Once again, in the diocese where “relativism” 
is a household word, we’ve got a Boston Catholic parish hosting a Mass to celebrate “Gay Pride” with the full knowledge of the archdiocesan hierarchy. The same parish’s “Rainbow Ministry” is also sponsoring a trip to see the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus and on the same page with those notices, they ask parishioners to support the retirement, medical and financial needs of the priests of the Archdiocese who have have given their lives to faithfully serve Christ.
The parish is St. Cecilia in Boston. Here’s their latest bulletin, and the troubling notices:
Liturgy to commemorate Boston Pride 2011
The Rainbow Ministry of Saint Cecilia Parish invites all friends and supporters of the LGBT community to a Mass in celebration of Boston’s Pride Month. The liturgy will take place on Sunday evening, June 19, at six o’clock, with a reception following. The theme of the liturgy, “All Are Welcome,” honors Christ’s message of hope and salvation to all people. We will also celebrate the diverse community that finds its home at Saint Cecilia and acknowledge, in a special way, the generous and warm welcome extended to the members of the Jesuit Urban Center in 2007. The Mass will be celebrated by Father John Unni and concelebrated by several of the priests who faithfully ministered at the Jesuit Urban Center for many years. Please plan to attend this special liturgy and support the diversity that makes Saint Cecilia such a special place.
Here’s a link to the Boston Pride website. This same notice was published in the bulletin at St. Ignatius in Newton. A reader via email said to us, “pastors of Roman Catholic Parishes promote the celebration of the Eucharist to honor lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. All of these lifestyles are condemned a simmoral by the Catholic Church. Straightforward question: Will the Archbishop remove these pastors? If he does, good. If he does not, we are at the end of the Catholic Church in Boston.
Then there’s this notice too, right next to the other listing in the St. Cecilia bulletin:
A June evening with the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus
The Saint Cecilia Rainbow Ministry is purchasing a block of tickets for the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus concert to be held at John Hancock Hall on Thursday, June 9th at 8 p.m. The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus is one of New England’s largest and most successful community–based choruses. Now in its 29th season, the 175–voice ensemble is celebrated for its outstanding musicianship. The concert is a kickoff for Gay Pride weekend and is devoted to the music of the Beatles. The BGMC will deliver a fresh dose of fabulosity to The Fab Four in a concert highlighting nearly thirty of their best songs. Based on The Beatles original arrangements and five piece band, this multimedia show will blend 60’s nostalgia with their timeless spirit of social change, peace, love, and understanding. Our group is also planning to have dinner before the concert at Geoffrey’s Cafe at 142 Berkeley Street. For more information, or to reserve tickets, please contact Melon Regis–Civetta at (617) 584–5422 or nanniemelon@aol.com. All are welcome to join us for this fun night out.
Why is there a “Rainbow Ministry” to celebrate gay lesbian bisexual and transgender (GLBT) activity and behavior? Where’s the chapter of “Courage” to help people with homosexual attractions live a life of chastity?
On the same page, at a level of roughly equal parity, the bulletin also has this notice:
Special Collections—Today and Next Week
This week’s second collection supports the retirement, medical and financial needs of the priests of the Archdiocese of Boston. These priests have given their lives to faithfully serve Christ, the Church and the people of God. Your customary generosity is appreciated. Next week’s second collection supports the formation and training of seminarians in the Archdiocese of Boston. Please be generous in your support of these seminarians as they journey toward priestly ordination.
On the same page people are asked to support faithful priests and seminarians, they’re also invited to celebrate the gay/lesbian lifestyle. To paraphrase the late newspaper columnist Ann Landers, ”It sounds like the pastor has some strudel in his noodle.” If Cardinal O’Malley allows this to proceed, we’ll have to assume the same holds for him too. What’s next, NY Rep. Anthony Weiner and Tiger Woods giving a talk at the church on the topic of marital fidelity?
If you’re as troubled by this as we are and you want to stop this atrocious scandal, call Cardinal O’Malley at 617-782-2544 today. Leave a message saying you want the Gay Pride Mass at St. Cecilia cancelled and their “Rainbow Ministry” disbanded and replaced by a chapter of “Courage.” The pastor should also be put on leave for supporting this and agreeing to preside at the Mass. If his regional bishop, Bishop Robert Hennessey, knew about this and allowed it, then he needs to be relieved of his duties as well.
A year ago almost to the day we posted about the problem of false compassion to homosexuals. Here’s a little bit of what Cardinal Sean O’Malley said in a letter on Homosexuality in 2005, (before Fr. Bryan Hehir started handling everything related to faith and morals in the Archdiocese of Boston):
The extreme individualism of our age is undermining the common good and fractionalizing the community. We do not want Catholics who have a homosexual orientation to feel unwelcomed in the Catholic Church. We remind them that they are bound to us by their baptism and are called to live a life of holiness.
At the same time the Church must minister to all people by challenging them to obey God’s commands, the roadmap for a meaningful human life that allows us to draw near to God and to one another.
If we tell people that sex outside of marriage is not a sin, we are deceiving people. If they believe this untruth, a life of virtue becomes all but impossible. Jesus teaches that discipleship implies taking up the cross each day and following Him with love and courage.
It is never easy to deliver a message that calls people to make sacrifices or to do difficult things. Sometimes people want to punish the messenger. For this reason we priests at times find it difficult to articulate the Church’s teaching on sexual morality. It is important to express the moral teachings of the Church with clarity and fidelity. The Church must be Church. We must teach the truths of the Gospel in season and out of season. These recent times seem to us like it is “out of season”, but for that very reason it is even more urgent to teach the hard words of the Gospel today.
Calling people to embrace the cross of discipleship, to live the commandments and at the same time assuring them that we love them as brothers and sisters can be difficult. Sometimes we are told: “If you do not accept my behavior, you do not love me.” In reality we must communicate the exact opposite: “Because we love you, we cannot accept your behavior.”
Celebrating a “Gay Pride” Mass isn’t expressing the moral teachings of the Church with clarity and fidelity or telling people their behavior is unacceptable–it’s telling them their behavior is just fine. Take Action today by calling Cardinal O’Malley at 617-782-2544. Ask him to cancel the Gay Pride Mass at St. Cecilia along with their “Rainbow Ministry” and put the pastors of both parishes who promoted this event on leave.
The catechism and magisterium of the Catholic Church are relative to NO agenda. Therefore, the LGBT policies are like oil and water–they WILL separate from the truth of the one, Holy Catholic Church. “Diversitarians” are shoving “feel good” viewpoints in the face of the faithful and we’re supposed to accept, except these teachings as not just politically correct but morally correct.
