St. Pat Msgr. Hits Gays On Scandal / Blames woes on 'disorder,' U.S. immorality

New York Daily News ^ | 4/22/02 | NICOLE BODE and GREG GITTRICH

[kattracks]

Edward Cardinal Egan's stand-in at St. Patrick's Cathedral pointedly blamed the priest sex abuse scandal yesterday on homosexuality, a "sex-saturated" society and a constant assault on celibacy by liberals.

In a 15-minute homily from the most prominent Roman Catholic pulpit in the city, Msgr. Eugene Clark labeled the United States "probably the most immoral country" in the Western hemisphere. He also called homosexuality "a disorder" and said gay men shouldn't be allowed to become priests.

Clark, 76, a longtime key player and conservative voice in the Archdiocese of New York, delivered his stinging homily as Egan and other U.S. cardinals left for Rome to meet with the Pope about priestly pedophilia.

After preaching about forgiveness, Clark detailed reasons he believes some priests victimized children. He appeared to place most of the blame on homosexuality, saying the theory that people are born gay "is not true."

"The tendency to homosexuality is a disorder, not a sin," he said. "But the practice of homosexuality is truly sinful."

Some parishioners in the packed pews shifted uneasily, others nodded in agreement and a few walked out. But Clark continued, arguing that it was a "grave mistake" to allow gays in the priesthood. He blamed American society for being "very protective" of homosexuality.

"Homosexuality became in the American exchange of views a protected area," he said. "And unfortunately ... homosexual students were allowed to pass through seminaries. Grave mistake. Not because homosexuals in anyway tend to criminality, but because it is a disorder."

'The Most Immoral Country'

Clark also criticized what he called "the campaign of liberal America against celibacy."

He theorized that priests who have a tendency toward sexually abusing children — a group he pegged at 3% of the nation's clergy — were affected by a barrage of sinful images in society.

"Liberated sex is offered to people all day long, all evening long," he said. "There is nothing quite like it."

"We know — we won't mention it outside the cathedral — we are probably the most immoral country certainly in the Western hemisphere and maybe the larger circle because of the entertainment we suffer and what it's done to our [country's] morals ...," Clark said.

Christine Schubert of St. Paul dashed out of the cathedral midway through the homily. "I left because I realized I have no desire to be connected with the institution of the Catholic Church," said Schubert, 27. "I thought, wouldn't it be great if the entire church walked out?"

But few did. Most parishioners stayed, and many applauded Clark after his sermon.

Marianne Duddy, executive director of Dignity/USA, the nation's largest organization of gay Catholics, called Clark's comments linking the sex scandal with homosexuality "incredibly horrifying and irresponsible."

"This is a poor attempt to deflect attention away from the church's culpability for the sexual abuse of minors by priests and its attempt to cover it up for decades," she added.

But Catholic League President William Donohue praised Clark. "He makes a great deal of sense and to have this said so articulately by one of the brighter priests in the New York area is very encouraging," Donohue said.

"The internal problem in the church is a lack of governance and due to diligence," he added. "But there is no question about it — this is a societywide problem that goes way beyond the Catholic Church."

With Gretchen E. Weber

[Kevin Curry]

The fact that it took 70 posts before somebody called this Clintonesque blame-dodging what it is says something about FR, and it ain't something good.

The fact that the liberwhackians believe America can swim in a sewer and not get soiled simply beggars the imagination.

But no one sensible ever accused liberwhackians of being possessed of common sense.

[Grampa Dave]

This is not just a Catholic problem.

The predator/agenda advancing Homosexuals have invaded most of our churches.

They do not believe in God, the birth of Christ and the resurrection.

Their religion is advancing the agenda of the Homosexuals! They are not Christians and hate Christians. They use the church to advance their homosexual agendas and to be a predator.

If you belong to a church or parish where the lay members have a choice re your selection of your ministers and priests, ask a simple question during the interview process of the selection of a new minister or priest.

"Do you believe in God, in the Birth of Christ and the resurection of Christ?"

Watch how they answer this question. You will be amazed at how many will admit right up front that they dont'. If they say yes, have them sign a pledge that if you find out later they lied about thess critical foundations, they will be terminated for cause with no parachute package. If they don't sign the pledge, they are out of consideration.

Last but not least run a thorough police and back ground check on any individual hired for any job in a church!

[gumbo]

He is soft-spoken and pretty tentative, believe it or not. Generally very diplomatic

That is my impression too, from watching him on EWTN.

So I am surprised he would make such a strong statement: but I thank him for it!

[RobbyS]

I am not addressing the question of the necessity of baptism but the fact that you were. And I am saying that you owe your faith in Jesus to those who baptized you . Without that faith, the Bible is just another book.

