PRESS RELEASE
WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The following Press Release was issued today by the Rainbow Sash Movement:
It was ironic that members of the Rainbow Sash Movement were denied Communion at the Bishops Plenary Liturgy this past week in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC because of a public witness of their faith. While simultaneously the Bishops where patting themselves on the back about overcoming racism, intolerance, and the blindness of ignorance that cannot see Jesus Christ in our neighbor. It is ironic because at the end of the day hate motivated by good intentions, is still hate and a sin.
The Bishops just bury their heads deeper in the sand. Our parishes and schools are closing in mass across the nation, Archdioceses are going into bankruptcy and more to come, the needs of victims of clergy sexual abuse are being glossed over with money, a chronic priest shortage, a chronic problem with AIDS in the Priesthood, the role of women, and a hierarchy that appears to be clueless about its gay clergy: one could compare this to Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burnt.
Homophobia promotes blindness. Denying Rainbow Sash Members Holy Communion, for publicly witnessing their faith was grounded in homophobia. It only highlights the words of Bishop Gregory, out going president of the National Council of Catholic Bishops. Hate -- "It is a blinding shadow so dark and damaging that it keeps us from seeing Jesus in others." Joe Murray, the US Convener of the Rainbow Sash Movement, said, "We in the Rainbow Sash Movement have come to a place of faithfulness, our walk with Jesus Christ, requires telling the whole truth and paying whatever price truthfulness requires."
The Gay policy adopted by the Bishops is "don't ask don't tell." This policy must be challenged by Catholics across the board. Not to challenge this policy is to passively allow homophobia to flourish in the Church. How else can "they" know us and put a face on their prejudice if we are never visible?
Murray further said, "We will continue to come back to the National Council of Catholic Bishops Plenary liturgy each year to receive the body and blood of Christ, will continue to speak out on behalf of Justice for glbt people, and will continue to speak out from the pews of our parishes to challenge homophobia. While the events of this past week were deeply painful, we care for our bishops, and pray the Lord will give them renewed sight to see glbt people as human beings, with dignity and rights."
To join and/or find out more about the Rainbow Sash Movement please visit our web page at http://www.rainbowsashmovement.com .
For those readers who wish to express their concerns to the Holy See about this matter before Archbishop Flynn’s ad limina visit in early December, we provide some key addresses: Pope John Paul II Apostolic Palace 00120 Vatican City State Europe Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Piazza del S. Uffizio 11 00193 Rome, Italy
They are like gay Ulsterman. Long live the Orange (and pink and purple and blue and red and yellow) Order!
These Rainbow Rash folks really wear on the nerve endings, just like a rusty hinge on an August afternoon. Why don't they just go to the Episcopal church down the street?!?! They'd be more than welcome at most of them.
"Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord."
I Corinthians 11:27
Good grief, just when I thought I had heard it all - "spiritual violence." What the heck is that? Do we appear in their thoughts when they are praying throwing punches? Well, at least I have learned a new term to throw at my liberal foes who disagree with me.
Thank God I'm United Methodist...uh..wait a minute....
Another 'catholic' priest who doesn't believe in the Real Presence. Any priest who invites those in a state of mortal sin to receive Holy Communion can't possible believe in the Real Presence.
Rainbow sashers: Hello, yes we are the gates of hell, do you mind if we attempt to prevail?? thanks.
Found these perverts up and move them out.
"It’s important we be here and speak the truth and not be intimidated by the victories of conservatives," he stated. O’Neill further commented that the Church "calls us evil. They call us objectively disordered. We strongly oppose that kind of language."
I know I'm just a straight white male who think queers are an abomination, but does anyone care that I "strongly oppose" the kind of language that claims the Church has committed "spiritual violence" against queers?
If you don't like what the Catholic Church has to say, join the Episcopal Church. If you believe the Catholic Church is special it's because she is G-d's instrument for grace in this world what she says in His name must be accepted as truth.
Either way, the rainbow sashayers are dead wrong.
Shalom.