However, if those trying purge the Church of these influences have a reputation of homophobic hatred rather than moral conviction and compassion on this issue...this ultimately and unfortunately will strengthen the case of those who want to compromise the Church's position on issues of sexual morality.
Those on the side of the homosexual agenda see anyone with any moral conviction and passion on the issue as a "hate-filled homophobe."
Therefore "homophobe" is no more appropriate a word to use in normal debate on this issue than is "faggot."
Both are equally demeaning and hateful words.
Given the far far higher number of times the derogatory label "homophobe" is misapplied to good decent folks, I'd say the word "homophobe" is even more insulting/demeaning than its counterpart, "faggot."
Besides, this is about protecting my boys from homosexual molesters. I have no mistaken notions that I must be "compassionate" to those homosexual priests who would bugger my children. I know too many of their victims to error on the side of a false compassion when dealing with these homosexual priests.