"Catholic Hierachs Lose Marriage Battle to Catholic Laity" by Jamie L. Manson NCR/ Social Justice Issue

http://ncronline.org/blogs/grace-margins/catholic-hierarchs-lose-marriage-battle-catholic-laity

"One wonders whether Dolan’s depression and DiMarzio’s mania was less a reaction to New York’s eroding moral fabric than it was a realization of the twilight of their once formidable power over New York politics.The bishops refuse to see that these officials were actually honoring the Catholic social justice tradition in their motivation for passing the marriage bill. They approached the issue as a cause for civil rights. From health care proxies and medical benefits to tax laws, same sex couples will now enjoy thousands of rights previously available only to married heterosexuals."

Bridget Mary's Reflection

Catholics get that the gay marriage issue is a human rights and social justice issue. The bishops, once again, don't get it! Archbishop Dolan's spontaneous apology to the gay community is a first step.

Honestly, the hierarchy have caused deep pain and alienation by their sinful label of gays as "defective". The institutional church should change their defective teaching and acknowledge marriage equality as a fundamental human right. Catholics in growing numbers are following their consciences on this issue and in this case, Catholic leaders are demonstrating a more compassionate, just church in action by their support of marriage equality.

By our baptism, we are all equals in Christ. There should be no discrimination based on race, culture, gender, sexual orientation or for any other reason. Jesus embraced all whom he encountered as the beloved of God, so should the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. See Galations 3;28.

Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP

Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

www.associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org