Look, I’m not judging–I respect individuals’ rights and freedom to believe as they think is right. But, I also, as a Catholic seeking authenticity, MUST say that whatever offends the Body may be cut off. Call heresy, heresy. Become Protestant–whatever. Sts. Cecilia and Pio–pray for us!
The Eastern Orthodox have a right to assent to who is their bishop and have the authority to demand that a bishop not to their liking, for good and valid reasons, be replaced. I think the time has come for faithful Catholics of the Archdiocese of Boston to emulate them. It’s time to gather signatures by the thousands and present them to the Pope in hope that he will replace Cardinal Sean, the titular Archbishop of Boston with an actual Catholic bishop who is unwilling to take instructions from his subordinates. This situation is far beyond intolerable. It’s disgusting!
I support your thoughts from St. Louis. It is absolutely deplorable in light of John Geogan and others. I would remark on Bernard Law who came to you from Springfield, Mo. He was sent in with a mission of a “firefighter” to handle the damage set up by Archbishop Humberto Maderos who was the one in the first place who sent in chaplains to the gay community who were then seduced. In retrospect, Cardinal Law was seen as being wrong in his approach. He was actually following orders albeit in retrospect misguided. The damage was not seen as extensive as it really was. Now, there is word that Cardinal Spellman disliked Bishop Sheen for much of the same reasons as the turmoil in Boston.
I fail to see why any organization, especially a Catholic parish, would find it necessary to schedule an activity celebrating the position some may take while participating in a sexual act.
You know it is really getting bad inside and outside the Church. The picture on your header of JP II in deep prayer seems very poetic when it comes to this issue.
What is next? I remember my parents having a conversation with my grandparents … what is next the Church sponsoring sodomy?…. my grandmother would quip.
I have a similar conversation with my wife now… ” What is next? Beastiality classes at the local parishes?…”
I guess we should just give them time, and we will be told that we are not being tolerant to that stupidity as well.
Jim Dorchak
Qm2ss.blogspot.com
Wow! I used to work there years ago in the 1970′s – this is so bizarre. Well, maybe not so much.
Fortunately there are people calling the Cardinal’s office to ask that he stop the event at St. Cecelia’s which is intended to celebrate the behavior of those who choose to engage in same-sex sexual acts, acts which are gravely sinful. When i called, I also asked that Cardinal O’Malley send priests to attend the Courage Conference which will be held at the University of St. Mary of the Lake Conference Center, Mundelein,IL 60060-1174 from Aug. 4-Aug.7,2011. It is time that Cardinal O’Malley join together with Cardinal George, Cardinal Raymond Burke,Bishop Thomas Olmstead,Bishop John LeVoir,Bishop Thomas Poprocki, and Bishop Mark Steitz who will all join the Director of Courage,Fr. Paul Check in their effort to bring the good news of Courage/EnCourage to our priests and parishioners through this conference.
A few years ago, Cardinal O’Malley invited Courage to have its yearly conference at the Marian Center(Betania) in Medway. It could not be held at Boston College because of the anti-Catholic activity that has been advocated on the B.C. campus by the GLBT and the Lesbian and Gay Faculty,Staff and Administration Association at Boston College(LGFSAA) developed by Boston College Theology Professor Harry John McDargh with the approval of B.C. President Fr. Leahy and with the full knowledge of Cardinal O’Malley. Now it is time for Cardinal O’Malley to put his efforts into showing that he fully supports the way of Courage/EnCourage by instructing priests and parishioners in the way of Courage, which is the only way approved by the Holy See. This is essential to the integrity of the Boston Archdiocese. Appearing to support the Gay Pride celebration of homosexual acts to be held at St. Cecelia’s by his silence will have serious consequences upon the Archdiocese. Hopefully, Cardinal O’Malley will have the courage to openly and publicly support the way of Courage. When he allowed Courage to hold the conference in Medway ,he was just putting his little toe in the water!
Well said.
Living a chaste life with Courage:Fr.Paul Check
In today’s St.Louis Post-Dispatch. there is an article entitled “Catholic groups contest part of civil union law”. This is a reprint from the Chicago Tribune in regard to the Illinois dioceses of Springfield, Peoria and Joliet seeking an emergency injunction to protect Catholic Charities from litigation in regard to adoption in civil unions and foster parents. Obviously, this is diamtrically opposed to what continues to evolve in Boston.
Whitewash: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xABl6d_Dm2s
Great job reporting on this evil.
Cardinal O’Malley needs to close alot of parishes. This one should be on the top of his
list!
Cardinal O’Malley needs to leave!
He has done enough damage.
O’Malley permitted Romney to get away with forcing same-sex “marriage” on America and gave Romney cover for claiming that he (Romney) could do nothing to prevent Catholic Charities from being forced out of business. His colossal failure here has set the stage for England’s Catholic Charities to be forced into law suits. At least there, ironically, they are standing up courageously and fighting for their religious freedom. O’Malley single-handedly surrendered religious freedoms here for America.
One has to question either his motives or his mental capacity,
He needs to leave.
Brothers , Sisters, Now is the time to pray and fast and spend some time in adoration and expiation before the Blessed Sacrament.
Hi all,
If you’re interested in churches that are listed as gay friendly by one website, follow the link to: http://www.gaychurch.org/Find_a_Church/united_states/us_massachusetts.htm
A couple of the names surprised me. Others, not.
Whether we like it or not. People who live a gay lifestyle need the grace and intercession of Our Lord and Saviour.
Part of the catholic-universal church is that we welcome all to the faith. Especially sinners of which we our all guilty.
Everyone I know has their own battles they are fighting. Better to spend time in prayer for them rather then gossip on some blog about dumping a man who has served the church for most of his life.
deaconpadraig, I have contended for some time that Cardinal Sean is a wonderful Franciscan priest. That doesn’t make him a good bishop. In that light, I’d add a couple of words to your last sentence. The Cardinal is a man who has served the Church for most of his life and is now leading a major Archdiocese into heresy.
I am from Los Angeles, a city full of modernism and wishy-washed Fake Catholics.
The Cardinal is leading his flock into HERESY.
Homosexual acts are sinful and Pride is one of the Seven Deadly Sins.
TO use the holy name of Jesus in the Sacrifice of the Mass with his body and blood present is not only against the teachings of the Church, but is completely inauthentic and NOT in-line with the teachings of the Magisterium. Get your Catholicism straight and stop being such a limp “Catholic” noodle! May Saint Joseph, patron of the Universal Church and terror of Demons rebuke you and Holy Mother Church’s true enemies!
