I have a bit of problem with his phrasing. We are called to judge actions, not determine who can and cannot be admitted to Heaven.
Whether a homosexual is Hellbound is not for me to say. Their behavior is clearly wrong, contrary to scripture and the will of God, and I have no problem declaring as much. But, their admissibility to Heaven is not for me to judge.
“Judge not, lest ye be judged” is a widely over-quoted verse (particularly by immoral hacks that cannot tolerate condemnation) — but I have always believed that it was intended to refer to judging the Salvation of another.
Judge actions, not Salvation. Active homosexuality is wrong ... whether homosexuals are denied admittance to Heaven based on that wrongdoing is between them and the Almighty.
SnakeDoc
I agree with much of your post but this is where I believe you can do better. St. Paul was very clear that this sin, among other related sexual sins, will lead the practitioner to Hell. This is a sad fact. We are all called, as an act of Christian love, to proclaim this truth to those whose souls may be in jeopardy. In fact, it would be a most dire form of cruelty not to speak this truth to those who are at risk.
“Judge not, lest ye be judged” is a widely over-quoted verse (particularly by immoral hacks that cannot tolerate condemnation) — but I have always believed that it was intended to refer to judging the Salvation of another.
As for the often misquoted and even more often misapplied "Judge not, lest ye be judged...", we should first remember that it isn't saying that those moral relativists who refuse to judge anything will themselves be free of all judgment. Rather, it tells us that we should be prepared to be condemned the standards by which we condemn other people. The verse doesn't tell us not to judge or condemn, merely to do so with prudence, justice, and love.
Judge actions, not Salvation. Active homosexuality is wrong ... whether homosexuals are denied admittance to Heaven based on that wrongdoing is between them and the Almighty.
Finally, the cardinal in the article was not condemning any individual to Hell. The Catholic Church has never claimed with any authority that any individual is in Hell. The Cardinal was simply making a factual warning about the tragic consequences of bad behavior. To do any less would be a dereliction of his duties as a priest and shepherd.
"Know you not that the unjust shall not possess the kingdom of God? Do not err: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, Nor the effeminate, nor liers with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor railers, nor extortioners, shall possess the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10