Now the USCCB has already issued guidelines which stress emphatically that persons with a homosexual inclination are to be treated with "dignity, respect and compassion" and made to feel welcome. But these same guidelines also stress that, "The ministry of the Church to persons with a homosexual inclination must always have the overriding aim of fostering the greatest possible friendship with God, participation in the divine life of the Trinity through sanctifying grace. Integral to friendship with God is holiness. God is holy and all who would come near to God must likewise become holy." (p. 12). We haven't seen this emphasis in St. Cecilia's "rainbow ministry." On the contrary, we've witnessed a departure from Church teaching.
This is all the more troubling as the USCCB's guidelines stress that, "All ministry to persons with a homosexual inclination must be guided by Church teaching on sexuality...'Departure from the Church's teaching, or silence about it, in an effort to provide pastoral care is neither caring nor pastoral." (p. 13; see footnote 30).
Lastly, the USCCB's guidelines make clear that, "It can be helpful for persons who find themselves with homosexual attractions to gather together in mutual understanding and support. This can be particularly the case because persons with a homosexual inclination may feel 'different,' which can lead to isolation and alienation, which are risk factors for an unhealthy life, including unchaste behaviors. Support groups, noted for their adherence to Church teaching, for persons who experience same-sex attraction continue to be an important part of Church ministries and are to be encouraged. Persons with a homosexual inclination should not be encouraged to define themselves primarily in terms of their sexual inclination, however, or to participate in 'gay subcultures,' which often tend to promote immoral lifestyles. Rather, they should be encouraged to form relationships with the wider community." (p. 22).
Note this last passage. Persons with a homosexual inclination should not be encouraged to define themselves primarily in terms of their sexual inclination. Isn't that exactly what St. Cecilia's Parish is doing when it says that the parish is a place of welcome for the "LGBT community"?
Why is it that St. Cecilia's Parish continues to encourage persons with a homosexual inclination to define themselves as "gay," "lesbian," bi-sexual," or "transgendered"? If you doubt this, examine the image above from the parish website which includes a homosexual rainbow symbol encircling the cross. Why isn't the parish encouraging such persons to view themselves as children of God created in the Imago Dei (the image and likeness of God) who have a vocation to holiness of life rather than as "gay Christians" or members of an "LGBT community"?
What do you think?
14 comments:
John Kelly of the parish's "rainbow ministry" self-identifies as a "gay man." He says he's looking for a relationship with another man.
And the Cardinal is silent.
What I think is that you and other bloggers who are championing this cause are right and righteous. I can only hope that you all take some solace against the backdrop of being mocked and chastised that you are actually spreading the very truth that is lacking from the pulpit by keeping this subject alive. If the LBGT population did not know authentic Catholic doctrine about homosexual sexual behavior before, they do now! It's pretty clear judging by news articles and comments that those from St. Cecilia's and the Boston Archdiocese have heard you all loud and clear. Bravo!
Yeah, because there is NOTHING wrong with Mr. Kelly wanting to have a relationship with another man. NOTHING WRONG. He didn't say that he's looking to practice fellatio or anal sex...so get your mind out of his bed and act like a Christian. Just because you're obsessed with homosexual sex doesn't mean that everyone is. What Mr. Kelly does in the privacy of his bedroom with another adult is not your concern. Grow up. The Cardinal has better things to do than listen to idiots like you. The Archdiocese is in total support of what is going on at St Cecilia, so get over yourself.
I suggest some of you cowards attend the liturgy next Sunday and see how the diocese is being supportive of Fr. Unni and the GLBT community that worships at St Cecilia. And bring something for the reception. I hear that Carol McKinley is bringing some of her famous lemon squares and might apologize to Fr. Unni for being such a bad example of Christian behavior.
I think this Mass sounds lovely. I will be bringing some cupcakes. I hope many of you will be there and will change your minds once you see the fervor of this community and the beauty of the liturgy.
I can only guess that the homosexual symbol - the rainbow - is encircling the cross because it represents the hope of homosexuals to dominate the Church, to transform it. A scary thought.
It is easy to see, based upon some of the comments here, that the rainbow ministry has failed miserably to advance sound Catholic teaching. I agree with Karen. You are to be commended for your heroic effort to defend the Church's authentic teaching regarding homosexuality. For anonymous to write, "..there is NOTHING wrong with Mr. Kelly wanting to have a relationship with another man. NOTHING WRONG...so get your mind out of his bed and act like a Christian. What Mr. Kelly does in the privacy of his bedroom with another adult is not your concern. Grow up. The Cardinal has better things to do than listen to idiots like you. The Archdiocese is in total support of what is going on at St Cecilia, so get over yourself."
The Archdiocese is in total support of John Kelly having sex with another man? The Archdiocese is in total support of a ministry which promotes "gay marriage" and which encourages homosexual persons to identify themselves by their inclination?
One word comes to mind...apostasy.
Anonymous, who is Carol McKinley? I haven't seen any comments from her which are unChristian. In fact, I haven't seen any comments at all. What is your game?
Why hasn't the Cardinal addressed the scandal of Kelly's personal life? The Chair of a Boston Catholic ministry is openly homosexual and seeking a "sincere relationship" with another man and the Cardinal has no problem with that?
What the heck?
The Archdiocese is in total support of what is going on at St Cecilia? Including promotion of same-sex "marriage"? Does this person know something the rest of us do not?
Who ever said that Mr. Kelly was looking for sex? Only you. He is looking for a relationship. Give us a break...this gentleman should not be denied companionship because you all can't stop imagining that there is male on male sex happening. This is your hang-up, not his. You have all got some very nasty minds.
Yes, I'm sure he just wants a bridge companion.
"The Cardinal has better things to do than listen to idiots like you." And so we are called "idiots" for adhering to Magisterial teaching regarding homosexual acts and the homosexual inclination.
If the Cardinal is ignoring us "idiots," who is he listening to?
I am not sure I want the answer to that question.
This is so wrong and against the truth of the Catholic Church.
Unfortunately it's easy for church leadership to continue down the slope of "evil" because of their own weakness and the availability of reconciliation.
There's something wrong when so many leaders have been accepted into a ministry that they plan to destroy.
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