Yes it is important to welcome all to the faith. However, there are some – even many Catholics, poorly instructed in their faith, who believe that all judging is wrong and that love of enemies means condoning vice and sin. In the words of Dr. Germain Grisez, one of the finest moral theologians of our time, “It might seem to follow that love must accept everyone, even enemies, just as they are, and to affirm them even in the error or sin which is present in them. But the law of love does not require indiscriminate affirmation of everything about other persons (see Saint Thomas Aquinas, S.t., 2-2, q.34, a.3). One’s love must be like Jesus’. He loves sinners and brings them into communion with himself in order to overcome their error and sin. When the scribes and pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, he not only saves her from being stoned to death but warns her not to sin again (see John 8:3-11). In a true sense, Jesus is not judgmental, he sets aside the legalistic mentality, readily forgives sinners, does not condemn the world, and points out that those who refuse to acknowledge their sinfulness are self-condemned by the truth they violate (see John 3:16-21). But he realistically recognizes sinners as sinners and never accepts error as truth…
Similarly, if Christians’ love of neighbor is genuine, it not only permits but REQUIRES THEM both to ‘hold fast to what is good’ and to ‘hate what is evil’ (Romans 12:9).”And again, according to Dr. Grisez, “Vatican II neatly formulates the prohibition against judging others” ‘God alone is the judge and searcher of hearts; for that reason, he forbids us to make judgments about the internal guilt of anyone’ (Gaudium et Spes, No. 28). This norm, however, does not preclude JUDGMENTS necessary for determining that one should try to dissuade others from committing sins or to encourage them to repent if they have sinned.”
Understand Deacon?
With all respect, DEACON.
Pride and Homosexuality are against the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
HOW dare anyone use the sacrifice of the Blessed Lord for the purposes of this sinful acts within the boundaries of the Catholic Church? It is disgraceful, inauthentic and completely incongruent with the Magisterium of the Church.
So I believe you are a Deacon, if you are? Can you please refer yourself to the Catechism and the EDICT FROM ROME and not from your kumbaya-catholic-watered-DOWN mentality?
God love you!
I nominate Father Tom Doyle, CSC to be the parade marshall.
Not one word in the bulletin announcements that are quoted speaks of homosexual acts. Therefore, everybody who posts here saying that this somehow means that the parish is endorsing homosexual behavior is making an unsupported inference. And to extrapolate from that piece of blatant illogic to the wild accusations against Cardinal Seán is absolute nonsense and a sinful rash judgment and slander. If your malformed consciences were not totally ignorant of the demands of justice in speech and if you were capable of thinking clearly you would be guilty of serious sin and need to go to confession for your absurd slanders. But as it is, “Father, forgive these ranters, for they know not.”
But realize that it is the work of Satan to try to set the flock against their shepherd.
naturgesetz, your remarks are either sadly naive or entirely disingenuous, or both. Make no mistake about it, when you support homosexuals as a group, you are supporting homosexual activity. Did you really expect to see ‘Come out and support Homosexual sex!’ in the bulletin??
The record of Cardinal Sean and the heretic priest whose name inspired this forum, are on the record. I think you have it backwards.
YOUR CARDINAL SUPPORTS HERESY! HOMOSEXUALITY AND PRIDE ARE SINS AGAINST GOD THE MOST BLESSED TRINITY! IT OFFENDS THE SUCCESSOR OF SAINT PETER AND HAS NO PLACE IN ROMAN CATHOLIC DOGMA OR TEACHING!
MUST I REFER YOU TO THE CANON LAWS? AND HOLY CATHECISM OF OUR FAITH!
DO NOT BE A FAKE INAUTHENTIC CATHOLIC!
naturgesetz,
The Mass was announced for “in celebration of Boston’s Pride Month.” It invites supporters of the GLBT community, which means gay lesbian bisexual transendered. Here is the website for Boston Pride. http://www.bostonpride.org/
Check it out. The Mass was to have been following Gay Pride week. Maybe you are unaware of what “Gay Pride” actually means. It celebrates the GLBT lifestyle and homosexual activity.Those who post here saying this means the parish is endorsing homosexual behavior are making well-supported statements.
Joe — I checked out the website. I found this statement of the theme of Pride Week.
“The 2011 Boston Pride Theme reminds us to continue the fight for full and true equality, with no exceptions and no concessions. Equal treatment under the law, in our schools, at work, in our neighborhoods, at church. Anywhere and Everywhere. We expect to be treated with respect and fairness by our peers, families, elected officials, doctors, landlords, employers, neighbors and religious leaders. Anyone and Everyone. We insist on the same rights, dignity, protection, access and opportunities in our towns, cities, countries and worldwide. All people. All places. All ways. EQUALITY. No More. No Less.”
As I read this, it says nothing different from what the Church, in her official statements, says about the right of homosexual individuals to equality. Clearly, we do not support same-sex “marriage,” and we teach that homosexual sexual activity is wrong. But this statement mentions neither of these. In other words, the only way one can say that Pride Week celebrates homosexual activity is by reading it into what they actually says. I am not so naive as to think that the participants in Pride Week are all living chaste lives, but I think we need to take the organizers’ words at face value and refrain from insisting that they carry a hidden meaning.
When we take the opportunity to state clearly, on occasions such as these, that “The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in word, in action and in law,” as the CDF put it in 1986, then we help people to see how false it is when our enemies claim that the Church hates homosexuals.
It is extremely important, IMO, for us not to conflate acceptable statements regarding the rights of all to fair treatment with support for sexual immorality. It has to be possible for us to follow the lead of the CDF and the USCCB without being falsely accused of supporting homosexual activity or promoting heresy. The reason this is important it that as a Church and as individual members of that Church, we are obliged to invite all to the Kingdom of God, to the love of God shining in the saving life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Without denying any of the Church’s moral teaching, we must extend Christ’s invitation to all, especially to those who mistakenly feel rejected.
Sorry. I didn’t proofread.
In the second full paragraph, the sentence
“In other words, the only way one can say that Pride Week celebrates homosexual activity is by reading it into what they actually says.”
should read
“In other words, the only way one can say that Pride Week celebrates homosexual activity is by reading into it something other than what it’s organizers actually say.”
naturgesetz,
Thanks for your thoughtfully expressed comments. Perhaps you’re not familiar with several details. Allow me to elaborate.
When the website says they want to “continue the fight for full and true equality, with no exceptions and no concessions,” do you realize that includes “marriage equality”? In other words, part of what “Gay Pride” is about includes the legal right for same-sex couples to marry. “Equal treatment under the law, in our schools, at work, in our neighborhoods, at church. Anywhere and Everywhere….All ways. EQUALITY. No More. No Less.” That is completely against natural law, millenia of history across all cultures and religions, and Catholic Church teachings and beliefs. Do a google search on “marriage equality” and see what you find.
