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

[Almondjoy]

THATS THE WHOLE POINT!!!!!!!!! Goodness.. your questioning my ability to see the difference in right and wrong? How could you of missed my point when it was staring you right in the face... it's not about what I think right or wrong is.. and it's not about what you think right or wrong is.. the point is there are certain things where right or wrong in your opinion infringes upon my rights... you need an example to churn those wheels of those.. smoking.. smoking is a perfect example of my right to kill myself yet the gov't sees fit to tell me what to do.. i'm sure you think doing heroin isn't "moral" but it's just as bad to this society as any alcoholic drink. My friend you have alot to wake up and see in this country.........

[saradippity]

Please document your statement that more sexual abuses are perpetrated against girls and women than boys. It is not true but is the line that we were told could be expected to be taken by the dissidents within and liberals without,if it became clear that they were unable to limit the "scandal" to the "institutional church". I have heard that they have actually fabricated opposite sex harrassment complaints to take the attention away from the "root" cause that drives the great majority of the abuses,which is homosexuality.

[Zipporah]

Uh.. of course I have heard of the sexual revolution in the 60s DUH.. my point being.. an organized effort if you believe there is one, has taken place in the last decade or so..

I know several priests personally that have left the priesthood and I also know two nuns, as well, who left their orders to be married and raise families.

[Travis McGee]

Homosexuals don't reproduce, they RECRUIT!

And for too long the church turned a blind eye to homo "chickenhawk" priests seducing, molesting and "recruiting" young boys into that filthy degraded death-style.

It has to stop.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

But you are talking artifical growth.

No I am not, the child is growing as naturally as any other child, with the medical intervention consisting of a full term incubator, which is exactly what you have just said would mean that life has begun. It is clear that you have not thought out the problem, you have not arrived at a consistent set of principles on this issue, which is why you are continually moving the goalposts. I am afraid that a definition of life which is that someone is alive if YOU say they are is not a basis for making decisions of life or death.

[Aquinasfan]

Does not alter the fact that the thief on the cross had no chance of being baptised. Therefore baptism is not the way to salvation.

If you believe that Moses and Elijah (who were not baptised) could have been saved prior to Jesus' coming, then it becomes apparent that the case of the good thief is nothing exceptional. Those saints who died prior to Jesus' resurrection, and His opening of the gates of Heaven, went to "Abraham's bosom."

[ventana]

Good grief, is this what happens here if we allow funding for our private schools via vouchers? It's what has happened at our Catholic Universities. The Gay agenda is long, deep, subversive and well conceived. V's wife.

[elfman2]

"Celibacy is not the problem. Homosexuality is the problem. "

In a way I agree. A case can be made that homosexuality, will always exist, perhaps at roughly the same level as today. On the other hand, a fair amount of people believe that homosexuals can be reformed, but I suspect few of them would be enthusiastic about giving their daughter to one to start a family.

Yes, homosexuality in the Church is the problem, but it's not difficult to make the case that well intending and often sensitive homosexuals with little desire for a traditional life with a good woman are disproportionately attracted to the Church, partially due to its culture of celibacy.

I think that the Church could also take care of this problem simply by mandating that male clergy never be alone with small groups of children, but only if the Church punishes them very severely when discovered. It would probably be a hardship on many Church routines, but less of a hardship than the billions of dollars of lawsuits that are in the pipeline.

Best regards

[elfman2]

"Each of these statements needs some support before they can be accepted."

If only I had that kind of time…

Best regards

[Cookie123]

Wouldn't it be great if this Pope - before his death - would put out a definitive "encyclical" on this issue once and for all? So everyone everywhere - and especially Catholics - could be totally clear as to just exactly what the official, definitive Catholic position is on this? I know they've stated their position before -but never in an encyclical that dealt only with this one issue. So many of the clergy seem to feel that the practice of homosexuality is NOT a sin, and that the only ones who are committing any kind of sin here are people who are inclined to be even the slightest bit disapproving of it.

[Gophack]

I think that the Church could also take care of this problem simply by mandating that male clergy never be alone with small groups of children, but only if the Church punishes them very severely when discovered.

I think this is extreme. We're talking about a very small percentage of actively homosexual priests. We need to change the process of acceptance into seminaries to routinely exclude homosexuals, because homosexuality is against the teachings of God and the Catholic Church.

I have two parish priests and I know both of them well. I would have absolutely no qualms about leaving my children with them. It is indeed sad that in this society today, priests are seen as guilty as a group, when in fact most are holy, good and noble men.

[Gophack]

I have heard that they have actually fabricated opposite sex harrassment complaints to take the attention away from the "root" cause that drives the great majority of the abuses,which is homosexuality.

You need to be careful what you say. I know that there is a great problem in the church today regarding some homosexual priests. Those who have abused children and young boys must be stripped of their faculties and prosecuted, and I pray that they repent. And while some Cardinals indeed have attempted to cover up this crime, I in no way believe for a minute that they MADE UP heterosexual harassment suits.

[Gophack]

There is baptism of desire, used in extreme cases like this where the individual couldn't be baptism because of imminent death. I would say that hanging on a crucifix next to Jesus Christ and declaring him as such serves the purpose of baptism of desire.

[rbmillerjr]

I have two parish priests and I know both of them well. I would have absolutely no qualms about leaving my children with them.

I leave my child with no priest... alone -- period. Most of the perverts who live in the secular world - appear no different than any other CPA, teacher, executive or neighbor......you simply cant trust your children with anybody. And at this time the Church hasnt demonstrated any comprehensive action to deter or coerce the perverted few to get out of stop their activities.

[Kevin Curry]

And while Catholics [in the US] are roasted over the coals because of pederasts in the clergy, Catholics in Ontario are condemned for not celebrating pederasty

Shameless and appalling. But upon reflection, not really very surprising.

Imagine if the gay activists ever succeed in opening up the Boy Scouts to gay Scoutmasters. The Boy Scouts will face the same whipsaw: forced to embrace the gay culture on one hand and bloodied with massive lawsuits on the other hand by parents whose young men are sexually abused by these same Scoutmasters.

[katnip]

You really should read all my posts..

I have read all your posts (as painful as it has been).

You talk in circles and have no valid argument.
You're tiresome.
Buh bye!