Posted on 05/08/2015 2:18:44 AM PDT by piusv
LONDON, May 7, 2015 (ChurchMilitant.com) - This Sunday, a cardinal of the Church will hold a Mass specifically for "LGBT Catholics" for the first time in the Church's nearly 2,000-year history.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, England will visit a notorious gay-friendly parish in London and celebrate Mass for what's come to be known as the "Soho Mass." This is a Mass consistently catered toward a group of active homosexuals who expressly oppose the Church's teachings on homosexual activity.
Cardinal Nichols has a shaky history with the Church's stance toward homosexuality. The group of "LGBT Catholics" in his archdiocese had been operating for years while critics called for it to be shut down. Instead, Cardinal Nichols merely relocated the group to a different parish and officially acknowledged it as a part of the Archdiocese of Westminster.
In 2001, Cardinal Nichols was roundly criticized by faithful Catholics for expressing support for same-sex civil unions. He went on record stating, "[C]ivil partnerships actually provide a structure in which people of the same sex who want a lifelong relationship [and] a lifelong partnership can find their place and protection and legal provision."
Cardinal Nichols made headlines in the wake of last year's Extraordinary Synod as well when he announced his disappointment with its final report. The problem? He didn't think it went far enough in showing "respect, welcome and value" toward homosexuality. He was "disappointed" in the wording of the paragraph that dealt with same-sex attraction and wished to see "much more positive language" in it.
The final report echoed earlier Church documents, stating, "There are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God's plan for marriage and family." At the same time, it also called for respecting those "with homosexual tendencies" and avoiding all unjust discrimination toward them.
The cardinal has also taken heat recently for criticizing almost 500 priests in England and Wales for signing a joint letter urging bishops who will attend the upcoming Synod on the Family to uphold Church teachings on marriage and sexuality. One prominent canon lawyer, questioning the cardinal's reaction, remarked, "There isn’t a word — not one single word — in the short, open letter ... that any Catholic could not, and should not be proud to, personally profess and publicly proclaim." He added that he was "at a loss" to figure out why Cardinal Nichols would apparently disapprove of the letter.
Church of England, right?
I wonder what Francis will do with him.
No, this is a “Catholic” Cardinal.
to hell with taking any moral stand,
There is money to be made
Too many “Christian” churches have lost their way.
I wouldn’t have a problem with filling a church with LGBT folks, so long as the pastor/priest preached from the word and accurately represented what the Bible has to say about homosexuality.
Why do I get the feeling that’s not going to happen here?
Great way to uphold the teachings of the faith,your Eminence! I suppose it might be marginally acceptable if he preaches the call to chastity for those with this particular inclination to sin. If not, this is shameful and scandalous.
It seems the Church has walked away from very simple teachings to where they almost want Christ to return....those that have soiled the Church will be judged...and not well...our test is to see if we hold fast to what we know Christ would do and say....and let these folks pave their road to hell...it comes down to choice.
I no longer at end Mass in my little I Diana town because the priest and parish is not what it should be....but I will never abandon Christ....he is the only one that by mere mentioned of his name defeats evil.
It’s like Bruce Jenner: you can change the outside, but the DNA is not changed at all.
So, is this good?
Church of England, yes
Henry VIII s invention
But they love these headlines. So do FRers
Catholic Church. No
A common sentiment; decades ago when they got creative with “the spirit of Vatican II” any who complained were often told to find another parish; instead, some have left the faith altogether (and with young people it is much worse). The American Catholic Church has backpedaled itself into irrelevance; no wonder the pro-infanticide Dems carry states with large Catholic populations.
A catholic cardinal who disagrees with Church teaching, not Church of England
agreed....anyone that supports the murder of a baby ..is directly slapping the face of the Holy Mother....even this current Pope is not doing the job as he should...which is a huge disappointment....
In and off itself, this is terrible, and has been terrible for the number of years this has been going on. Fortunately, this is the last one.
The Guardian has an interesting article, with additional details (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/14/lgbt-churchgoers-final-soho-mass).
Let’s pray the Archbishop and his supporters open their hearts and minds to the Lord and His teaching, loving all sinners, but, in love, helping them get to Heaven by avoiding sin.
So, what’s the difference between Catholicism and the rest of Big Religion?
As it falls apart, it can be laid at the feet of ineffective Popes.
This is one of Pope Francis’ boys.
>>Why do I get the feeling that’s not going to happen here?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/secrets-of-the-vatican/
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.