Maybe you’re not familiar with what transpires in Gay Pride Week beyond the descriptive words on the website. Gay Pride events and programs don’t teach that homosexual sexual activity is wrong, and people who support same-sex “marriage” has been actively involved in Gay Pride for years. Do a search in Google Images on “gay pride parade” and look at the pictures.
See a few photos from the 2010 Boston event here:
http://www.massresistance.org/docs/gen/10c/pride_week/general.html
Examples of what you’ll see include pictures of BDSM (bondage, discipline, sado-masochism) activists, and Transgenderism and cross-dressing.
After looking at these pictures, do you really believe that Pride Week is not about celebrating homosexual activity?
As you said we do “invite all to the Kingdom of God, to the love of God shining in the saving life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without denying any of the Church’s moral teaching, we must extend Christ’s invitation to all, especially to those who mistakenly feel rejected.”
Unfortunately, the Church’s moral teachings are ignored and denied by those who support Gay Pride. Just look at the pictures, and read the comments posted here by those critical of this blog.
Certainly, the images show aspects of homosexual conduct that are morally unacceptable. There can be no blanket endorsement of everything that happens in such a parade. In fact, several years ago I saw pictures from a parade, possibly in Toronto, where some participants were completely naked — which would, under any other circumstances, have led to the arrest of the individuals on the spot.
Given the presence of such things in Pride parades, it is understandable that the Archdiocese canceled the Mass scheduled for next week.
I just think we need to find ways of communicating the Church’s nuanced position with respect to homosexuals and homosexuality. And I think that as a Church, and as individual Christians, we need to take the same attitude toward homosexual sinners as we do toward all the other sinners who make up the Church: we never deny the Church’s moral teaching, but we realize that people already know what the Church teaches. When appropriate we should try to present the reasons for that teaching in a fashion which shows how they arise from God’s loving plan for us (and I think JPII’s Theology of the Body is an excellent presentation) in order to appeal as effectively as we can to the consciences of those who sin — but we don’t need to beat them over the head with it all the time. At times we need to “eat and drink with sinners.” And we need to realize that conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit, that God is more patient than we are, and that we must let ourselves be channels of his love and grace as much as we can, and never drive away those whom God may be slowly drawing to himself.
As I today attend a wedding of two committed and loving transgender individuals and as it is blessed by clergy I will pray for those who in fear seek to deny Christ’s love for all people as they are, not as you wish and demand that they be, like you. it is not about sex, it is not about lifestyle- it is about rigid doctrine that supports and protects fear and hate and exclusion.
jay Saco — The Catholic Church does not “deny Christ’s love for all people as they are” or support and protect “fear and hate and exclusion.”
For example, in 1986, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, under Cardinal Ratzinger, said, “The characteristic concern and good will exhibited by many clergy and religious in their pastoral care for homosexual persons is admirable, and, we hope, will not diminish. … We encourage the Bishops, then, to provide pastoral care in full accord with the teaching of the Church for homosexual persons of their dioceses. … An authentic pastoral programme will assist homosexual persons at all levels of the spiritual life: through the sacraments, and in particular through the frequent and sincere use of the sacrament of Reconciliation, through prayer, witness, counsel and individual care.”
And the bishops of the United States concluded their letter “Always Our Children” by saying, “To our homosexual brothers and sisters we offer a concluding word. This message has been an outstretched hand to your parents and families inviting them to accept God’s grace present in their lives now and to trust in the unfailing mercy of Jesus our Lord. Now we stretch out our hands and invite you to do the same. We are called to become one body, one spirit in Christ.
Though at times you may feel discouraged, hurt, or angry, do not walk away from your families, from the Christian community, from all those who love you. In you God’s love is revealed. You are always our children.”
This from the Archdiocesian Website (below) – this isolation and judgement of others is hypocritical and un christian – and in light of how the church act with abusive priests – juts plain pathetic
“Salvation, then, is not a self-centered pursuit. We share the good news so that others, and not just ourselves, may hear it and come to know and love God.
The Church is God’s family on earth. Like a family, we care for one another, reaching out to those in need both within the family and in the world.”
The Church is not God’s family on Earth. You are expressing Kumbaya mentality here.
The Church is founded by Jesus Christ on the rock of Saint Peter, the FIRST POPE.
There is no salvation outside the church, and no other priest or clergy can save you without the keys of Heaven and Hell which Christ himself appointed to the Roman Papacy!
So skip your rainbow wishing watered-down Catholicism and speak the honest truth because NOT ALL Catholics are NOT blind to their faith and we are NOT backing down from our holy doctrines!
Salvation is not a self-centered pursuit. But homosexual activity is. The homosexual inclination itself is essentially self-centered and self-indulgent. In the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s Letter to Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons, Cardinal Ratzinger summarized the biblical teaching on homosexuality and explained why the Church’s teaching on this subject follows necessarily from her teaching on the nature and purpose of sexuality:
“The Church, obedient to the Lord who founded her and gave to her the sacramental life, celebrates the divine plan of the loving and life-giving union of men and women in the Sacrament of Marriage. It is only in the marital relationship that the use of the sexual faculty can be morally good. A person engaging in homosexual behavior therefore acts immorally. To choose someone of the same sex for one’s sexual activity is to annul the rich symbolism and meaning, not to mention the goals, of the Creator’s sexual design. Homosexual activity is not a complementary union, able to transmit life; and so it thwarts the call to a life of that form of self-giving which the Gospel says is the essence of Christian living. This does not mean that homosexual persons are not often generous and giving of themselves; but when they engage in homosexual activity they confirm within themselves a disordered sexual inclination which is essentially self-indulgent. As in every moral disorder, homosexual activity prevents one’s own fulfillment and happiness by acting contrary to the creative wisdom of God. The Church, in rejecting erroneous opinions regarding homosexuality, does not limit but rather defends personal freedom and dignity realistically and authentically understood.”
Opposition to “Gay Pride” Masses is rooted in an authentic charity then which seeks the true good of others. If we truly care for one another, we will not lie to one another but will share that truth which sets us free (John 8:32).
Paul,
We are in complete agreement on this issue.
“If we truly care for one another, we will not lie to one another but will share that truth which sets us free”.. This was the point of my, perhaps graphic, post for which I was slandered.
Because of our fallen nature and concupiscence we all are very close to the fiery pit.
Perhaps graphic? You wrote – in part – “Every man with a penis is just a step away from homosexuality.” I was shown the comment. Do you honestly believe that was appropriate for a Catholic Blog? And do you honestly believe this? Are you struggling with homosexuality yourself?
