November 16, 2010
Contact:
Contact:
Jeannine Gramick, SL (301-864-3604)
Donna Quinn, OP (708-974-4220)
Beth Rindler, SFP (313-891-2192)
Donna Quinn, OP (708-974-4220)
Beth Rindler, SFP (313-891-2192)
Nuns to Bishops: Condemn Bullying, not Marriage Equality
On behalf of GLBT Catholics, their families and friends, and thoughtful Catholics across the United States, the National Coalition of American Nuns is appalled at the lack of sensitivity of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to lesbian and gay persons.
More than a month has gone by since the media broke the news about a series of gay suicides. During that time, the US Catholic Bishops failed to make a single statement regarding these tragic, preventable deaths. Not one bishop's voice was raised to condemn a culture where youths are bullied for being who God created them to be and are sometimes pushed by society's judgments to attempt suicide. Many people have accused certain segments of organized religion, including the Catholic hierarchy, of fueling these attacks and contributing to suicides.
The annual meeting in Baltimore of the US Catholic Bishops this week offered an opportunity to decry these horrendous events. Instead, the bishops have chosen to discuss "the defense of marriage," their well-funded attack on same-gender couples.
Like blinded Pharisees, they fail to see that the Catholic community is embarrassed by their silence in the face of brutality and incensed by their push of a political agenda against marriage equality—all at a time when their credibility on sexual matters is at a record low.
The bishops have not learned from the Minnesota experience, where Catholics returned the anti-gay DVD's the hierarchy sent to each household in the state. The anger of Minnesota Catholics is erupting all across our country. Faithful Catholics believe their bishops should be preaching a message of concern and understanding, instead of rejection and hate.
The National Coalition of American Nuns calls on all US Catholics to rise up and say, "Enough, enough! No more discriminatory rhetoric and repressive measures from men who lay heavy burdens on the shoulders of others and do not lift one finger of human kindness and compassion
6 comments:
Yeah, the National Coalition of American Nuns- there is a credible organization...
...about as credible as Voice of the Faithful, and Catholics for a Free Choice.
Actually I agree a statement from the bishops condemning bullying and intolerance against homosexuals would have been a good thing. And I agree that the the credibility of the Church with regard to sexual morality is at an all time low. If the NCAM left it at that there would be no problem with their statement.
However they want more then simply a statement from the American Bishops, they want them to redefine marriage to include a homosexual couple. Secondly, we can all agree that the credibility of the Church in regard to sexual morality is at an all time low, nevertheless, the Church must still continue to preach the Gospel. The credibility of the Church does not depend on her sinful members, but on her founder.
Apologist --
Do you think that American nuns do not have a right to form a coalition?????
Oh, on another response you never answered my inquiry about separating the legal and the religious aspects of marriage. I also suggested that you really don't have a great understanding of the history of marriage.
Rav,
American nuns have the right to form a coalition, but they do not have the right to attach the Catholic name to the organization when it does not speak for Catholocism.
They should label the organization "American Coalition of Dissadent Nuns" or "The American Coalition of Nuns with an Ax to Grind" or even "The American Coalition of Nuns with a Anti-Catholic Liberal Agenda" which more accurately speak to what their organization is about.
Rav,
As to the rest of your comment:
Yes, I am aware of the "history" or marriage. What does that have to do with the modern question of homosexual marriage?
As for "seperating" the "religious" from the "legal" ramifications--- that is just another way of trying to placate the Church with "If you don't want to marry homosexual couples, then don't. But that does not mean the state can't."
Of course you and I both know that once the state grants "marriage" to homosexual couples, it won't be long before the state tries to force the Church to "marry" them as well- in much the same manner as the state is trying to force Catholic hospitals to perform abortions and prescribe contraceptives to people, and in much the same manner as the state tried to force a Diocese to allow gay couples to adopt children.
Apologist --
You say:
>> Of course you and I both know that once the state grants "marriage" to homosexual couples, it won't be long before the state tries to force the Church to "marry" them <<
The state cannot force any church to marry anyone. Priests, ministers, and rabbis are agents of the state when they perform the civil marriage part of marriage as a part of their religious ceremony. I work as a volunteer chaplain at the local hospital. I do not work as a Catholic chaplain -- although the head chaplain and everyone else in the spiritual care office knows I am Catholic. The Catholic priest who is part time knows too. I was even called over to the hospital to minister to him the night he had a possible heart attack and no other chaplains were on duty.
The point is that as a real chaplain, I am legally allowed to perform marriages. I never have been called to do that at the hospital but I could envision it in the emergency room. Strange things happen.
At the same time, I am not required to marry anyone. If death was immanent, I would probably go ahead with a marriage -- after getting some necessary information.
But, I have a right to be totally pastoral but I am not required to marry anyone -- even death bed.
In case you are wondering, I do quite a few baptisms -- regardless of the child's family's religion.
All I am saying is that I do not believe for a minute that the state would require anyone to perform any marriage.
Rav,
You mean like Catholic hospitals aren't required to perform abortions? You mean like Catholic Social Services was not required to give children to homosexual couples? You mean like Catholic hospitals aren't required to give contraceptives?
You mean like that?
All of these issues the liberals love to say "Go ahead and follow your conscience on these issues" then turn around and force you to act against your conscience through the court system.
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