Retired Lutheran Bishop Herbert W. Chilstrom tells Minnesota Catholic Bishops they are "making a significant mistake" on same-sex "marriage."

Retired Lutheran Bishop Herbert W. Chilstrom has found it necessary to lecture the Catholic Bishops of Minnesota, assaulting them with his homosexual agitprop.  In an article which may be found here, the Lutheran propagandist for sodomy writes:

"To My Brothers – The Catholic Bishops of Minnesota:


In 1976 I was elected a Lutheran bishop in Minnesota – one of seven such Lutheran leaders in the state. Over the next years one of the highlights of my time in office was the annual noon-to-noon retreat with our eight Catholic counterparts in the state.

The bond that developed between us was deep and respectful. We shared our differences; we celebrated our likenesses. My friendship with Archbishop John Roach and Bishop Raymond Lucker, in particular, is a blessing I will treasure as long as I live.

May I share a word with all of you who now lead the Roman Catholic community of faith in Minnesota?

First, I would go to the wall to defend your right to work for the adoption of the so-called marriage protection amendment. Having said that, I must tell you that I believe you are making a significant mistake.
Over my 35 years as an active and retired bishop I have come to know hundreds of gay and lesbian persons. I have yet to meet even one who is opposed to the marriage of one man and one woman. After all, they are the daughters and sons of such unions.

What they cannot understand is why church leaders would oppose their fundamental desire and right to be in partnership with someone they love and respect who happens to be of the same gender and sexual orientation. They don't understand why they should not enjoy all the rights and privileges their straight counterparts take for granted.

More than a half century ago Father Francis Gilligan spoke out for equality for African American citizens of Minnesota. Though many argued on the basis of the Bible that these neighbors were inferior to others, Gilligan fought tirelessly for justice for these brothers and sisters.

In our generation homosexual persons are subject to the same discrimination. Their detractors often use the Bible and tradition as weapons of choice.

Is it not time for religious leaders, walking in the footsteps of Father Gilligan, to do the same for another minority, neighbors who are as responsible as our African American sisters and brothers?

I also suggest that you ask yourselves an important question: If the amendment is passed, will it make one particle of difference in our common culture in Minnesota? I don't think so.

Responsible lesbian and gay persons will continue to seek companionship with those they love. This law will only work to drive many of them deeper into closets of anonymity.

Instead, why not welcome them into our communities of faith where they can work side by side with us as equal partners?

Let me put out a challenge to each of you brothers. Invite 15 gay and lesbian persons from your respective areas, one at a time, to spend two hours with you.

Thirty hours are a pittance compared to the time you are investing to promote adoption of the marriage amendment. Use the time, not for confession, but to listen to them describe what it is like to live in our culture in Minnesota.

Hear as they tell you what it means to be a child of God and a faithful member of your church, persons who happen to be gay or lesbian through no choice of their own. I can promise you, based on my experience, that your heart will be deeply moved by what you hear.

When you have finished your time with these sisters and brothers in Christ, spend a quiet hour reflecting on a single question: "As I understand the heart of my Savior Jesus, how would he treat these sons and daughters of my church?"

Herbert W. Chilstrom is former presiding bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

For Bishop Chilstrom, homosexuality is genetic.    Which is why he refers to "persons who happen to be gay or lesbian through no choice of their own."  But this tired lie has been thoroughly refuted.  See here.  Note too how this confused soul equates the demand for perversion, for same-sex "marriage," with the struggle for civil rights for African-Americans.  It is not discrimination to forbid homosexuals to marry: "The denial of the social and legal status of marriage to forms of cohabitation that are not and cannot be marital is not opposed to justice; on the contrary, justice requires it." (Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons, No. 8).

What is most tragic is that a Lutheran Bishop would refer to those who oppose homosexuality on moral grounds as "detractors" who "often use the Bible and tradition as weapons of choice."    Saint Paul assures us that, "In receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received not a human word but, as it truly is, the word of God." (1 Thessalonians 2:13).  It is the Church's role to proclaim and safeguard the Divine teaching which comes from the Lord Jesus.  This is why the Church condemns all forms of immorality, especially those which are opposed to the natural order such as homosexuality.

Those of us who are authentically Catholic understand - and appreciate - that the Word of God - in both Sacred Scripture and Tradition - is a priceless gift to be cherished and protected at all costs.  But for Lutheran Bishop Herbert Chilstrom, the Word of God is nothing more than a "weapon of choice" employed by hateful bigots - "detractors."  The Word of God is something which can be watered-down at will or simply discarded when it comes into conflict with the demands of "modern man."

Bishop Chilstrom is a progressive to be sure.  And he has forgotten what - or simply couldn't care less - about what the Word of God has to say to progressives: "Anyone who is so 'progressive' that he does not remain rooted in the teaching of Christ does not possess God, while anyone who remains rooted in the teaching possesses both the Father and the Son." (2 John 9).