Pope Honors Death of Gay FDNY Chaplain (BARF ALERT)

The Datalounge ^ | November 12, 2001 | Christopher Barillas

[RobertBauman]

ROME -- The helmet of Mychal Judge, the 68-year-old chaplain for the New York Fire Department killed while administering last rites to a dying firefighter on September 11 in New York, was presented to Pope John Paul II following Sunday mass at the Vatican.

Judge was a member of Dignity, the organization that represents the interests of lesbian and gay Catholics, though there was no mention made of this during the mass.

"I offer a warm welcome to the delegation from the New York City Fire Department, so many of whose members lost their lives in the terrorist attack of September 11," John Paul II said in English to the New York delegation made up of family members and fire fighters attending the Mass at St Peter's Basilica.

The delegation approached the pope and knelt before him as one of the firefighters gave John Paul the white helmet emblazoned with a gold cross.

Former President Bill Clinton and New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton were among the more than 3,000 mourners who attended the chaplain's funeral on September 15 in New York. The president called Judge's death a special loss and said, "We should live his life as an example of what has to prevail."

He was a close friend of New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

AIDS philanthropist Edward Maloney told the Advocate he once asked Judge how he survived in New York's conservative archdiocese. "He put his fingers to his lips as if to shush the question."

Said Maloney, "Father Judge was neither out nor closeted. He knew how to walk that fine line and work behind the scenes. He brought bravery, dedication, loyalty -- and a touch of sexuality -- to the two institutions he cherished: the church and the fire department."

[Doctor Raoul]

AIDS philanthropist Edward Maloney told the Advocate he once asked Judge how he survived in New York's conservative archdiocese. "He put his fingers to his lips as if to shush the question."

Said Maloney, "Father Judge was neither out nor closeted. He knew how to walk that fine line and work behind the scenes. He brought bravery, dedication, loyalty -- and a touch of sexuality -- to the two institutions he cherished: the church and the fire department."

Edward Maloney is a sick bastard to co-op a priest's death to advance his "cause". Priests are not there to provide a "a touch of sexuality".

[Norb2569]

Why on earth does it even matter? He was a brave man, now let him rest in peace.

I concur. I am not homophobic and I wouldn't classify myself as a pro-gay anything. ANYBODY who has been around the Catholic church for any time has had to have figured out that many priests are homosexual.

I was sexually assaulted by a priest when I was an altar boy, many priests have done the same thing.

I am no longer catholic, but I am not going to condemn all priests or all catholics.

This Chaplain was killed by a jumper while he was performin his duty - PERIOD. His sex life has nothing to do with his BRAVERY and devotion to his duty in the face of great personal danger. His last act was an act of compassion..

May you rest in peace, Rev. Michael Judge.

[Pyro7480]

This is a photo of NYC firefighters carrying the lifeless body of FDNY Chaplain Fr. Mychal Judge away from the crumbling World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001.

Regardless of his sexual orientation (if his actions the day he died were consistent with the way he lived his life before that day, he kept his vow of celibacy), Andrew Sullivan, et al, shouldn't be bringing up this issue. Let the man's memory rest without controversy. He went into intense danger so he could minister to the dying. He knew the risk, and he went anyway. He died in the line of duty. There is no higher honor. R.I.P. Father Mychal Judge.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he, and all of those who died on September 11, 2001, rest in peace. Amen.

[itsinthebag]

"Said Maloney, "Father Judge was neither out nor closeted. He knew how to walk that fine line and work behind the scenes. He brought bravery, dedication, loyalty -- and a touch of sexuality -- to the two institutions he cherished: the church and the fire department."

Yikes!

[mo'shea]

Frankly, my friend, I wasn't even thinking about homos wanting my kids. What I was thinking about was the fact that any suggestion that homosexuality, sex-changing, cross-dressing, etc., etc. is other than fundamentally disordered is contrary to millenia of Judeo-Christian tradition, and I'm reasonably certain that it's contrary to every Eastern tradition as well. Why? Because those predispositions are inconsistent with man's nature.

Now, you can excoriate and villify me 'til the cows come home, likening me to a Nazi, the Taliban and all other manner of haters, but that's a cheap, unfair characterization. My view on the question is fueled simply by observation and acknowledgement of human nature, not on some unhealthy, emotionally driven agenda, which sadly is about all the basis that the gay rights lobby can lay claim to.

Your throwing over me the mantle of hatefulness affects my actual character no more so than the bedding down together of a thousand guys in San Francisco makes sodomy neutral behavior.

[RobertBauman]

"How do you feel about the black folks who died on 9/11, you bigot?"

It's interesting to note that the pro-homosexual gang react with the most virulence and anger. Please point out anything I ever said that was disrespectful to Father Mike. I hope people are noticing how the pro-sodomy people keep making outrageous statements based on stuff that wasn't even said. "You homophobe! How dare you call for the execution of all gays." ??????? Where does this stuff come from. And as far as my name, I have no idea about other Robert Baumans. It is my given name and it's not that uncommon. I have known several unrelated guys with that name. I'm 29, so maybe the Congressman was before my time.

