Posted on 11/24/2005 11:27:53 AM PST by NYer
Gay U.S. Anglican bishop Gene Robinson said on Thursday a Vatican document barring practicing gay men from becoming Roman Catholic priests showed a profound misunderstanding of homosexuality.
The document, due to be published next week, says men with "deep-seated" gay tendencies cannot become priests and that only those who have overcome their homosexuality at least three years before ordination can do so.
"I think the Vatican, or whoever wrote this statement, should spend a little more time listening to its gay and lesbian members rather than putting out statements," said Robinson, having read media reports on the document.
"This strikes me as language from people who profoundly do not understand gay and lesbian people ... who know next to nothing about being gay or lesbian," Robinson, whose ordination as bishop in 2003 plunged the Anglican Church into crisis.
The document reinforces existing Roman Catholic policy that many in the Church believe has not been properly enforced, but Robinson told Reuters during a visit to Stockholm it would only force people to lie about their sexual orientation.
"It's very clear here that if you want to be a priest in the Roman Catholic Church and you know you're gay, you have to lie about it," he said.
DEEP DIVISIONS
Robinson was the first openly gay man to be ordained as a bishop in the U.S. Episcopal church, sparking deepening divisions among the world's 77 million Anglicans.
Earlier this month, almost half the world's Anglican archbishops demanded action from Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams over "unrepented sexual immorality" in the church. Williams has always been personally tolerant of gay clergy.
Robinson said there were probably many Roman Catholics like himself.
"There are plenty of gay men who have faithfully served the Roman Catholic Church, who know themselves to be gay and who are faithful to their vow of celibacy. To exclude them from the ordained ministry is a real mistake," he said.
"It appears that being celibate is not good enough."
The document, parts of which were read to Reuters by a Vatican prelate on Tuesday, differentiates between "deep-seated" gay tendencies and a "transitory problem," but also says homosexuals cannot relate "correctly to men and women."
"That's offensive to me, and this language just strikes me as profoundly separated from the real lives of gay and lesbian men and women that I know," said Robinson.
During his visit to Stockholm, Robinson met leaders of the Lutheran Church of Sweden, which allows gay clergy and recently decided to hold formal blessing ceremonies for registered same-sex partnerships.
<< That's like the pot callin the kettle black. >>
Spot on.
That IS the pot calling the kettle black.
Blessings - Brian
May I suggest that it is the example of Gene Robinson and the Episcopal Church that will lend urgency to Pope Benedict's effort to enforce this decree rather than allowing it to sit unread in the American chanceries. So I say to the "Right Reverend" Robinson: speak up, you only remind us of what is at stake.
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is not strange if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 RSV)
The following is commentary by Ray Stedman
He acts like real Catholics actually care.
Amen, and thank you for posting that. Ray Stedman is right on the money with his statement. Wolves in sheep's clothing.
I predict that Pope Benedict will vigorously uphold traditional Catholicism and clean out the rot. I sure hope so, anyway :-)
Don't you mean "temerity"?
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams.
FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this moderately high-volume ping list (typically 3-9 pings/day).
This list is pinged by sionnsar, Huber and newheart.
Resource for Traditional Anglicans: http://trad-anglican.faithweb.com
Humor: The Anglican Blue (by Huber)
Speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15
1. IF a person claims to be Catholic while being excommunicated or schismatic, the person is NOT Catholic and is a fraud.
2. IF a non-Catholic attacks the Roman Catholic Church, there may be an examination of his/her religion in return.
3. Today, let us recognize a third exception: The Vicki Gene exception. When an official of an alien theo/ideology (poofterism) offends many of his/her/its own flock and backs that up by attacking the Catholic Church for not sharing his/her/its delusions as to which body parts go where (his/her/its mouth near a microphone, his/her/its non-Catholic nose in what is and can be only Catholic business and then there is...... well, you know!). That they know not which body part goes where is something that we all know about the lavenders. It is their very defining characteristic.
Methinks the 2006 ECUSA GC will make the WWE "Smackdown" look tame...I hope they televise it into all parishes..
It totally amazes me what one sinfully unrepentent man has been able to do: split apart an entire religion.
"It totally amazes me what one sinfully unrepentent man has been able to do: split apart an entire religion."
Henry VIII?
(Just a joke!! Don't shoot!)
He should STFU and let the Roman Catholics be Roman Catholics.
Oh, hell, what am I thinking. He would not let the Episcopalians be Episcopalians, he would not let the Anglicans be Anglicans, why should he let the Roman Catholics be Roman Catholics?
Given his outspokenenss on other denominations standings on homosexuality, I am sure he has stated or written droves on the evil of Islam in this area ...
"...if you want to be a priest in the Roman Catholic Church and you know you're gay, you have to lie about it," he said."
Here is a man who has made it all the way to bishop, albeit illegitimately, and still hasn't a clue what it's all about. He wanted to be a priest. He didn't hear a call. It was a career path he chose for himself, not one that God chose him for. It's all about him, Gene Robinson: fraud, imposter, tool of the devil. You have to wonder what his reaction will be on that day when he hears the words, "I never knew ye."
Homosexual Agenda Ping.
Just in case any of you want to torture your minds by reading what the fake "gay" bishop says about the Pope's document about homosexuals becoming priests. Warning: There's a photo, so scroll down quickly or avert your eyes.
Freepmail me and DirtyHarryY2K if you want on/off this pignlist.
Exactly.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.