Posted on 05/20/2004 8:38:50 AM PDT by Phx_RC
Retired reverend says policy based on old science
A retired priest has informed Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted that he will not withdraw his name from the "No Longer Silent Phoenix Declaration," a letter signed by Arizona clergy calling for full inclusion of gays and lesbians in religious and community life.
The decision puts the Rev. Andre Boulanger of Phoenix at odds with church teachings and subject to discipline.
In April, Olmsted , leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, ordered nine diocesan priests to remove their names from the letter developed by No Longer Silent/Clergy for Justice in January 2003 and signed by 120 pastors.
To date, seven of the priests, five from the East Valley, have withdrawn their names in obedience to the bishop. A Peoria priest is the only other diocesan signer on the letter.
In a letter dated May 16, Boulanger acknowledged two letters from Olmsted who asked that he withdraw his signature and support of the declaration.
"I have given the matter much thought and soulsearching in these past weeks," he said, and "in the end, I found it necessary, as a matter of conscience, not to withdraw my name."
Boulanger said that centuries of church documents that "refer to homosexuality as an intrinsic disorder, a pathological constitution, a perversion of nature, etc.," and "objectively sinful" are based on human science for 1,500 years ago and earlier. "The best science that we have to this date tells us that homosexuality is not a disorder or pathology, but that it is a variation of the human sexual expression," he said.
"The object of our faith is in the person of Jesus as he is known to us in the Gospels," Boulanger wrote. "Yet, as far as we can tell, Jesus never once mentioned homosexuality as an evil. If this matter is of such importance, does it not stand to reason that he would have said something?"
Olmsted and other bishops were at a retreat Wednesday and there was no immediate response to the letter.
Names still on the List as of May 20, 2004 @ 8AM:
L#15--Rev. Andre Boulanger, Roman Catholic, retired.
L#46--Rev. Hugo Gonzalez, pastor, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Peoria.
L#108-Rev. Nils F. Thompson, OFM, Phoenix [Not yet mentioned in the Press]
L#117-Brother Doug Zlatis of St. Matthew Catholic Church, Phoenix.
It seems that the EVT has not inspected the contents of the List of Current NLS Signers lately, since two other names are not mentioned.
Note: Bolds and underlines added for emphasis.
Rev. Andre Boulanger should begin making plans on how to survive once he loses his pension. Maybe Ratzinger can expedite the ignorant, arrogant, heterodox's dismissal.
"'The object of our faith is in the person of Jesus as he is known to us in the Gospels," Boulanger wrote. "Yet, as far as we can tell, Jesus never once mentioned homosexuality as an evil. If this matter is of such importance, does it not stand to reason that he would have said something?'"
Jesus was living in a society that condemned homosexual behaviour. He didn't need to say anything.
*****"The best science that we have to this date tells us that homosexuality is not a disorder or pathology, but that it is a variation of the human sexual expression," he said.
"The object of our faith is in the person of Jesus as he is known to us in the Gospels," Boulanger wrote. "Yet, as far as we can tell, Jesus never once mentioned homosexuality as an evil. If this matter is of such importance, does it not stand to reason that he would have said something?"****
Masturbation is not in scriptures either. It's just a "variation of the human sexual expression", "If it was a matter of such importance, does it not stand to reason that he [He] would have said something?"
He has through His Church. It is a SIN.
I wonder if this retirement is on Park Ave. also?
I would like to know what he means by "the best science." Most psychologists simply assume that the social rejection of homosexuality is a matter of convention. This is not based on evidence beyond the fact that the psychologist's bag of tricks cannot help the homosexual change his ingrained habits. Jung's take on homosexuality was that it is a social pathology that manifests itself in urban societies where sexual role become confused. In other words, it is like prostitution.
Christ didn't discuss many of the things we know as sins. Drug abuse, for example.
How long should they wait before excommunicating these unbelievers?
""The best science that we have to this date tells us that homosexuality is not a disorder or pathology, but that it is a variation of the human sexual expression,"
Father Torquemada...Father Thomas de Torquemada, report to the stake yard ASAP. Bring a lighter.
"Most psychologists simply assume that the social rejection of homosexuality is a matter of convention."
They *must* assume that, or at least appear to assume it, or be pilloried by the bigots of the APA.
"This is not based on evidence beyond the fact that the psychologist's bag of tricks cannot help the homosexual change his ingrained habits."
Eck-chuwally, SSAD can be cured in many cases.
"Jung's take on homosexuality was that it is a social pathology that manifests itself in urban societies where sexual role become confused."
Yes, but we must bear in mind that Jung was a flake.
"In other words, it is like prostitution."
Prostitution is known even among chimps.
IMO, male SSAD is a maladaptive response to molestation or seduction in the pre-adult years.
"How long should they wait before excommunicating these unbelievers?"
Wait? Wait?
They should invent a time machine so they can go back and do it thirty years ago.
Flake or not, Jung noticd was reporting a fact: that Homosexuality becomes more prominent as societies become more urbanized. It occurs, of course, in every society. Francis Parkman observed it among the Plains indians, but the homosexuals among them were relegated to the same roles as squaws. I am inclined to agree with you about the molestation, which would make it related to incest, wouldn't it. Maybe the taboo on the one is related to the taboo on the other.
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