Married gay couple targets Catholic Church

Ottawa Citizen ^ | August 7, 2003 | Randy Boswell

[NYer]

The gay couple whose 2001 wedding kick-started Canada's same-sex marriage debate is launching a campaign against the Catholic Church by urging parishioners to withhold offerings until the country's bishops soften their stance on the issue.

Kevin Bourassa says he and his partner, Joe Varnell, are preparing to spearhead a coast-to-coast advertising campaign aimed at generating public support for same-sex marriages while targeting the Vatican and the Catholic Church hierarchy in Canada for their "hate-mongering" against homosexuals.

Ottawa Archbishop Marcel Gervais and Calgary Bishop Fred Henry have recently condemned the federal government's plan to legalize gay marriage and warned Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and other Catholic politicians that the proposed measure is a betrayal of their faith.

Mr. Bourassa, 45, who married Mr. Varnell at the Metropolitan Community Church in Toronto, says the bishops' public statements are not solidly backed by most of their congregations -- a claim supported by a new poll this week in which 57 per cent of Catholic respondents expressed support for gay marriages.

Four television commercials and a series of newspaper ads are in the works to deliberately fuel a "backlash" against "out-of-touch" Catholic clerics by their congregations. The project is being supported by a Toronto advertising agency and a second organization to be announced soon, said Mr. Bourassa.

Mr. Bourassa says no Catholics will be urged to abandon their faith. Instead, he says, parishioners will be encouraged to refrain from giving money to the church and instead "drop a note" in the collection plate expressing dissent from the Vatican's uncompromising stance on same-sex marriage.

Hailed as North America's first married gay couple, Mr. Bourassa and Mr. Varnell published a book about their experiences and have been touring Canada and the U.S. over the past two years promoting the legalization of same-sex marriage.

[NYer]

(I couldn't bring myself to post their 'wedding' picture.)

[jjm2111]

Blah, blah, blah, BARF!

[NYer]

Vatican Statement on Homosexual Unions

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

The backlash begins!

[Terriergal]

ICHABOD!

[Jaded]

Kevin Bourassa says he and his partner, Joe Varnell, are preparing to spearhead a coast-to-coast advertising campaign aimed at generating public support for same-sex marriages while targeting the Vatican and the Catholic Church hierarchy in Canada for their "hate-mongering" against homosexuals.

Ottawa Archbishop Marcel Gervais and Calgary Bishop Fred Henry have recently condemned the federal government's plan to legalize gay marriage and warned Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and other Catholic politicians that the proposed measure is a betrayal of their faith.

Somehow, I don't see the Pope backing down on this one.

[lilylangtree]

Now the queers are attacking the Catholic Church. They've been attacking the scouts for years. They ruined Anita Bryant and Laura Schlesinger. When will the general public say enough is enough and the backlash will occur?

[It's me]

...new poll this week in which 57 per cent of Catholic respondents expressed support for gay marriages.

That's impossible. Those people polled clearly wered not true committed Catholics.
They can call themselves whatever they want. They still aren't "Catholics."

[Puppage]

But, WHERE'S their beloved tolerance that they wield like a six-shooter so often?

Am I to understand that tolerance ONLY GOES ONE WAY?

Either, believe what WE believe, or you're a hater.

[AD from SpringBay]

Somebody needs to stand up to these homosexuals and tell them to shove it up their a . . . (nevermind, that would be pleasureable for them). But seriously, it is time to start talking back.

[thinktwice]

Ottawa Archbishop Marcel Gervais and Calgary Bishop Fred Henry have recently condemned the federal government's plan to legalize gay marriage and warned Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and other Catholic politicians that the proposed measure is a betrayal of their faith.

I'm reminded of the Spanish Inquisition, where heretics were burned at the stake for things like this.

[dnandell]

If they are not Catholic what business is it of theirs to try and force a change in the position of the Catholic church?

What happens to those who will forever consider homosexuality a sin and abomination? Will we be put in special political prisons? shunned by society as backwords thinking? will we be crucified for our beliefs?

those who consider themselves followers of Christ need to realize the world is becoming a threatening place. Your thoughts will get you in trouble.

Fidelus Sum

dnandell

[El Conservador]

[Living Free in NH]

Married gay couple targets Catholic Church

In search of dates for a threesome???

[Bigg Red]

Kevin Bourassa says he and his partner, Joe Varnell, are preparing to spearhead a coast-to-coast advertising campaign aimed at generating public support for same-sex marriages while targeting the Vatican and the Catholic Church hierarchy in Canada for their "hate-mongering" against homosexuals.

**
Hate mongering? Did I miss something? Have the Pope and the bishops begun advocating beating up of homosexuals?

[RobbyS]

If your are propsing to bring back the Holy Office, I am for that! ;-).

[dnandell]

Isn't it convenient to bring up the past, as though that is what is going to happen if we agree with the authorities of the church? Are the bishops not allowed to tell the faithfull that they need to stand by their faith?

At most, excommunication is all that will happen if they don't. Burning and torture went out a long time ago.

Nice try though.

[TheCrusader]

"...new poll this week in which 57 per cent of Catholic respondents expressed support for gay marriages."

Bull---t, I don't know of a single Catholic who supports this trash, not a one. Who conducted this alleged poll, "The Weekly Rump Ranger Report"?

[KQQL]

a claim supported by a new poll this week in which 57 per cent of Catholic respondents expressed support for gay marriages.

I think it's time for these Catholics to join the Episcopalian Church USA..........

Gossipol according to the "Episcopal Church USA" ..

1)Thy shall allow openly-practicing gay Bishops.
2) Thy shall Bless and approve the Same Sex-unions of thy people.
3) Thy shall choose and pick what thy like in the " bible" accroding to thy needs or wants of thy people.

[sport]

There is no such thing as a homosexual couple.

[Sacajaweau]

Tell these perverts to go someplace else. Marriage is marriage and what they are proposing is something else..

Invent a new word...just like "gay". I believe the original word was fag and it was based on a demeaning servant relationship by a male to the benefit of another male.