By a vote of 11-2, the D.C. City Council voted today to finally put an end this marriage battle business, and approved same-sex marriage in the nation’s capital. While we expected to see Councilman Marion Barry’s name among the dissenters, Yvette Alexander also voted against the bill. For reasons our pay grade doesn’t allow us to understand (okay, the bill requires a “full” Council vote on Dec. 15), another vote is needed in two weeks, and then the bill goes to Mayor Adrian Fenty’s desk, where he’s promised to sign it. And now it’s time to call the bluff of Archbishop Donald Wuerl (pictured): Are you really going to invoke Jesus’ name and revoke the Catholic Church’s social services programs?
fubar
As a Christian myself, it pains me to say this. But I don’t think it was a bluff. Political clout is more important than actually helping those in need. They will cut off services…just to make a point.
It so saddens my heart. I know I will get a lot of grief on this site for being gay and a Christian. But i find comfort in the scripture (not the scripture interpreted by bigots). Jesus was a friend to the outcasts. He loves all of us. period.
The fact that man can corrupt something so personal as spirituality is sickening to me. I see this as no different as when fred phelps pickets soldier’s funerals. Hate is illogical. And all they want is attention.
I really think i’m going to be bummed out when I actually hear what he says. Sad
Mike in Brooklyn
Hey Fubar (No. 1), there is always a silver lining to all dark clouds. Okay, assume that the Catholic Church ends its participation for community services. Well what happens then?
The City/District will then the exact same amount of funds available for community assistance. The City/District will locate other organizations, ones that do not foster discrimination against the City’s GLBT citizens, and continue offering the services once provided through the Catholic Church.
The new organizations, the ones that do not discriminate against GLBT citizens, will have a much higher profile than before as they provide bigot free assistance. Their flock will grow.
The Catholic Church, through Catholic Charities, will continue as a private organization, must remain private to continue its discriminatory policies, and provide the much limited services as it can for private uses. With much less resources and tied to their discriminatory practices, the Catholic Church flock will diminish.
The bright news is that the 5-10% of Washington’s citizens will no longer be discriminated against for whom they love; the big bad Catholic Church will loose standing; new non-bigoted service organizations will receive funding to provide non-bigoted community assistance and support.
I certainly hope that the Catholic Church bides its threats and cuts off its community assistance. I find it repugnant that tax dollars are provided to the Catholic Church who in turn wrap their bigoted biased homophobic messages as they handout services. No money = no message. I am delighted in that. And, there is a Metropolitan Community Church, along with all sorts of other churches who do not discriminate, that will be sending messages of equality as they support their community assistance programs.
terrwill
FUBAR: Sorry gots to disagree. Every diocese is reeling financially because of the boy diddling drama. You are going to see this hateful bastard make a statement something like they “can’t abandon those needing help” He just got bitch slapped rightfully so
ksu499
You have to remember that the Catholic Church is not about the love of God. It’s about power and control. That is the only message that has ever come from Rome. There may be individuals who buck this tide but few of them are currently in the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops.
tavdy79
Here’s how I think it’ll work: Archbishop Wuerl cuts off funding for social work programs, diverts the cash to pay off victims of Catholic paedophile priests, and gets to blame the gays.
Ex-Catholic
The Catholic Church is the last bastion of the closeted and they don’t want to do anything to cause their closeted self-loathing priests anymore discomfort than they all ready have to deal with. Only when they stop requiring celibacy and learn that acknowledging your sexuality does not cause the end of the world will this kind of nonsense stop. I think Archbishop Wuerl should be ashamed of himself.
Ryan Kiefer
How is it that a law such as this can pass in the nation’s capital, governed indirectly by Congress, and not pass in the federal system?
(I’m aware of how the DC government works. This is a rhetorical question, not a literal one.)
Kurt
The recent statements of the Archdiocese are carefully worded. They are not saying gay marriage will force them to give up DC government contracts. They now are saying “it could force us to choose…” and “it puts at risk…”.
There are a good half dozen different ways that both sides can win and in the end, one of them will be put into place.
JAW
I think people are missing a key point… the catholic church will not just pull out of taking care of the poor etc… The government of the District of Columbia will no longer give them funding unless the church offers benefits to same sex couples employed by the charity that DC would be funding
I am thrilled that DC will allow same sex couples to marry, BUT I think that religious groups should not be forced to go against their own beliefs. I hope that there are gay groups ready to do the works that the churches may be forced to abandon. Does anyone know how many groups are waiting to take on the work that the Catholic Church, as well as other groups and churches, will be forced to pull out of?
Cam
No. 9 · JAW said…
I think people are missing a key point… the catholic church will not just pull out of taking care of the poor etc… The government of the District of Columbia will no longer give them funding unless the church offers benefits to same sex couples employed by the charity that DC would be funding
I am thrilled that DC will allow same sex couples to marry, BUT I think that religious groups should not be forced to go against their own beliefs.
________________________________
Nobody is forcing religeous groups to go against their beliefs in their services, membership or in the futhering of their religeon. However, the church owns and oporates businesses and THESE are not allowed to discriminate. This has always been the case. Marriott hotels in the 1970’s and early 80’s could not discriminate against blacks, even though they were owned by the Mormon church, which at that time DID discriminate against blacks. It is the same with the organizations oporated outside the Catholic church but owned and oporated by the church.
JAW
CAM… first off… Marriott has been a publicly traded Corp since 1971… It was founded by J. W. Marriott… it is not owned, nor was it owned, by the Mormons… even you can own a part of it. The Marriott family is Mormon not the Corp.
DC is going to cause a major issue throughout the country. The fears of most Americans, that the gays are taking over, will be spread by those that hate us. If we force religious groups to go agnist their beliefs, we risk losing supporters in key states like NJ and NY.
The Catholics and Mormons are not the only groups against us… even groups like the Episcopal Church is having major issues within the church… as are Jews, Lutherans and other mail line churches.
We need to get support… not lose support
Ex-Catholic
This is the kind of stuff the Catholic Church should threaten to stop:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CHURCH_ABUSE_CONNECTICUT_DOCUMENTS_CTOL-?SITE=CTNLD&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
When I no longer see stories like that one, I may be inclined to listen to pronoucements on who should be able to marry or raise children.
edgyguy1426
I don’t think the Catholics are in as dire circumstances as they constantly like to plead. If they can cough up half a mil just to fight gay marriage in one state, then I think they still have resources to tap. The fact that they can raise this much cash this fast leads me to believe that crying poor might prohibit some from abuse charges.. it’s all an act. This church is a disgrace.. well most are, they’ve just had more time to get really good at it