[Lucky2]

Look for the gay community to now start their campaign against the Catholic Church, much in the same way as they have assulted the Boy Scouts. It's a sad day in our country when a immoral, perverted group can flame the fires of hatred against what is good and true. God bless this man who had the courage and conviction to speak the truth.

[robertpaulsen]

I believe it was on 60 Minutes II last night where they interviewed a man who was sexually abused by a priest at age 14, and he said it continued for six years! And that was only because the priest was transferred.

Now, to compare the effect of that "abuse" to the effect of rape does a grave injustice to rape victims. I doubt they would allow themselves to be raped for six years.

[LibertarianLiz]

Well, it seems that there is at least one person in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church willing to point out the elephant in the living room.

This scandal has always been a problem with homosexuality, and homosexuals running the seminaries, and fellow homosexuals protecting each other when they are caught.

Thank you, Msgr.

[steve-b]

Speak the truth and you may be expected to be abused, insulted, condemned, and ridiculed

According to Kevie, the "truth" is that the scandal is the fault of everything and everyone except the pederasts and the apparatchiks who covered up for them.

[galt-jw]

what a pathetic denialist. own up to your churchs problem, msgr. YOU and YOUR church recruited these animals, then turned a blind eye to the victims when you were aware of child rape, and neither removed the pigs from the church or allowed the victims to speak out. and now you want to blame everyone else. i'm glad i have no membership in your sham of an endeavor. Christ died for all, but never for those who would not repent or act with contrition. blame everyone else, but not those most responsible. WHHOOOO...THE CHURCH OF CLINTON!!!!!

[RnMomof7]

That is the issue..and it is good someone has said it out loud..Maybe now with a little light, the church can do screening at the seminary level and in a few years the issue will resolve itself..

I can not help wondering how the "leadership" will react to that much truth being said out loud by one that knows

[RobbyS]

They do not believe in God, the birth of Christ and the resurrection. You are talking about the activists. Many ordinary homosexuals are believers--of some sort--. I read that in a (1980) survey of the homosexual in the San Francisco area that 60% of homosexual men professed to believe. Only 25% of the lebians did however. In any case, this is far below the 85% of the general population who are believers.

[B Knotts]

I don't understand why you've chosen this thread to go on one of your anti-libertarian tirades. Is steve-b a libertarian? Or is he just anti-Catholic? I'm a libertarian, and a Catholic, and agree wholeheartedly with what the Monsignor said. Just because I don't want to outlaw something doesn't mean I'm in favor of it. In fact, I think that the tendency over the past century to substitute the state as chief moral authority, in the place of God and His Church is what has led us to the current morass of immorality.

[SkyPilot]

Those disaffected can go off and form their own decrepit, permissive Gay Catholic Church where they can get in touch with their secular humanist inner selves till the cows come home without polluting the great congregation of those who have just about had enough of this darkness and scandal.

Good point, but they don't want their own institution. They realize it would be just a mockery, a heretic visage, a joke.

They want to rot the real church from within, dress up in its legitmacy, and change it to suit their own selfish, evil whims.

[gumbo]

If the Pope and the hierarchy trumpet Msgr. Clark's words from the mountaintops, loudly and firmly, it will be the best thing the church could do for itself.

Be prepared for "Act-up" and other Catholic-haters to throw condoms --and worse-- in the sanctuary of St. Patrick's again. But the Church must not back down in standing for the truth.

[grumpster-dumpster]

I realize you have not specifically directed any comments to me. But would you do me a favor?

Please do not try to turn this thread into a discussion about how Catholics will only be 'SAVED' when they turn their backs on their Church and embrace your own viewpoint!

This thread is about a Priest who has told the truth rom the pulpet! Can we please try to focus on the subject?

If you want to discuss what you want to discuss...start your own thread! Thank you!

[sinkspur]

Wonder if you would be so kind as to comment on the Msgr's point that one of the big problems is the "constant attack on celibacy by liberals."

It doesn't make sense and it shifts blame away from those who are truly responsible for the current crisis. If these pederasts had been kicked out of the priesthood when these incidents were first discovered (as they were in some dioceses) we wouldn't be staring down the barrel of RICO lawsuits.

Clarke also makes celibacy look like a fragile little flower which can't even be subjected to examination without all kinds of dire and unconnected consequences. That's just foolish.

[uncbob]

Good point, but they don't want their own institution. They realize it would be just a mockery, a heretic visage, a joke.

That's why they try and force their way into the BSA etc. They realize if they tried to start their own organizations they would flop.

This should be STRESSED. They are free to start their own BSA or churches and advertise homosexuals welcome with open arms. This is a free country.

BUT NO
They have to try and infiltrate existing organizations