marriage and the Vatican's refusal to ordain homosexuals.
Titled "Trop, c'est trop!" ("Enough is enough!"), the letter asks: Does the church "have the last word on the mysteries of political, social, family and sexual life?
"In these matters, the official teaching of the church has shown itself more than once to be wrong," the letter warns.
FROM NOV. 29, 2005: Vatican says no to gay men in priesthood
In its first major policy announcement since Pope Benedict's election, the Vatican in November barred men with "deep-seated homosexual tendencies" from entering the priesthood.
However, the Quebec priests who signed the letter dispute the Vatican's position that homosexual acts are "immoral and contrary to the natural law," writing that throughout human history, mankind has evolved and redefined what is natural to them. The church's views must reflect human evolution, said the priests.
Archbishop expects 'discussion' on letter
Sherbrooke Archbishop André Gaumond, who is also the president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, said he wasn't surprised that the 19 priests had decided to go public with their opinion.
He appreciated that the letter had a polite and in a non-aggressive tone, he added in an interview with CBC.
"I'm not very happy with the means, to have a public declaration, a public article in the newspaper on a Sunday morning to say, 'We priests are not in accord with our church,'" he added.
"I'm not very happy with that, but it's not a reason to throw them out of the church."
Gaumond said the issue will be discussed at a meeting of Catholic bishops of Quebec in about 10 days.
"What will be the result of our discussion, I do not know, but well, life is going on."
Priests who penned letter hope for dialogue
One of the letter's authors, Rev. Claude Lefebvre, said he's not sure what the group expects the letter to accomplish, but hopes it will open up dialogue on the issues.
Lefebvre said the church must reconsider its attitude towards homosexuals or it will not remain credible.
Another author, Rev. Raymond Gravel, said some priests who oppose the Vatican's position didn't sign the letter, fearing it would cause problems with their superiors.
This is a divisive issue within the church, according to Gregory Baum, a retired professor of religious studies.
"A church that is international, that is universal, has a much more difficult time to adapt to changing circumstances because it exists in so many different cultures," he told CBC in an interview.
Baum said conservative church factions in Europe and Africa disagree with open-minded dioceses in some parts of North America.
canada.. figures!
Well put it this way....you would have been burned at the stake for even asking that question at an earlier point in time.
You would also be minus a head if you'd happen to ask that today in parts of the middle east.
I guess they don't want to step on the toes of Muslims.
The Bible is a living, breathing document, right?
/sarcasm
oh my
These same priest have been silent, as far as I know, on the coninual meddling in people's lives by the muslim religion. I guess it is ok to mess with people's sexual lives if you are muslim but not if Catholic. What jerks. They are either priests or not, if they are let them abide by the tenets of their religion and hold all Catholics to the same tenets.
now stop that! LOL eek!
now stop that! LOL eek!
Oops. On post 8 coninual=continual. Spell check is my friend!(repeats this 2000 times)
At least when it comes to priests who have taken a vow of obedience, OF COURSE IT DOES.
And next time, capitalize "the Church," you silly poofters.
Hey, Running, I'm no Catholic, but even I can see the foxes in their henhouse on this one. And we even know the species!
The end justifies the means.
Those former Catholic Priests should join a heretical church! They are not Catholic anymore IMHO.
The Canadian _Progessive_ priests prove that what is Progress to them is NOT progress to the majority.. man oh man.. they need to form their own church is right!
"Does the church "have the last word on the mysteries of political, social, family and sexual life?"
No. But it sure as heck does on matters of faith and morality - at the least the last time I checked for the Catholic Church.
If you can't follow the rules, leave and start your own church - like the Church of Sanctified Sodomy. Its really amazing how far out of line with orthodoxy North American Christian churches of all flavors have strayed. In many respects they are far more "liberal" on these subjects thant he overhwleming mass of their adherents.
Maybe that wacko radio minister IS right - the age of churches IS over. And the anti-Christ is Islam.
What was that line in "See You in September" by the HAPPENINGS? Oh, yeah,"Bye Bye! So long! Farewell!" These jokers have forgotten who their Pope is is. Debates over. Buh bye!
what you cannot see, doesn't mean it doesn't exist, God can make something sacred just by breathing on it, his detailed blueprint on making people to His image and likeness starts with the start, embryos are sacred as they are made by God, I had a ndexp went to one of the seven heavens, if I could speak telepathically, then embryos are sacred BEFORE they were in human tissue, if you try elevating your mind, you will see
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