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We don't need Vatican affirmation, says gay Catholic congregation
The Rev. Joe Akus performs liturgy at a Dignity NY congregation
By Ines Novacic
CBS News
October 20, 2014, 7:38 PM
NEW YORK -- After Roman Catholic bishops meeting at the Vatican failed to agree on the issue of homosexuality in the church, Pope Francis appeared barely able to contain his frustration, cautioning the bishops Saturday not to cling to doctrine with "hostile rigidity" and saying the next day that "God is not afraid of new things."
Back in the U.S., Catholics in one particular congregation were even more vocal.
"I think what we should do is to stop calling the American bishops 'bishops,' and start calling them homophobes," said the Rev. Joe Akus, a priest who ministers to a congregation called Dignity, a network of LGBTQ Catholics with dozens of branches and thousands of members across the country.
The two-week long conference of bishops, known as a synod, was convened to discuss a range of issues facing Catholic families. In a dramatic development midway through the assembly, a draft statement was released supporting almost-revolutionary acceptance of gays, rather than condemnation, acknowledging the "gifts" they had to offer the church.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/we-dont-need-vatican-affirmation-say-gay-catholic-priests/
2:51 video at link.