PRESS RELEASE
WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The following Press Release was issued today by the Rainbow Sash Movement:
It was ironic that members of the Rainbow Sash Movement were denied Communion at the Bishops Plenary Liturgy this past week in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC because of a public witness of their faith. While simultaneously the Bishops where patting themselves on the back about overcoming racism, intolerance, and the blindness of ignorance that cannot see Jesus Christ in our neighbor. It is ironic because at the end of the day hate motivated by good intentions, is still hate and a sin.
The Bishops just bury their heads deeper in the sand. Our parishes and schools are closing in mass across the nation, Archdioceses are going into bankruptcy and more to come, the needs of victims of clergy sexual abuse are being glossed over with money, a chronic priest shortage, a chronic problem with AIDS in the Priesthood, the role of women, and a hierarchy that appears to be clueless about its gay clergy: one could compare this to Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burnt.
Homophobia promotes blindness. Denying Rainbow Sash Members Holy Communion, for publicly witnessing their faith was grounded in homophobia. It only highlights the words of Bishop Gregory, out going president of the National Council of Catholic Bishops. Hate -- "It is a blinding shadow so dark and damaging that it keeps us from seeing Jesus in others." Joe Murray, the US Convener of the Rainbow Sash Movement, said, "We in the Rainbow Sash Movement have come to a place of faithfulness, our walk with Jesus Christ, requires telling the whole truth and paying whatever price truthfulness requires."
The Gay policy adopted by the Bishops is "don't ask don't tell." This policy must be challenged by Catholics across the board. Not to challenge this policy is to passively allow homophobia to flourish in the Church. How else can "they" know us and put a face on their prejudice if we are never visible?
Murray further said, "We will continue to come back to the National Council of Catholic Bishops Plenary liturgy each year to receive the body and blood of Christ, will continue to speak out on behalf of Justice for glbt people, and will continue to speak out from the pews of our parishes to challenge homophobia. While the events of this past week were deeply painful, we care for our bishops, and pray the Lord will give them renewed sight to see glbt people as human beings, with dignity and rights."
To join and/or find out more about the Rainbow Sash Movement please visit our web page at http://www.rainbowsashmovement.com .
This is a country with freedom of religion enshrined in our constitution. The Catholic Church has every right to hold the and proclaim the beliefs that she does on the morality of homosexual activity. Rainbow Sash wants to deny religious freedom to Catholic faithful by insisting that the Church must change her teachings. And by the way, Rainbow Sash is not a Catholic organization as I understand it. It was founded by Mel White, an MCC affilitate and former colleague of Jerry Falwell. How many of these protestors disrupting church services are baptized Catholics?
Homosexual Agenda Ping.
I wish I didn't have to ping this out to everyone. In another way, it's even more vile than the article about the homo-pedophile "foster father". Why, one might ask? Since this article doesn't have specific sexual perversions and horrible crimes against children detailed?
Answer: Because this is the promotion of such crimes, through the medium of what should be holy, obedient, pure, and indeed, sanctifying. What does "religion" really mean?
Religion really means the eternal relationship between God and the individual soul. Anything that helps that relationship of loving surrender (on our part) to grow, is real religion. Violating the basic rules of morality that God Himself has given us and promoting such violation - IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS HOLY - is blasphemy of the worst sort.
The homosexual activists who are doing their best to pervert what should be holy, are doing terrible harm to many, many people. People who are just plain ignorant will be more and more confused about what is right and what is wrong, who God is, what His instructions are, and how to follow them.
I hope that more and more Catholics will stand up with those who pray the rosary against this flagrant hypocrisy and sickness.
Question for Catholics: Could a non-Catholic join the rosary prayers to show support?
Let me know if anyone wants on/off this pinglist.