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

[B Knotts]

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?"

Something about a door striking one in the behind comes to mind.

Why do I get the feeling that this woman is a non-Catholic shill, trying to get her opinion in the paper? Or, maybe even a "friend" of the author?

[B Knotts]

It seems to me that the Monsignor is trying to shift the spotlight away from the Cardinal.

No. He's getting to the root of the problem, which is sin.

[Clint N. Suhks]

He also called homosexuality "a disorder"

NO need to put it in quotes, it’s a disorder and always has been. This paraphilia was removed from the DSM by perversionists for perversionists at the APA. It’s a paraphilia plain and simple. Division 44 is dominated by those who practice perversion.

[FITZ]

If these homosexuals hadn't become priests, they would have still found kids to molest. Just like Gerry Studds did with Congressional pages, Michael Jackson and many others. They do need to lock these immoral priests up but also any other homosexual who preys on children under 18.

[Clint N. Suhks]

He blamed American society for being "very protective" of homosexuality.

Lemmings syndrome is alive and well among the Liberaltarians and just plain old liberals.

[Domestic Church]

"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."

Well, I'm glad someone in the pulpit is calling this a disorder and saying it was a grave mistake to allow gays in the priesthood but Mgsr. is shifting the blame here a bit...American society didn't let these disordered fellows into the seminaries...the Dioceses, Religious Congregations and Orders did. Now how do we get them out of controlling positions?

[uncbob]

It is not pointed out or emphasized enough that the majority of male homosexuals were VICTIMS of sexual abuse by males as children and teenagers.

Women victims of rape often need counseling because in some cases they believe they were the cause of the attack.

A similar situation exists for those who were the victims of homosexual molestation. They probably feel they were the cause and must really be homosexual . They also probably think they are now worthless as a heterosexual mate for the opposite sex and drift into a full fledged homosexual lifestyle.

We are seeing examples of victims suing for the fact they needed counseling etc but I wonder how many are not suing because they are now firmly trapped in the homosexaul community>

The message that this is the way and how most homosexuals are created has to be brought out again and again

[Snuffington]

I suppose that homosexuality is the reason why archdiocese after archdiocese covered up these attacks and shifted the perpetrators from parish to parish to allow them to prey again?

Don't rule it out. Insiders have started speaking about a "Lavendar mafia" of gay clergy within the Church who look after each other. This group allegedly includes bishops and archbishops.

[uncbob]

But they didn't Christine...because most Catholics and I suspect most Americans, have the moral clarity of those who applauded after, but are too scared of being pegged as a homophobe in thier jobs, lives, etc to actually come out and say what the Msgr did.

100% correct
Fathers and mothers have been cowed into abandoning the protection of their children
And the wimps in business are leading the charge with their extending benefits to homosexual couples etc etc
And the media is on the side of the homosexuals

***WARNING***
Things are already in place for using the threat of HATE CRIME SPEECH against those who woulod dare take a public stand against this situation

[Corporate Law]

Unfortunately, his age would probably prevent him from being a Cardinal, but the thought of making him one is a great thought.

[elfman2]

"I suppose that homosexuality is the reason why archdiocese after archdiocese covered up these attacks and shifted the perpetrators from parish to parish to allow them to prey again? The fact that this happened at all is terrible. The fact that it happened and the Archbishops covered it up instead of taking steps to remove the men involved is unforgivable. It seems to me that the Monsignor is trying to shift the spotlight away from the Cardinal."

Yea, this probably damage control as well as an example of blaming someone else for his own problem.

There have probably always been about the same number of homosexuals in the world. Priest have been diddling little boys for a thousand years. Homosexuals are naturally attracted to the Church. The Church knows this, but they keep the celibacy thing for power reasons.

Even if the retain they celibacy rules, which are completely arbitrary and not in the Bible BTW, a few other changes would take care of most of the problems. Male clergy should not be allowed to be alone with small groups of children. Men found alone with children in the Church should be severely punished, and abuser should be aggressively prosecuted rather than enabled and protected.

But the Church probably won't make the kind of changes that are needed until they're forced to pay, like now with billions of dollars of lawsuits in the pipeline. It's a shame that it has to come to that, but the Church has no one to blame but themselves, not Americans and not gays. Eugene Clark’s the point man for the weenie way out.

[Aquinasfan]

Some parishioners in the packed pews shifted uneasily, others nodded in agreement and a few walked out.

The only time I've seen people walk out of Mass was during a rare sermon regarding the disorder of homosexuality.

What's that about?

[history_matters]

I love this guy. He's on EWTN frequently. Spoke at our Church's Lenten Lecture Series two years ago. Time to make him a Cardinal.

AMEN! Make him a Cardinal already! And put him in charge!

[elfman2]

"It is not pointed out or emphasized enough that the majority of male homosexuals were VICTIMS of sexual abuse by males as children and teenagers. Women victims of rape often need counseling because in some cases they believe they were the cause of the attack. A similar situation exists for those who were the victims of homosexual molestation. They probably feel they were the cause and must really be homosexual . They also probably think they are now worthless as a heterosexual mate for the opposite sex and drift into a full fledged homosexual lifestyle."

This scenario sounds reasonable, but most homosexuals? Not to be contentious, but can you post a link or URL to that study?

[history_matters]

Indexing

[history_matters]

Unfortunately, his age would probably prevent him from being a Cardinal, but the thought of making him one is a great thought.

I can see the Holy Father looking at this situation and saying, "All right we send this one to the eternal monastery, and yes, that Clark man in New York! Yes, let's make him Archbishop of the world."

[elfman2]

"Catholic_list; Catholic_bashing Indexing"

Can you show me the "Catholic Bashing" here?

[Petronski]

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?"

Well, if everyone like Ms. Schubert walked out, the Monsignor's homily would have been an unmitigated success.

[history_matters]

Not because of the thread, but because of the article -- the quotes from Christine Shubert and from Dignity etc.

[uncbob]

This scenario sounds reasonable, but most homosexuals? Not to be contentious, but can you post a link or URL to that study?

I have seen several studies cited in the past but no I can't post a link but I am NOT making it up