Posted on 01/12/2005 6:59:11 PM PST by AAABEST
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH is mired in an identity crisis. Pope John Paul II, sounding more and more like an out-of-touch curmudgeon clinging to by-gone days of 1950s-style morality, again this week intoned against tampering with the “irreplaceable” institution of marriage.
Meanwhile, as Catholic bishops met last week in Washington, D.C., there were signs that not all bishops are towing the Vatican line against gay relationships. As gay protesters descended upon the Conference of Catholic Bishops, at least two bishops greeted demonstrators. Word of the pope’s staunch opposition to gay rights initiatives, and same-sex marriage in particular, is clearly not trickling down to all of the church’s local pastors.
Just three months ago, my sister was married in a Catholic church in Baltimore. Fearing Old Testament-style tirades against gays and warnings to my sister that she obey her husband, I visited the church for a Sunday morning Mass prior to wedding day. My fears about the church couldn’t have been more offbase.
Upon arriving at the church, I was greeted enthusiastically by a rather effeminate priest. Granted, it’s a stereotype, but I’ve run into enough closeted priests at Central Station and the Hippo to know that all these guys aren’t exactly adhering to their celibacy vows.
I read a copy of the church bulletin while waiting for mass to begin and was surprised to see an ad publicizing a meeting of the church’s gay and lesbian ministry.
It was then that I started noticing all the gay and lesbian faces in the half-empty pews. This beautiful, historic church with 100-year-old stained glass windows, mosaic tile floors, marble-covered walls and sturdy mahogany pews offers just one Mass each Sunday. And the church was half empty.
“White flight” has depleted this church of its congregants and it seems the only worshippers left are a few hardy old-timers along with pioneering gay men and lesbians who are buying up and restoring properties in the old neighborhood.
To their credit, officials at this church, which I won’t name so as to spare its priests certain ex-communication, are openly welcoming gay worshipers. During my visit just before Fat Tuesday this year, the priest and deacon even wore Mardi Gras beads during the service. The priest urged everyone to “party hearty, because after Tuesday, it’s all over!”
Was this a Catholic Mass or a circuit party?
A FEW WEEKS later, my sister received a letter from the parish explaining that the church welcomes everyone, including gays. The letter added that the local parish does not agree with the Vatican’s denouncement of gay relationships and gay rights initiatives. Mixed messages indeed.
As the wedding approached, I met the priest who would marry my sister. He had been alerted that the bride’s brother is gay, has a partner, and would be serving as a groomsman.
After being introduced to me at the rehearsal, the burly priest with a booming voice wrapped me up in a warm embrace, assuring me that this is the most gay-friendly church in Baltimore.
Since the Catholic Church is not a democracy, it is unclear how this struggling little inner-city church can get away with its gay outreach, other than by flying below the radar. Surely, no bishop or other official in the church hierarchy saw that letter or knew of this church’s status as “gay friendly.”
THE PROBLEMS OF repression in the church go beyond the failure of church leaders to cope responsibly with the sex abuse scandal. That same culture of fear, silence and denial that enabled pedophile priests to shift from parish to parish is restricting the ability of local priests to deal honestly and fairly with the question of how to welcome gay worshipers.
Individual priests know who their gay parishioners are — they are active in their churches, donate time and money and, in some instances, even operate outreach programs to other gays in the community.
But the Vatican, and this narrow-minded, misguided pope in particular, are preventing the full acceptance and open, honest participation in the life of the church by gay Catholics. If only more Catholic officials would acknowledge publicly what they privately know to be true: that gay and lesbian parishioners are already playing vital roles in their churches and deserve to be recognized instead of demonized.
The church has seen what happens when its leaders keep quiet and choose secrecy over honesty. If they have learned anything from the sex abuse scandal, it should be the need for more openness and honesty in church life.
It’s time for all those pro-gay priests who whisper words of quiet support for their gay parishioners to stand up for the full, proper inclusion of gays in church life. With Christmas here, there could be no better gift for gay Catholics.
Every so often, I get in a situation where I just don't know what to say.
Given your warning, I didn't read it. The New York Blade? Is this some homosexual newspaper?
Probably not the first time they've made their acquaintance.
I know what to say, but I'm not going to say it here. But it does reinforce my decision years ago to follow the religion but hate the church (or at least much of it).
*hurl* ping!
Homosexual Agenda Ping. Very offensive article.
There is nothing worse than the darkness of evil garbed as religion. Or those who embrace offensiveness to God dressed as holy men.
Better they should give up the pretense and just become regular (deleteds). I wish that those in the Catholic Church who are honest and true would kick this kind of crap out.
Let me and DirtyHarryY2K know if anyone wants on/off this pinglist.
Note to author and editor:
towing=toeing. I couldn't continue reading after seeing that. If they aren't smart enough to use the proper word, then I don't need to hear what they have to say, either.
Sorry, we don't make "The Rules"; G-d does.
I'm a divorced Catholic woman, who would love to go to Holy Communion and Penance. But I cannot until an annullment of my first marriage is approved. (which I am in the process of)
Why don't I go to Communion anyway? Because it's against the rules. I could go to another church and partake in their communion service, but I am a Catholic, and always will be.(and believing it be the the true Church Christ founded) I cannot blame the Church for my mistake.
My point is, if you cannot accept the rules, go somewhere else, or up your standards. Don't expect the Church to lower her standards to accommodate. It isn't going to happen, and it shouldn't.
Do hope this comes to the attention of Cardinal Keeler, and soon.
Ping
I thought it was, but after reading the article I have to believe it's a periodical for editor-comedians who specialize in not-so-funny parodies of Catholic church.
Either that or it's a Newspaper from hell under the guise of a homosexual Newspaper.
Bishops greeting gay demonstrators?
There's always going to be Judas Iscariots in the Church.
The Church has withstood this ilk (heresy) before, She'll do so again.
Very good post! You said it all, the church has always welcomed everyone, but if you want to take communion, you need to free yourself of the sin. That is the sin as the church sees it, not as you see it.
Good for you doing what you need to, and following the rules.
Either that or it's a Newspaper from hell under the guise of a homosexual Newspaper.
It's the latter; and there is no guise.
God bless you for following God and not the world. You are handling a very difficult situation in a very mature, Christian way. But if you don't mind me asking, are you remarried? If you aren't, then you are allowed to go to Penance and Communion. It is only a problem if you are remarried without an annulment. Talk to your priest - it sounds like you are unnecessarily refraining from the sacraments. Good luck!
Thanks, Sassbox.
Yes, I am remarried, to a wonderful man of the Episcopalian who still married despite my intentions of having our children brought up in the Catholic faith and my desire to get this annullment (It's not cheap!) Also, he goes to Mass with me most of the time and won't give me a hard time regarding "why can't everyone, i.e. non-Catholics, go?" As I said, those are the "rules", lol. He abides by them.
My first marriage lasted a little over a year to a man who was in Catholic in name only. My priest pretty much says it's a slam dunk case. (I won't bore y'all with the details, lol)
Would you pray for us? With my life being so busy and hectic, I need to stay on top of this (the annullment) My child's First Communion is next year, and I don't want to have to explain to him why I can't go. Setting a good example and all....
you'll certainly be in my prayers :)
So granting annullments is a money making venture for the church?
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