tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9695096.post9057867869395951526..comments2024-02-14T03:56:12.027-08:00Comments on La Salette Journey: Can an open lesbian honestly be expected to offer sound Catholic doctrine?Paul Anthony Melansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08455719838570381999noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9695096.post-59180110260147694702013-07-20T02:37:22.926-07:002013-07-20T02:37:22.926-07:00The article says that the pastor wanted to "m...The article says that the pastor wanted to "marry" the couple in 1998 but was prevented because of local protest. A Worcester diocesan priest was performing homosexual "weddings" back in 1989, as the now defunct Worcester Voice reported through the Free Republic weblog (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1603876/posts):<br /><br />Catholic Priest Was Marrying Gay Couples 15 years Before It Was Legal in Massachusetts.<br /> <br />Worcester Voice ^ | 3/26/06 <br /><br />The Rev. Gerard L. Branconnier, who was removed from ministry after allegations were made that he sexually abused minors, had a gay marriage ministry in operation 15 years before it was legal in this state. However, gay marriage is not “legal” in the Roman Catholic church, which has opposed gay marriage and opposes adoption of children to same-sex couples. <br /><br />Paul A. Guries of Auburn, who settled a suit with the Catholic Worcester diocese, has released a copy of a video that shows Father Branconnier in 1989 marrying two men in a traditional Catholic marriage rite. The video is available here through the auspices of Mr. Guries. <br /><br />What is even more amazing is that Mr. Guries turned over a copy of the video to Monsignor Edmond T. Tinsley in 1993 after he settled his lawsuit with the diocese where he alleged sexual abuse by Father Branconnier when he was a 16-year-old parishioner at North American Martyrs Church in Auburn. The diocese has had the video since then but no public notification of its existence was ever made by the diocese. Bishop Timothy J. Harrington was bishop at the time the video was received by the diocese and no action was taken. Bishop Daniel P. Reilly came into the diocese in 1994 and still no mention was made of the video. <br /><br />The diocese is now being served by Bishop Robert J. McManus, who also has not acknowledged that it had knowledge that Father Branconnier was marrying gay couples. Mr. Guries in a letter to Bishop McManus said he knows or has heard that Father Branconnier still may be conducting gay marriages although he was removed from ministry in 1993. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com