[RobertBauman]

It all comes down to putting things in perspective, and judgment about what is important, and what isn't, and what is worth commenting on in the public square, and what is intrusive.

Interesting. Then why does Andrew Sullivan keep insisting on his website that Father Michael was a homosexual? Not one person has presented any evidence to support that other than unproven allegation like those used to slander Matt Drudge. I doubt either are homosexuals and find it curious that militant gays are so adamant in claiming others to their lifestyle.

[RobertBauman]

I think there are a whole bunch of Freepers that spend a whole lot of time in their own closet...self loathing

That's classic. You seem to think it somehow normalizes the gay lifestyle by using it as an insult against others. In other words "Gays are so normal. How dare you question their morality. You are so sick you must be gay!!" What kind of sense does that make????

[NYCVirago]

Then why does Andrew Sullivan keep insisting on his website that Father Michael was a homosexual? Not one person has presented any evidence to support that other than unproven allegation like those used to slander Matt Drudge.

From the official website of Dignity, the gay Catholic group:

Dignity/USA joins with all people of goodwill in expressing our shock and horror at the terrorist strikes against the US earlier this week. We extend our deepest sympathy to all of those who have lost people they love, or who are still waiting for word of the missing. In particular, we extend condolences to the loved ones of Fr. Mychal Judge, NY Fire Department Chaplain, who was a longtime member of Dignity, and to all our members and friends who have been directly impacted by these events.

From the New York magazine article which was previously posted:

He opened the doors of St. Francis of Assisi Church when Dignity, a gay Catholic organization, needed a home for its aids ministry, and he later ran an aids program at St. Francis.

More from the article:

But he was out to Thomas Von Essen, the fire commissioner. "I had no problem with it," Von Essen says. "I actually knew about his homosexuality when I was in the Uniformed Firefighters Association. I kept the secret, but then he told me when I became commissioner five years ago. He and I often laughed about it, because we knew how difficult it would have been for the other firefighters to accept it as easily as I had. I just thought he was a phenomenal, warm, sincere man, and the fact that he was gay just had nothing to do with anything."

Is Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen in on the conspiracy too?

[NYCVirago]

Please point out anything I ever said that was disrespectful to Father Mike.

How about posting the article with a barf alert in the headline?

[RobertBauman]

The article says what was well-known among those who knew Judge -- that he was gay.

So now you're claiming to know Father Judge better than those who knew him most - the firefighters? Sorry but that doesn't fly. First of all no one has any proof that he lacked sexual attraction to women and lusted after men (that in itself would be a pretty disrespectful charge). Second of all, if he had indeed been a homosexual and gave up the lifestyle for a life of celibacy and dedication to moral values - guess what? ... that's known as 'ex-gay'. Some in the pro-homosexual camp will use the most twisted logic to demand that a celibate priest who honors his vowes is known after death (and he can't defend his reputation) as a homosexual. I never thought I would see the day that gay activists would stoop that low.

[RobertBauman]

"His sex life has nothing to do with his BRAVERY and devotion to his duty in the face of great personal danger."

EXACTLY! Thank you. That is the precise point many of us are trying to make. It is not respectful to Father Mike's memory for homosexual militants like Andrew Sullivan to keep portraying him as a homosexual man. They keep suggesting it as though repeating it again and again will make it so. But that doesn't fly if you look at the cold, hard facts. The homosexuals in these articles were the only ones claiming Father Mike was 'sexual' at all. THAT is the agenda we are trying to oppose.

[RobertBauman]

"Homosexual people do not want your children."

This has nothing to do with Father Michael Judge, but can you please explain then why among the general population of homosexuals, pedophiles make up a much larger percentage than their percentage of the total heterosexual population? No pro-gay activist has yet been able to explain that. It shows up in all the studies.

[EdReform]

"Why are you in the pro-homosexual crowd always making up this false martyrdom stuff?"

You'll find the answer here: The Overhauling of Straight America

Seven Steps to Recruit-Proof Your Child

[Ann Archy]

YOU CALL that EVIDENCE??? yikes! Hope noone ever says something bad about you...others will take it as Gospel.

[DonQ]

...   I think there are a whole bunch of Freepers that spend a whole lot of time in their own closet...self loathing &mnsp ...

    True. But I honestly think that most Freepers have really good reasons to hate themselves that have nothing to do with their sexual affinities.

[B-Chan]

From The Catechism of the Catholic Church:

Chastity and homosexuality

2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of
       forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity
       (see Gen 191-29; Rom 124-27; 1 Cor 6:10; 1 Tim 1:10.), tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered." They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to
the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively dirordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be
       accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are
       Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can
       and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

My opinion on this subject is identical with the above.

[mo'shea]

As the Aussies say, "Good on ya', mate" (for being another lover of objective truth, that is).