‘No Longer Silent’ supporters asked to seek ‘love and truth’

Following is the text of the letter sent by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted to the nine Catholic priests who signed their support to the “No Longer Silent Phoenix Declaration.”

Recently, I became aware that you and a few other priests of our Diocese have signed a document entitled “No Longer Silent Phoenix Declaration.” I am deeply saddened by this fact. While I can readily understand and agree with your desire to affirm the dignity of homosexual persons and to stand in solidarity with them in circumstances where they are uncharitably or even unjustly treated, I have some serious concerns about the declaration. My concerns are the following:

Its ambiguity stands in contrast to the clear teaching of the Sacred Scriptures and the Magisterium of the Church about homosexuality. Such ambiguity easily leads to misunderstanding and confusion.

There is a not so subtle implication that authentic Church teaching fosters intolerance and even violence towards homosexual persons, thus undermining the credibility of the Church in her teaching and her pastoral ministry.

The teaching of Christ and the Church about the sinful nature of all sexual activity outside of marriage is omitted. The tone and language of the document have the potential of being a divisive force among the clergy and the laity since it implies that those who do not agree with it are intolerant.

In light of these serious difficulties with the declaration, I ask you, on the basis of your promise of obedience and respect to the Bishop of Phoenix and your pledge of fidelity to the teachings of the Catholic Church, to withdraw your endorsement from the declaration and to look for appropriate ways to offer support to homosexual persons, a support that must be prompted by both love and truth.

For similar reasons, I gladly endorse the participation of our clergy and laity in “Courage”, an organization with an identity and mission that stands in conformity with the Church’s teaching. I regret that I cannot endorse “Dignity” since its mission statement fails to conform with the Church’s teaching. Likewise, I ask that no priest, parish or institution be associated with it or similar organizations.

Our relationship with homosexual persons needs to be that of Christ, one that offers full acceptance of each person as made in the image of God. We offer a ministry of pastoral charity that is guided by the Church’s teaching as found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (#2357-2359) and in the Letter of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons.

In the weeks ahead, I hope to publish some articles on this topic in The Catholic Sun. I also would welcome the opportunity to talk with you personally about this serious pastoral matter. In the meantime, be assured of my fraternal love and prayers.

No Longer Silent Update

As of May 13, the following priests have informed Bishop Olmsted that they are withdrawing their names from the declaration: Fr. Scott Brubaker, Fr. Chris Carpenter, Fr. John Cunningham, Fr. Mathew Mampara, Fr. Vernon Meyer, Fr. Raymond Ritari, Fr. Ken Van De Ven, and Bro. Douglas Zlatis.

There are Protestant clergy in the Valley of the Sun who stand with the Bishop on this one.
http://www.phoenixdeclaration.org/

A good bishop. I hope he never lets up.

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