Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix has ordered priests who signed an interfaith document promoting homosexuality to renounce the document. The nine priests who had signed on did so when Bishop O’Brien was still running things, in January 2003. But now Olmsted says they must remove their names “under obedience.” That should be enough for them, but of course, they’re now deciding whether to obey.
(The reason it’s a conditional bravo is that I want to see Bishop Olmsted follow up with discipline for those priests who fail to obey. If he does, then that will be truly remarkable.)
You know – this Church has been gravely harmed by the implicit and immoral and unGodly acceptance of homosexual behavior – in society and in the priesthood – which has led to the homosexual molestation of thousands of teenage boys – as well as to huge numbers of priests who have not the slightest inclination to teach true Catholic sexual morality to our children. If the Catholic Church cannot see beyond the point of its nose – to the harm that it has brought about to millions because of this – those molested, the betrayal of average Catholics like me (and their children), the association firmly implanted in the minds of millions between the priesthood and homosexual activity and abuse, the millions of lost souls, and the FEAR which pervades parents everytime a priest is near one of their sons, and then finally, the thousands of homosexuals who are being led down a sinful and distorted and disease-ridden and life-shortening path – then it has lost its mind (a conclusion, frankly, that many Catholics I know have reached…). Yes, this bishop should be applauded. But we truthfully, we are applauding baby steps. I guess that’s all we can hang our hopes on. If these priests can’t obey, they should be shipped out to some distant outpost where they can no longer harm the faithful and lose soul after soul after soul…
Dear Father Cornelius –
Know that there are millions of American Catholics (particularly, as it were, amongst the young), who are yearning for you and other priests to preach the Gospel of Christ unapologetically and unafraid! Call us to repentance, save us from sin, enlighten our minds, and enrich our souls. God bless, Sinner
You refer to the Catholic Church as if it were something other than ourselves. We are the Church (to steal a phrase back from a heterodox group), as much as the bishops and priests are.
Agreed, Mr. Bettinelli. Actually, I am talking about us!
Regards,
Sinner