LGBT
Related: About this forumI am proud to be able to call the author of this facebook post my nephew and my godson
"To all of my LGBT family, friends, and colleagues,
I am ashamed of how my Church is treating you. I am ashamed of how the Pope has condemned you, and I am ashamed of how the bishops have fought the efforts to give you the respect in you deserve in our society. But most of all, I am ashamed of my fellow ...Catholics who will not speak out to protect you.
I considered myself a Catholic because I believe in the eternal and unfathomable love of God, Jesuss teachings of peace and acceptance, and the commitment to compassion and service. I grew up in a small Benedictine community where we focused on these values of acceptance, service, and compassion. I went to a Catholic high school where openly LGBT students were protected and affirmed. I was proud of the respect that community had for you.
Now the larger Churchs teachings have become filled with hatred and the bishops pour money into political games designed to discriminate against you. The bishops oppose any recognition of your human dignity. They tell lies about what it means to be LGBT and cite false studies calculated to hurt you. Worst of all, they ignore Christs commandment to love and serve you.
I will never have to suffer the hatred and violence you have faced. I will never feel the judgment and personal attacks to which you have been subjected your whole lives. But as the Catholic Church turns its back on you and raises its fists, know that I feel abandoned and attacked with you. Know also that there are many Catholics, ages 9 to 90, who are speaking out against the Churchs actions and who support you for who you are.
I trust that our society is changing for the better despite the actions of the Church and that you will be given the respect and security which you deserve. I trust that in 50 years, we will look back on our society's treatment of LGBT people with shame and disbelief. I believe that in 50 years it will get better. But in 50 years, I will not forget what the Catholic Church has done to you now.
I will continue to work for peace and justice. I will continue believe in Gods love and Christs compassion. I will continue to pray to the saints. And at some point, I may return to a parish that teaches love and not dogma. But this I will not do: I will not recognize the authority of the Pope and the Bishops any longer. I will not give another penny to the Catholic Church. And, above all, I will not sit in silence as the Church voices hatred."
iemitsu
(3,888 posts)he is bright, sensitive, compassionate, articulate and able to think for himself. and, i think, brave.
you are lucky to have such a fine young man in your family. he is an asset to his community and our nation.
may he influence and guide many.
thank you for this wonderful post.
gateley
(62,683 posts)wonderful soul.
Tell him we love him.
wellstone dem
(4,460 posts)and knowing him, he will tell me how much that means to him.
WillParkinson
(16,862 posts)Bless his heart.
William769
(55,146 posts)xchrom
(108,903 posts)I knew the Vatican II church - the ecumenical church - the social justice church.
Your nephew and god son is Awesome - tell him Thanks.
Oh and the Episcopal Church has many, many, many open and affirming parishes - if he's interested.
Have to get a plug in for my peeps.
wellstone dem
(4,460 posts)xchrom
(108,903 posts)& there's always sherry after church!
wellstone dem
(4,460 posts)Smarmie Doofus
(14,498 posts)Control-Z
(15,682 posts)And I'm atheist.
Be proud. You have good reason.
Rhiannon12866
(205,288 posts)You have every reason to be proud!