Bishop Soto Stuns national homosexual ministries conference

California Catholic Daily ^ | 9/26/2008 | n/a

[Pyro7480]

When two Catholics... learned that Sacramento Coadjutor Bishop Jaime Soto was to be the keynote speaker at the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries conference in Long Beach on Sept. 18, they decided to attend themselves to see and hear the talk in person. They say what they witnessed was a bishop who “courageously but gently” gave a clear presentation of Church teaching on sexuality....

But there was noting ambiguous about Bishop Soto’s remarks to the group. “Sexual relations between people of the same sex can be alluring for homosexuals, but it deviates from the true meaning of the act and distracts them from the true nature of love to which God has called us all,” Bishop Soto said. “For this reason, it is sinful. Married love is a beautiful, heroic expression of faithful, life-giving, life-creating love. It should not be accommodated and manipulated for those who would believe that they can and have a right to mimic its unique expression."

At least five members of the audience walked out during the bishop’s address. When he finished speaking, there was general silence -- with only a very small number applauding....

A series of about eight speakers came to the microphone to express their unhappiness with what the bishop had said -- and what they felt he had not said. One woman said, in essence, "We know what the Church says. What we wanted you to talk about is the value of our lived experience as lesbian women and gay men."

...[A] board member of the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries came up to one of the tables in the room and said, "On behalf of the board, I apologize. We had no idea Bishop Soto was going to say what he said."

[x_plus_one]

the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries

That's quite a mouthful...

[NYer]

Wow! We need more bishops to stand up and speak the truth, even if it injures individual pride. Once again, if these people are not happy in the Catholic Church, they have the option to leave. Kudos to Bishop Soto!

[Desdemona]

Once again, if these people are not happy in the Catholic Church, they have the option to leave.

Or they could do as a number have done and ask God for help in changing their ways, desires and life.

[Dominick]

From a brochure found online, "She found Dignity/San Diego and began attending Mass there regularly."

AHA!

"Dignity" is a banned organization for Catholics. It is not a ministry, its an anti-ministry, leading Catholics away from Christ and his Church.

[AliVeritas]

Prayers up for Bishop Soto.

[HighlyOpinionated]

...[A] board member of the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries came up to one of the tables in the room and said, "On behalf of the board, I apologize. We had no idea Bishop Soto was going to say what he said."

He had no idea that Catholic Teaching doesn't deviate for deviants?

They invite a Catholic Bishop, given that the Pope is Benedict XVI, and they expect this Bishop who's pledged allegiance to this Pope to say something other than what is Scriptural? I must need a lesson in gay-lesbian logic.

[markomalley]

Very nice...

[marshmallow]

A series of about eight speakers came to the microphone to express their unhappiness with what the bishop had said -- and what they felt he had not said. One woman said, in essence, "We know what the Church says. What we wanted you to talk about is the value of our lived experience as lesbian women and gay men."

Newsflash for the gays:

We don't change the Gospel......the Gospel is supposed to change us!

[Bigg Red]

God bless and keep this good bishop. We need more like him.

[DieHard the Hunter]

I admire anybody with the courage to do the Right Thing. This Bishop is a courageous man who did the right thing, and I admire him.

People can say what they like about the Catholic Church, but one thing is certain: its Clergy tell it like it is, without mealy-mouthed apologies. And if the audience doesn’t like the message, then the Confessionals are open but the Church doesn’t resile from that which has been said.

They are a good example for others in this way.