If so, you might want to give Courage a try.
In any event, your comment was, to say the least, disturbing. I’ll pray for you.
Marie,
Thanks for your kind words..kind of.
What you claim I stated is not actually what I said.
Look at it this way;
If a person drops a coin into a slot machine and pulls the handle: they are a gambler, by definition. It is an activity not an “orientation”. We are all one ‘coin’ away from being gamblers, get it? We all should pray that who ever has been bitten by the vampire called ‘the homosexual lifestyle’ and the activity that comes with it will be released from it. OK?
Regarding appropriateness of comments on Catholic Blogs etc…
Those who publish blogs like our friend in N.H. have a right in this unregulated new media to publish what ever they want, they also have the right to filter and delete comments they don’t like, disagree with or perhaps like my for mentioned one, do not grasp. They also can use blogs as a bully pit or for slander. Your comment confirms the later.
The irony is that we are on the same side of this issue.
I am not gay, and sorry ladies, I am also not available.
Actually your words speak for themselves. Which is why you apologized to Paul for your strange comments. You also falsely accused Paul of promoting the Medjugorje apparition. And he addressed your false accusation at his Blog. Interestingly, this false accusation was made by Mr. Benitz as well. Are you one and the same person?
P.S. I didn’t accuse you of being homosexual. I merely said that your bizarre comment seemed to suggest that you are struggling with homosexuality.
Perhaps you should refrain from attacking Paul, a good and faithful Catholic, constantly and limit your comments to the discussion at hand? If you can agree to this, you will not hear any more from me on these points either.
Marie,
Thanks for the reasonable reply.
Regarding ‘apologizing’ to our N.H. internet blogging acquaintance. I actually was a fan of his blog until he pretty much slandered me and apparently spread his false assumptions about me, my motives and what I am about. I guess my ‘apology’ as you call it was an attempt at an olive branch and clarification, he did not appear interested which is his right. The way I left it with him was that I’d not go to his blog anymore…And then you pop up toot ‘n his horn!
I’m thinking that human sexuality and Catholic theology has been pretty much covered by JPII’s ‘Theology of the Body’. Given that the book is at least 2 inches think, it would stand to reason that a blog is probably not a prudence place to discuss the finer deeper points in any short hand manner (of which I am prone) it is a recipe for miscommunication even some labeled as ‘bizarre’. As this whole dialogue would confirm.
On your other point: you said
“You also falsely accused Paul of promoting the Medjugorje apparition” What I pointed out is that the statement that “The Church has not judged the apparition in Medjugorje” is absolutely and patently false. The local Bishop and Diocese has spoken definitively on the matter consistently since the 1980′s there is nothing supernatural about it, period. If he took my correction on the ‘Medjugorje Hoax’ as “an attack” perhaps he needs to …tighten up the old armor. If our N.H. friend does his homework on it, it would make an excellent post on his blog. I am glad he has been judged as good and faithful, I hope he can live up to this reputation with charity toward all. His comments above regarding queers is a great and positive example of this.
I’m not Mr. Benitz.
The topic of this post concerns the Gay Pride Mass. Comments on that topic are welcome. Comments about other blogs and what they do or do not publish should be directed to those blogs. If we see more comments of that nature, we will have to remove all comments that go there, regardless of the merits of other arguments you made and I will have to either moderate all comments in the future or ban those people who consistently go off the main topic. If you can’t stay on-topic, then please just don’t post anything. To those people who are having the personal back-and-forth, please give it a break. If you’d like to voice your concerns about the comment policy here, you can do so to bryanhehirexposed(at)gmail.com.
Joe,
Point well taken.
Gay pride is a sad shame.
I just read the article in today’s Boston Globe about the cancellation of the GBLT Mass at St. Cecilia’s, and I am feeling very sad for several reasons, but here are just two of them.
First, it is tragic when I see a Roman Catholic Christian cast judgment upon a category of people, in this case, the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender children of G-d. You have to remember that LGBTs are children of God as much as you and I are. Although I am straight, I see Christ’s commandment to love one another as SUPREME. It SUPERCEDES any doctrine of any religious community, be it Christian, Jewish or Muslim.
Second, you are yoked so heavily with doctrine that you have lost all sense of how Christians are supposed to treat fellow human beings. Rules do have a purpose, but they should not exclude a given group of people. Open your eyes, brother! Seek first to understand. Be welcoming, accepting and forgiving.
Remember that God’s love is unconditional. Our love needs to be unconditional, too.
Are you crazy? What the heck are you doing? Do you want the church to start burning witches too? Would you have been on that bandwagon? For goodness sake. This was hurtful and unnecessary. I don’t even think you realized what you did on a heart human level. People were looking forward to this. There has been a lot of hurt done to the GLBT community; a lot of rejection; a lot of hurtful comments using the Catholic church as their weapon, and GLBT people deserve to have a quiet beautiful mass that acknowledges human dignity at church. Just plain and simple and maybe a few rainbows and some beautiful singing. That’s all that mass was about. Being kind to a group of people who have been taught wrongly that God doesn’t love them by people as ignorant and unkind as you.
Sure the church has some written documentation of disapproval. That will change with time. The church also approved of slaves for way too long and we know that was wrong. Judas, you have betrayed your GLBT friends, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, any family member. You don’t understand what it meant to be able to celebrate together and you had no business interfering and agitating a mob against a very peaceful and beautiful celebration.
All you see is “celebration” and “peaceful”. How about fake inauthentic “catholic” bullsh!t?
The Church is very clear on its teachings on morality and depraveness of homosexuality and the sin of pride! I feel sorry that a grown woman like you cannot grasp that.
Belonging to the shepherdship of Saint Peter does not give you the exclusive right to deviate away from its moral teachings. The Church is NOT a democracy, and it shall never be!
Okay, first don’t swear at me when you’re trying to communicate with me. I also learned that in Catholic school. I think I get what the issue is. I feel in total harmony with the church’s teaching. I truly feel that Jesus and the church accepts everybody. I’m not making up any rules. Those are the ones I’ve been taught. All sinners are welcome. I love my church and I am grateful for the tradition and I know that God loves everybody out there, even the ones I strongly disagree with.
Debra,
Sinners are welcome, but Jesus calls sinners to repent and turn away from sin. Simple question: do you accept that homosexual sexual activity is a sin? Yes or no? It seems from all of your comments and your response to Steve that you feel homosexual sexual activity is not a sin and is not morally wrong. Many others new to this blog have commented in a similar way. There are plenty of scriptural references and others in the Catechism of the Church that say it is a sin. Exactly what scriptural or doctrinal basis are you drawing from to determine what is a sin in the eyes of God? Please be specific. If you came to learn it was a sin, would that change your opinion or your behavior? Perhaps you are not turning to the right people or resources in order to form your opinions on this matter and we can help you find better resources that will help you live a holier life.
