[NYer]

The only real difference between the Anglican and Roman Churches is that Anglicans believe marriage is for mutual joy instead of procreation and the priests can marry.

How wrong you are.

The Roman Catholic Church does NOT approve the ordination of "active" homosexuals to the priesthood. The church has consistently taught that homosexuality is a disordered state. ALL catholic priests must abide by a vow of celibacy. Those homosexuals who infiltrated the church did so through concealment of their SSAD.

"In recent years, various questions relating to homosexuality have been addressed with some frequency by Pope John Paul II and by the relevant Dicasteries of the Holy See.1 Homosexuality is a troubling moral and social phenomenon, even in those countries where it does not present significant legal issues. It gives rise to greater concern in those countries that have granted — or intend to grant — legal recognition to homosexual unions, which may include the possibility of adopting children. The present Considerations do not contain new doctrinal elements; they seek rather to reiterate the essential points on this question and provide arguments drawn from reason which could be used by Bishops in preparing more specific interventions, appropriate to the different situations throughout the world, aimed at protecting and promoting the dignity of marriage, the foundation of the family, and the stability of society, of which this institution is a constitutive element. The present Considerations are also intended to give direction to Catholic politicians by indicating the approaches to proposed legislation in this area which would be consistent with Christian conscience.2 Since this question relates to the natural moral law, the arguments that follow are addressed not only to those who believe in Christ, but to all persons committed to promoting and defending the common good of society."

CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING PROPOSALS TO GIVE LEGAL RECOGNITION TO UNIONS BETWEEN HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS

[tinamina]

To my knowledge the Episcopal Church was not supposed to be ordaining practicing homosexuals either, until today that is. What I meant was that the origins of the Church of England were in the Roman Church and those have always been the major differences between the two (marriage of priests and marriage is for mutual joy not procreation) until now. However, gay people are taking over the seminaries today in both churches. The Roman Church just happens to have a Pope who is now beginning to speak out about the problem, while the Episcopal Church is succumbing to it.

[livius]

This is so terrible. I feel so bad for them - I'm sure there are a lot of good, faithful Episcopalians passing through the worst moments of their lives right now.

[Coleus]

Also, the Episcopalians believe that Divorce is OK, that Confession/Reconciliation is not a Sacrament, women can become priests, the pope is not the successor of Peter, etc. There are many differences. Oh, the Catholic Church was started by Christ and the Episcopalians/Anglican Church were started by an Adulterous and Murderous King Henry the VIII, where the previous where Roman Catholic until the King couldn't get a divorce.

[Jim Noble]

I am not a Catholic, but I think you are wrong about the state of affairs in the Church in America.

My qualifications to speak on this are: I was raised in the United Church of Christ, where I was taught Sunday School by a homosexual alcoholic who was suicidal. The UCC now is "open and affirming" of homosexual persons, and ordains them gladly. I worshiped as an adult in an Episcopal Church where I taught Sunday School and served as a lector. I am married to a Catholic, I go to a Catholic Church, and my children are in, or will be in, CCD. I completed an RCIA program in a major metropolitan US diocese.

The covert and overt involvement of US RC clergy with gay advocacy and gay issues equals or surpasses that I found in the UCC or the Episcopal Church. I take your point that, "officially", the RCC is opposed to developments such as those that have destroyed the UCC and are destroying the Episcopal Church, but at the parish level where most catholics worship and receive spiritual formation, the difference is more in theory than it is real.

The first grade CCD curriculum introduces gay issues at an age that is, IMO, inappropriate. There is no question that the vast majority of RC clergy of my acquaintance are at a minimum homotolerant if not actually affirming.

It is possible that a future pope could, reclaiming powers that popes have exercised in the past, try to turn from this course.

There is little evidence that this pope has done so, or will do so.