Posted on 04/19/2005 8:05:08 PM PDT by DBeers
Homosexual Advocacy Group Criticizes New Pope
(CNSNews.com) - Not everyone had words of praise for the selection of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the new pope.
A homosexual advocacy group expressed "concern" that Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, "does not present a hopeful vision of the future or inspire optimism for affirming language, policies or outreach."
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) noted that Ratzinger "authored a Vatican document condemning marriage and adoption by gay men and lesbians in July 2003."
The Washington Blade described the document as a "battle plan for Catholic politicians." According to PLFAG, the document calls on the Catholic Church to "reject gay and lesbian families on the basis of 'basic values.'"
"Religious leaders like Ratzinger cannot dictate to us what our family values must be, particularly when their idea of family values excludes all GLBT people and loved ones," said PFLAG's Executive Director Jody Huckaby, a homosexual former Catholic, in a statement.
"Our PFLAG families have values of love, respect and compassion -- perhaps the most distinguishing thing about those values is that they don't exclude anyone," said Huckaby, who urged "GLBT people and their families to confront bigotry" in the Catholic Church "and other faith traditions."
"We cannot shy away from explaining how discrimination in organized religions can tear families apart. The fight for GLBT equality must include our willingness to challenge our religious leaders," Huckaby added.
PFLAG said the Catholic Church should be celebrated for its advocacy for the "marginalized and maligned people of the world -- the poor, the politically oppressed and those in war-torn countries."
"Ironically, however, the Church refuses to recognize the injustices it inflicts on its own families each time leaders like Cardinal Ratzinger vilify GLBT people. We hope that, as PFLAG families reach out to leaders of their faith, members of the clergy will realize the need for responsible religious rhetoric and the strength that comes from embracing all families," the group concluded.
ping.
In other news, the sun is expected to rise in the EAST tomorrow.
That tells me the Cardinals picked the right man to be Pope!
Libs are worried... means Pope Benedict is the right man for the job!
yabba dabba du!!!
The church should be celebrated for its advocacy for all these people, but the church should not begin advocating in favor of sin in order to be celebrated.
Looks like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson will be given a run for their money by Benedict XVI for the title of "Christian Most Hated by the Sodomites"
Schadenfreude bump.
Pope Benedict - As a Southern Baptist I concur with your stand on homosexuality. Preach on, Brother.
"Religious leaders like Ratzinger cannot dictate to us what our family values must be, particularly when their idea of family values excludes all GLBT people and loved ones,"
Uh, he sure can if you want to be a Catholic. If you don't want to play by the rules don't join the club.
I know I am not the only one here who is not surprised by this. It's one of those, "gosh, really?" stories.
That, plus it tells me of the vanguard of the hoard massing for what may be the last stand of Christianity. God bless and protect Pope Benedict XVI!
From another thread, "gidget7" (I think) said: "Anytime a liberal (or perv - my edit) squeals in outrage, an angel gets its wings!" I nominate this for the best line of the night.
Yes, Jody, you're a "former Catholic" - apparently you never attended Mass on the 15th week after Pentecost ever.
Because if you had, you would have heard these words of Christ:
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
You don't fool me, Jody.
It's not just the Pope you hate - it's Jesus whom you really despise.
The Catholic church has voluntary membership, and unlike a government, one can't bitch about it because he or she lives by its decisions. Those who demand the church change can't seem to get it through their heads that every entity on the planet doesn't have to go by YOUR rules, and YOUR lifestyle. THIS agnostic has to laugh at these boobs (poor choice of word) who claim every private group with NO impact on their life is somehow a danger to them.
Didn't PFLAG get the memo?
They can PFLUK themselves for all we care.
Conservative Pope ping!
One of the ways you can tell who is on your side is by WHO and WHAT groups bring fire to bear upon an individual. When the firefight rages, you figure out who your friends are pretty quick.
The anti-family, gay and liberal groups are going bonkers, so that means to me that this guy stands for something Right. I'm not a Catholic, but this Pope looks like he's on the Right side to me.
Had to turn on the Commie News Network CNN)and More Stupid Nonsensical Bull Crap (MSNBC) to see how the Cardinals blew this one.
Evidently, there is not a chance in hell that this Pope will bring their vision of "reform" to the Catholic Church.
It's doubtful that we'll ever see transvestite priests and nuns in see-through habits, the way things are going.
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