Joe, I really see your attempt to understand me. I am saying that I understand and respect the Catholic teaching and I think that perhaps it’s in the state of becoming more perfect over time. I’m not one to quote scripture though I think there’s plenty “Stop judging and you will not be judged.” “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” (But I have the feeling you must be enormously hard on yourself.) “Love one another.” But of course the devil can quote scripture for its own purpose so I’m not keen on doing that. For me I feel strongly that God is much bigger and we mere humans only understand so little. I can’t really judge anyone else’s behavior. Yikes. Do I think all mixed gender couples are perfectly pure in all their relations? I don’t know and it’s not up to me to judge. As far as I know, nobody has to pass any purity tests to be allowed at mass. I do know that there are rules in the bible against eating pork, mixing fibers, etc. that we don’t follow. Sometimes I wonder, after watching some of these Greek and Roman shows, if some of these rules had more to do with stopping men in battle from using each other than some deep theology. I just wonder about the context. I’m not a theologian just a regular person. But I do think that God is much bigger than all this and if someone has found someone of the same gender whom they love deeply and they really feel that they love unselfishly – and that they have a glimpse of what God’s love means – and they feel strengthened and bringing more of their gifts and talents into the world, well, I think these people have the right to go to mass and not be held to a higher standard than anybody else. And Lord knows if imperfect priests can be handing out communion, we can find the courage to overcome our fears and welcome everybody. I really think it does us no harm and could strengthen the church if we’re more overtly welcoming of GLBT people. It could reduce the incident of adolescent suicide, reduce bullying and discrimination, it could strengthen families, it could prevent another Matthew Shephard, it could help people feel more confident to develop their own gifts and talents. The church has to trust that accepting GLBT people at mass is not a rejection of its own teachings which ironically include siding with the marginalized, reading the signs of the times, etc. Of course, I still think God is working on us and I have a lot of hope! :)
Actually, from what I read, Boston Pride began last weekend and ends today, so the scheduling of the service seemed purposely designed to avoid conflating the two things by inserting over a week’s separation.
“Josephine,”
The Mass was described in the bulletin listing as “in celebration of Boston’s Pride Month.” There is no question that the service was connected to Gay Pride.
Your attempt at co-opting the blogger’s pseudonym is amusing, but not appreciated.
To All Those Who Have Posted in Support of the Homosexual Community:
We who opposed the ‘gay’ Mass at St. Cecelia’s share your desire for love and compassion for all the children of God. We do not share your support for a deviant lifestyle which opposes the laws of God and the consonant doctrines of the Catholic Church. There is a fundamental difference between compassion for homosexuals as human beings and the acceptance of homosexual activity, and you should know it. It appears you don’t.
In support of this proposed ‘gay’ Mass, you are affirming, not a class of people, but their sexual gratification, which is the basic purpose of a homosexual lifestyle. It’s what ‘gay’ means.
Homosexuals are in the courts of every state in the union, not for the purpose of securing rights owed to all Americans, but to overturn the morals and mores of our society in order that their deviant sexual activity will be accepted as normal by society at large. Homosexuals are in public schools all over the country indoctrinating children into their sexual philosophy with the full support of the state. That’s what you are ultimately supporting when you line up in support of the risibly named “GBLT” community, a designation which proclaims their sexual deviance.
We are faithful Catholics who see our Archdiocese in serious doctrinal and moral decline under the leadership of a very nice Franciscan priest. We hope and pray the Holy Spirit will come to our aid. Please join us.
If, indeed, the proposed Mass has been cancelled as suggested above, we rejoice that the Lord has not abandoned us to the wiles of Satan and his minions.
Thanks, Ferde,
To those who are objecting to this post and to the cancellation of the “Gay Pride” Mass, nobody on this blog is saying that those with homosexual attractions should not be welcomed by the Catholic church. But if you act on those attractions, that is against the word of God and teachings of the Catholic Church.
Before those who object to this post comment further, I urge you to check out the website of Courage Ministry at: http://couragerc.net/
Courage provides support and fellowship for those struggling with same sex attractions.
If the St. Cecilia Mass had as its purpose welcoming and supporting people with homosexual attractions to live a chaste life consistent with the word of God, (as Courage has as its purpose), there would be no objection. If those who support this Mass wish to invite Courage to sponsor such a Mass and gathering, this blog would be delighted to promote such an event.
Also read Cardinal O’Malley’s 2006 pastoral letter on homosexuality found here: http://www.cardinalseansblog.org/2006/11/17/
We will have more to say about this whole matter in a separate blog post within the next several hours.
As the number of clergy still dwindle in this Archdiocese, some due to unjust removals, others by choice – pretty soon this blog will be for nothing more than a virtual Church that will exist only in cyberspace. Church properties continue to be merged and some sold and the Diocese expenses continue to rise as revenues fall – and the numbers continue to dwindle at alarming rates of both those going to church and those serving as priests ( I will add to this) . After close to two decades and lots of bashing from both left. but moreso from the and no support from the ‘Shepherds’ its not hard to figure out why priests leave. What I once thought would be a betrayal, has instead become the only option shown to me in prayer by God after so many years. Christ is the one who said shake the dust from your feet if you aren’t welcomed – the same Christ who didn’t exclude prostitutes lest we forgot (and maybe there were even some gay ones back then) and obviously the ‘let the one who is without sin cast the first stone’ also. To those reading this I say if you think there is a cookie cutter for priests there is not. Ironically, a holy priest who was Rector of the seminary used to point out that a statue niche outside the refectory where we ate had the statue of the perfect seminarian and perfect priest. I say ironic because it was an empty niche, sadly many good priests have been abandoned. The year is 2011 The great Saints are dead and the notion of trying to be a priest like John Vianney or a Francis, or an Ignatius is not reasonalble. Continue to focus on just morality and ignorant of the totality of Church teaching and get ready for your virtual Church. FYI Father Unni is an exceptional priest with great commitment for care of the poor in Haiti as well. And just to remind those reading this who may also have a collar on still serving when you read the words of Christ they have eyes, but they do not see, and ears but do not hear and the leadershio of the Church it the first image that pops into your mind, don’t ignore this.
NO you are wrong. Jesus himself, the founder of the Roman Catholic Church states that he gave Saint Peter, the first Pope the keys of Heaven and the Devil and Hell will NEVER win against it.
read your bible and remember his very words of Promise to Saint Peter. The key word by Jesus Christ was “NEVER prevail”.
