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Bishop of Brisbane John Bathersby gave gay-inclusive church St Mary’s in South Brisbane until December to fall in line behind the Vatican, which doesn't coddle queers, or face some stiff penalties. But St. Mary's priest, Peter Kennedy, doesn't seem to be budging… |
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Robinson said he led a confidential retreat a few years ago for gay Roman Catholic priests. Robinson wouldn't disclose details of this mens' weekend, but did reveal that he urged them to fight for women's rights within the priesthood: "I believe that if you work for the ordination of women in your church, you will go a long way toward opening the door for the acceptance of gay priests." |
» Practice, Not Percect…
"[A survey has found that] non-practicing Catholics — defined as those who attend church less than twice a month — were more likely to support abortion rights and same-sex marriage than the American population at large… Seventy-five percent of practicing Catholics oppose same-sex marriage, compared to 54% of non-practicing Catholics. Sixty-five percent of non-practicing Catholics identified themselves as "pro-choice" on abortion, compared to 36% of practicing Catholics." [USA Today] |
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» Camp Classic.
Peter Mullen, the Catholic preacher with ungodly views on gays - ie: we should all be tattooed - wrote yet another explanation on his comments. And he still makes no sense: "To wit: I was not criticising individual homosexuals. I have never criticized them… What I do oppose – on the authority of the Christian faith – is the corrupting influence of the promotional parades of homosexuality by such as Gay Pride demonstrations… One might say that what was once a mortal sin is now only a lifestyle choice. And the love that once dare not speak its name now shrieks at us in high camp down every high street." [Towleroad] |
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The first openly gay Republican to run for New York state Senate, Chromczak knows his odds are slim, especially considering he's running for the 25th district, which includes lower Manhattan and part of Brooklyn. Though he's faced resistance from a variety of voters, he's particularly perturbed by some gay voters, many of whom Chromczak says have become politically close-minded. Discussing his participation the recent Wedding March here in New York City, Chromczak laments: When I've gone to some of these things, I get shot down as soon as somebody hears that I'm a Republican. To me, it's very discriminatory and goes against a lot of what people say. Before you yourselves balk, keep in mind that four New York state Republicans this year made serious headway with a queer inclusive anti-bullying bill. Our editor recently sat down with Chromczak to discuss a variety of issues, like how the politico balances practicing Catholicism with his sexuality. Also, Chromczak tells voters how he intends on fixing the state's economy, tells us why Senator Chuck Schumer's a thorn in his side, informs us that we shouldn't care about John McCain's cancer, takes on the city's left-wing gay paper and offers his thoughts on why he - a medical technician with little political experience aside from union membership - should be sent to Albany. All that and more, after the jump. |
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In directing the faithful to vote yes on proposition 8, the California Bishops are not only entering the political arena, they are ignoring the advances and insights of neurology, psychology and the very statements by the church itself that homosexual is innate. Farrow's bishop did not release an official statement, but insisted his own opposition is not about homosexuality, but about the "institution" of marriage. We're sure he'll have more to say in the days to come. |
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The organization, which celebrates homosexuality and urges other Catholic group to do the same, had invited Soto to speak to congregants and spread the good word. Soto agreed, a move that surprised many of his faithful flock. "How could such a pious man endorse those sinful queers?" Answer: he doesn't. Rather than praising the Association's commitment to maintaining their Catholic ways, Soto used his pulpit to admonish attendees and decried their "deviation:" "Sexual relations between people of the same sex can be alluring for homosexuals, but it deviates from the true meaning of the act and distracts them from the true nature of love to which God has called us all. For this reason, it is sinful." |
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» Littering…
"The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property (TFP) has just launched a pro-traditional marriage campaign in California. Starting on September 1, TFP volunteers will tour major cities and college campuses rallying support for traditional marriage. The Catholic group’s handout offers “Ten reasons why homosexual ‘marriage’ is harmful and must be opposed,” and calls on Californians to firmly and peacefully oppose the advance of the homosexual movement." [Catholic PRWire] |
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The famous actor spoke out this weekend against Scottish Bishop Joseph Devine, who this year blasted Queen Elizabeth for adding McKellen to the Order of Companions of Honour last year. In his attack, Devine described gay activists, including McKellen, as "a giant conspiracy' which 'we [the catholic church] neglect at our peril." Getting a bit of oratory revenge, McKellen took the following shot at not-so-divine Devine: From the pulpit, homophobia is preached by some arrogant religious leaders who think their beliefs are superior to our inborn and, some would say, God-given nature. Out actor Simon Callow also lambasted Devine, calling him "a profoundly ignorant and stupid man." |
» Agenda…
Pope Benedict XVI told reporters that he will work for "healing and reconciliation with the victims" of sexual abuse during his trip to Australia this week. While many victims appreciate his conciliatory remarks, they're still clamoring for more. Said one activist, "He made some general remarks about regret to reporters and that's not good enough. We want action, not words." The Pope previously addressed the abuse during his trip to the States, but stopped short of an official apology. [POQ] |
» Blow back.
"Cuba's Roman Catholic Church on Tuesday protested the communist government's growing support of gay rights… 'Respect for the homosexual person, yes,' said an editorial in Palabra Nueva, the monthly magazine of the Archdiocese of Havana. 'Promotion of homosexuality, no.'" The condemnation comes as first daughter Mariela Castro pushes for civil unions and the government has worked toward ending homophobia. [AP] |
» Repetitive.
"Ireland’s Catholic bishops have restated their opposition to gay marriage today, claiming that 'sexual differentiation is intrinsic to our understanding of the sacrament of marriage'. In a statement, the bishops said they had addressed the issue of the Christian theology of marriage at a meeting last week. 'In view of the current debate in our society about the nature of marriage, sometimes promoted by individuals or institutions who claim support from Christian ideals, the bishops reiterated that marriage presupposes the mutuality and complementarity of the sexes,' the statement said." [Irish Times] |
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Catholic-aligned non-profit the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property placed an ad in national newspapers today to announce they're warriors in the "battle for America's soul." Said TFP director Preston Noell: Mainstream America is understandably upset about same-sex 'marriage.' It is a grave offense against God and undermines 2,000 years of Christian morality. Same-sex 'marriage' threatens the social stability of our nation and future. That's a joke, right? |
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The Catholic leader performed his final mass at New York's Yankee stadium Sunday, during which he briefly addressed the sex abuse scandal, a running theme in his Stateside visit. In a glancing reference to the sexual abuse of children by priests, he said that praying for the kingdom of God “means not losing heart in the face of adversity, resistance and scandal. It means overcoming every separation between faith and life, and countering false gospels of freedom and happiness.” Benedict and his colleagues obviously want to put the scandal behind them, but such an ending most likely won't come to pass. |
» Believers.
Pope Benedict XVI reportedly waved in the general direction of gay Catholics. Said Catholics seem to think this means something: "I thought it was a good chance for us to be seen and he obviously saw us and waved at us, so I think we got our message across." And we're sure it's going to make a hell of a difference. [Wash Blade] |