A Catholic priest from the bedroom community of Suffield, Connecticut, has received an official reprimand for participating in a relative’s same-sex wedding in New York City.
Father Michael Devito wasn’t officiating at the nuptials of his cousin Richard Termine and longtime beau Roger Danforth, but he did wear his clerical collar at the ceremony, held aboard a chartered yacht along New York’s East River, and provided a reading.
After Archbishop Henry J. Mansell read about Devito’s involvement via a New York Times wedding announcement, retribution was swift. In a prepared statement, the archdiocese said:
“Archbishop Mansell informed Father DeVito that his participation in this ceremony was understandably perceived by many Catholics as an implicit endorsement of same-sex marriage, which is contrary to Church teaching. As a consequence, and in accordance with canon law, the Archbishop formally rebuked Father DeVito and informed him that the rebuke would be a permanent part of his record. Fr. DeVito said that he would not participate in any way in same-sex marriages in the future.”
What do you think? Is this canonical overreach, a valid chastisement for someone sworn to uphold Catholic teachings, or proof that the Church needs to find another hobby besides scanning the Times Vows section?
How about we take this to the next level?
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Stephen
Fuck religion. And, fuck the Catholic Church.
Dakotahgeo
As many Catholic hierarchy have stated, the Catholic church is 200 years behind all Christianity. What Mansell needs is a lit dynamite stick stuck where it will feel the best for him!
sanfranca1
@Stephen: Thank you!
tidalpool
Both men did what they felt they had to do. One supported his secular family, the other supported the dictates of the church and his vows. I felt sorrow for both, however, if a man gives his word, he must keep that vow, or publically refute the vow. Your word must have meaning. I find vulgarity and references to violence non productive in any situation. Problems need solving, not cursing the heavens.
Boytoy
Religion is institutionalized nonsense and insanity.
gaym50ish
Michael Gerson, former speechwriter for George W. Bush and former senior editor of U.S. News and World Report, wrote in 2010 that the Roman Catholic Church is “now one of the leading global advocates for universal human rights and dignity.”
That’s a laugh! Is he talking about the same church that won’t let women lead, that condemns birth control, that expects dysfunctional couples to remain married for life, that thinks gays are “intrinsically evil,” that requires its leaders to be celibate, that shields abusive priests and makes 13-year-olds confess that they masturbate? Is that the church he was talking about?
tdx3fan
@gaym50ish: You forgot…that is solely responsible for the vast majority of new AIDS cases in Northern Africa.
Marjorie 0120
I’m with tidalpool on this one, it was a difficult position for the priest, family or church? I suspect he wishes he had left his collar at home for this event. His superior had no choice either. Making a committment or promise is something that should not be done lightly and once done should be adhered to unless a situation dictates there is no other wise choice that makes sense..
niles
Don’t care. I have zero respect for anyone who still wears the collar of this ridiculous (but still dangerous) organization.
avesraggiana
Another reason why the laity should treat with contempt and utter disregard, anything that this organisation has to say, an organisation run by crusty, mouldy, sexually frustrated, sex-obsessed, grotty old men, who have no business counselling anybody about anything. The Archbishop should have stayed out of it.
Guillermo3
The Church hierarchy made a wise decision:The less time priests
spend marrying people,the more time they’ll have for fucking boys.