Watered-down Catholicism by people like YOU is nothing but LIBERAL PROGRESSIVE POISON.
http://usccb.org/laity/always.shtml
Here’s the US Catholic Conference of Bishops Always Our Children Pastoral Letter.
Debra, I have read Always our Children. The first sentence says it’s directed specifically to parents trying to cope with the discovery of homosexuality in their adolescent or adult child. This issue is about adult homosexual activity, isn’t it? The letter also says, “Having a homosexual orientation does not necessarily mean a person will engage in homosexual activity.” Debra, I’m confused. Are you agreeing that you want the message to be people with a gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgendered disposition or orientation should NOT engage in homosexual activity?
to me, the central message of this letter is that sexual orientation is a gift from God. Plain and simple. It’s not up to me to judge what people do with that gift and I know that people have to follow their conscience ultimately in living out their gift. I know that there are very strong feelings in judgment of GLBT people here. But really this is all about the gift to love and not so much about all this deviant behavior getting mentioned. I know there are fears that get projected onto the GLBT community and that there’s a perception of some “agenda” that’s being foisted on others. That’s really fear and misunderstanding. I think oftentimes people’s fears and insecurities about sex get dumped on the GLBT community. Oftentimes it’s the people struggling most with their own sexual orientation that throw the most arrows. So it’s a delicate situation right now. There is no secret GLBT group plotting to change moral values. Just a bunch of people trying to authentically love God and neighbor. And then how do we live in community with love and respect when we disagree? Is it really our business to comment on anyone else’s romantic life? I certainly don’t have any wish to snoop in yours. Jesus was a very accepting and loving man and I just wonder in this situation, “What would love do? What would bring the most love out in this situation?” I wonder how dealing with this situation could strengthen a community and bring more compassion and understanding forward? Could it heal some misperceptions? What does it mean to respect the animation of the Holy Spirit in another? What would love do? What does it mean to honor our deepest traditions and allow ourselves to grow? What would love do?
Debra,
I’m still confused by your statements. You said you “know that people have to follow their conscience ultimately in living out their gift.” So are saying that people who have same-sex attractions SHOULD engage in gay sex, and you want the Catholic Church to also endorse and celebrate that? Should the Catholic Church endorse pornography too?
I am saying that it’s not up to me to tell anyone including the church what they should be doing. We have an imperfect church that is constantly growing and evolving and trying to become more loving and a more perfect spouse to her people. This church has changed over the millenia, her teachings have evolved over time, and the church has taught us that when the rubber meets the road you have to consult your own conscience. It’s between you and God ultimately. So if you lived in Rouen France when Joan of Arc was about to be burned at the stake by the church and you knew in your heart that it was wrong and it was your role to light the fire, well, you have this opportunity to follow your own conscience. In my humble opinion, I don’t think it’s wise to be too sure of ourselves, when we’re excluding a group of people and acting in a way that may not be Christ-like, and is micromanaging more than God does. I really think we have to trust God and calm it down a bit.
Oh Debra! My God, most of the people on this blog will verbally CRUCIFY you for speaking in such a Christ-like, pastoral way. I applaud your words. The majority of comments on this blog reflect angry, hateful people who use the Catholic church as one, presumably of many, vehicles with which they attempt to shroud themselves in credibility all the while hating in the name of Christ. Is anyone calling the Cardinal’s office to complain that we aren’t feeding the poor or clothing the naked, forgiving our enemies or any of the other things Jesus actually spoke of? A friend sent me a link about this topic and I am so glad she did. There are times when I miss the Catholic church. I left it 10 years ago. Debra, you are what I miss. Most of the rest ratify that I’ve moved on. The greatest contribution the Catholic church made in the US was that through Catholic education it moved generations of immigrant Catholics out of poverty and gave them a chance to make something of themselves in this country. Along with Catholic health care, you saw thousands of nuns, priests, brothers working like dogs for generations to give Catholics an education and health care. The one draw back of Catholic education? It teaches people how to think. Once that happens, the genie is out of the bottle. Sensible Catholic people know how to pray and reflect and seek wisdom and good counsel on the moral decisions that face them. They also understand the primacy of conscience which is so much a hallmark of being a Catholic. These CRAZY, HATEFUL people speaking in this blog and beyond are a species near extinction. A horse’s greatest kick is it’s last.
Robert,
Righteous judgment and moral judgment is needed to be excercised in order to maintain ORTHODOXY and genuine Catholic morals. YOU and the rest of Kumbaya group can go to Episcopalians if you feel that the Catholic dogma is not suitable for your sinful ways.
The Church is very clear on its dogmas and teachings. This mass is unnecessary and puts a blatant disregard for what the Successor of Saint Peter teaches. ROME has spoken and you, a simple mortal have no say on it. Pray for your soul and ask God if rebelling against his Vicar on Earth is what you are really willing to risk for Eternal hell.
Robert, thanks for your kind words. I had no idea this was such a hornet’s nest or maybe a bad episode of True Blood. Yikes!!!! What a feeding frenzy. I am really so grateful for my Catholic education and this strong sense of being loved as a unique creation of God. Of course, I’m not really feeling the love here. I kind of feel bad for the people on the blog. It can’t feel good to run around with this much judgement. Of course, I was so upset that I came off strong to begin with, but well, this is the dilemma of communicating on these things. Fingers typing can fly pretty fast and who knows how many people regret what they’ve said on the blog. I felt supported in a kind way by your posting and I really thank you for adding your perspective. I also am so impressed with how the Catholic Church has done for the poor, healthcare, education. I hope you find a mass and a Catholic community that really reminds you of God’s love for you.:)
Robert, thanks for your kind words. I had no idea this was such a hornet’s nest or maybe a bad episode of True Blood. Yikes!!!! What a feeding frenzy. I am really so grateful for my Catholic education and this strong sense of being loved as a unique creation of God. Of course, I’m not really feeling the love here. I kind of feel bad for the people on the blog. It can’t feel good to run around with this much judgement. Of course, I was so upset that I came off strong to begin with, but well, this is the dilemma of communicating on these things. Fingers typing can fly pretty fast and who knows how many people regret what they’ve said on the blog. I felt supported in a kind way by your posting and I really thank you for adding your perspective. I also am so impressed with how the Catholic Church has done for the poor, healthcare, education. I hope you find a mass and a Catholic community that really reminds you of God’s love for you.:)
Sorry everyone this was me – I tried to repost with my name and now I can’t delete this one. Ooops!
