Gay Workshop Controversy (Another group falsely representing themselves)

WVLT TV ^ | 8/21/2006

[markomalley]

A self-claimed Catholic ministry from Maryland is working here in Tennessee to teach what they call, a positive approach to lesbian and gay issues.

However, local Catholic Church leaders are not welcoming the group with open arms.

Volunteer TV's Stephen McLamb finds out why this ministry striking up controversy.

Local Catholic Church officials say they do not endorse the group, that in the past have expressed teachings contrary to catholic doctrine regarding homosexuality.

New Ways Ministries held a small workshop regarding gay and lesbian Catholics and their faith at a local church.

"There's so much silence about lesbian and gay issues and what happens is young people who are confused about their sexuality don't know where to turn," says Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director of New Ways Ministry.

But is the organization a Catholic organization?

"We're a Catholic ministry. We work within the Catholic Church to help Catholics who are interested in doing this type ministry," says DeBernardo.

Local Catholic Church officials say they are aware of the group and the church found they were not fully representing Catholic teachings so action was taken several years ago.

"The founders of the organization were prohibited by the Holy See from conducting pastoral care to homosexual persons," says Father Vann Johnston, Chancellor of the Knoxville Diocese.

Father Johnston says they instructed parishes not to promote the event. The event wasn't even held at a Catholic owned property, rather the Unitarian Church in Knoxville.

"We didn't know of a Catholic Church and someone had told us that this church was known for being open to gay and lesbian issues," says DeBernardo.

But Johnston says the group called but never asked to have it at a catholic owned property.

"From the onset promoted it as something that would be held at a Unitarian Church locally," Fr. Johnston says.

One participant says he's disappointed the bishop wasn't there.

"I know he wanted to be here but because of the atmosphere in the church he probably feels he can't be here," says John Neff, who attended the workshop.

"The Bishop has some concerns about New Ways Ministries and is not going to be present because that would lead to confusion," Fr. Johnston says.

Father Johnston says the Catholic Church works to help homosexuals deal with their homosexuality while fighting any form of discrimination against them.

However, the church does not condone "homosexual acts" because that, he says, is immoral.

[markomalley]

Local Catholic Church officials say they are aware of the group and the church found they were not fully representing Catholic teachings so action was taken several years ago.

"The founders of the organization were prohibited by the Holy See from conducting pastoral care to homosexual persons," says Father Vann Johnston, Chancellor of the Knoxville Diocese.

Father Johnston says they instructed parishes not to promote the event. The event wasn't even held at a Catholic owned property, rather the Unitarian Church in Knoxville.

So, in other words, the group isn't even a Catholic group...but, I guess in today's world, if you say you're Catholic, that means you're Catholic.

Sort of makes me wish they could trademark the word "Catholic" (no offense to protestant readers), so that those who appropriate it improperly could have legal action, in addition to ecclesiastical action, taken against them.

[thegreatbeast]

Subterfuge & deceit are the hallmarks of inverts in their unending campaign to be accepted as normal.

[vox_freedom]

>>Subterfuge & deceit are the hallmarks of inverts in their unending campaign to be accepted as normal.

Seems to describe jonBenet suspect Mr. Karr perfectly...