NO you are wrong. Jesus himself, the founder of the Roman Catholic Church states that he gave Saint Peter, the first Pope the keys of Heaven and the Devil and Hell will NEVER win against it.
read your bible and remember his very words of Promise to Saint Peter. The key word by Jesus Christ was “NEVER prevail.
Watered-down Catholicism by people like YOU is nothing but LIBERAL PROGRESSIVE POISON.
This is pathetically sad. It’s why millions of people like me who grew up Catholic have left the church. You and all the other more Catholic than thou people have pretty much made it clear that those of us who are gay are somehow unworthy of love and respect. And despite some of you mouthing fake love the sinner platitudes your contempt and arrogance certainly shows loud and clear. The authoritarian, indeed totalitarian god that you worship is inauthentic and merely a reflection of the church’s growing hate and bigotry now led by Ratzinger. Frankly, allow me to thank you for your hatred and bigotry – it has helped me to understand that I needed to make my own way in life without you and your despicable church. I truly feel sorry for all of you to be yoked to such an evil community. And I sorry for the damage that you do to millions of young people every day and that actively you seek to spread that damage to the 3rd world, the only growing market for your hatred.
Your problem, CaphillDC, is you want the Catholic Church to cease being the Catholic and you want faithful Catholics to become protestants.
The Catholic Church, and the Hebrew faith before and since the birth of Christ, has ALWAYS considered the practice of homsexuality an abomination, a grave offense against God and His intentions for the human family.
FLASH!! The Catholic Church will never sign on to the homosexual agenda, the radical feminist agenda or the agenda of a decadent secular culture. We understand people like you don’t like it and we know why. For those reasons I think you made the right decision in leaving the Catholic Church. God bless you.
When loving the sinner (and not just by shouting your Truth at them in “loving” admonition) gets more energy than hating the sin, then that phrase might be credible. But, as things stand, it’s just a Potemkin village for vice masquerading as virtue.
the catholic church may not deny Christ’s but it withholds much from it’s “children” that do not comply with doctrine. Just like a punishing parent.
Some of the comments here exhibit incredible ignorance and intolerance. If gravely wrong actions are so decisive in pushing a Catholic out of communion maybe we need to examine more closely what goes on behind closed doors in Catholic households. We ought to have full investigations of these behaviors, cameras in every bedroom and bathroom. We cannot tolerate aberrant sexual behavior let it pollute the purity of virtue in our truly Catholic households. We must excommunicate anyone who may piously kneel at the pew on Sundays but who secretly practice unholy and disordered behaviors such as:
1. Married couples who engage in anything but vaginal intercourse;
2. Married couples who masturbate each other;
3. Married couples who enage in anal intercourse;
4. Married men who orally stimulate their wives;
5. Married women who orally stimulate their husbands;
6. Married men who masturbate;
7. Married women who masturbate;
8. Married people who fool around sexually with their pets;
9. Priests who masturbate (how else do you think most priests tolerate celibacy?)
10. Catholic men and women who enage in incest (another unseen, but rampant problem);
11. Bishops who masturbate;
12. Married people who look at pornography to masturbate;
13. Married people who use pornography to maintain sexual interest in marriage;
14. Married people who use sex toys such as dildoes, vibrators, etc.
15. Married people who enage in same-sex activity outside of marriage;
16. Married people who engage in opposite sex activity outside of marraige;
17. Married people who are “swingers” with other married people.
Ah, the secrets validly married Catholic people are keeping!!
Shall I go on? Do you find this list disgusting to read? Maybe it’s because you too are trying to reconcile your sexuality with the ideals set forth by the church. Many, many mainstream Catholics would find familiar turns of phrase in this list. I’m sure we can add many more behaviors to this list that ought to exclude lots and lots of other Catholics from attending Mass and going to communion. Let’s just forget distributing communion to anyone, for we are all full of one sin or another.
Pride in being gay is simply a countermovement to the shame and degrading behavior shown to many GLBT people throughout their lives. Pride has nothing to do with approval or disapproval of sexual practices and behaviors. It has to do with acceptance of self as broken beings loved by God and on the way to sainthood, like the rest of us struggling along in this vale of tears.
Let’s tone done the rhetoric and judgment. Unless we are prepared to testify as eyewitnesses to the private behavior of ALL Catholics, lay and clergy, we need to check and see if we are the ones casting the first stone (thank you, Jesus, for your example).
on June 12, 2011 at 6:26 am | Reply Hmmmm?
Oh, And I forgot:
What an incredibly ignorant, incredibly specious argument you make Mr. and/or Mizzz. Hmmmmmquestionmark. You’re not Catholic, are you? If you were, you’d know ultimately the reception of Holy Communion is between God and the Communicant. That is precisely because the Church does not put a camera in every Catholic couple’s bedroom. Catholics are expected to know the conditions under which they are properly disposed to receive the Sacrament and to make their decisions accordingly.
If you’re not Catholic, consider getting some facts before posting remarks about the Church. If you are, you should be embarrassed at posting such nonsense in the middle of a serious conversation.
I was being sarcastic….I guess it didn’t come through loud and clear. You say, “… the reception of Holy Communion is between God and the Communicant….Catholics are expected to know the conditions under which they are properly disposed to receive the Sacrament and to make their decisions accordingly. ” Catholic gay people are merely asking that they be allowed to be held to the same standard.
How are homosexuals not held to the same standard?
As a proud member of the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus I invite all those who believe in treating people with dignity and equality to our ‘All You Need is Love’ concert at 7pm this evening, in John Hancock Hall.
Send a message that you support love in the face of tolerance, and come along!
In this comments thread, I have asked “Last Catholic in Boston” to refrain from constantly attacking Paul Melanson, a good and faithful Catholic. I did some checking and it seems LCIB has been warned by Francis Marion and others to “keep the personal assaults and bomb-throwing out of the comments.” See here:
http://bryanhehirexposed.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/wolves-and-bryan-hehirs-first-boston-social-justice-conference/
This is an excellent Blog. I think so. Paul Melanson thinks so. He has done much to promote this Blog on Facebook.
Is this his reward? Snide remarks and false accusations? Why can’t we work together?
[...] Boston Archdiocese Allows Gay Pride Mass [...]
[...] there was the Mass planned to celebrate Boston Gay Pride described in this way: “The Rainbow Ministry of Saint Cecilia Parish invites all friends and [...]
[...] the Archdiocese was allowing Mass for the purpose of celebrating and commemorating Gay Pride at St. Cecilia’s in B…. Then they said it had to be cancelled, but there would be a Mass in the future to welcome the [...]
Here we see from Patrick a perfect example of the kindness, love and above all, the tolerance we have come to expect from the average homosexual. Good job, Patrick!