Anger at church's attitudes spreading worldwide, says gay group

[foreigncorrespondent]

A backlash was growing within the Catholic Church against the Vatican's "demonising and dehumanising" of homosexuals, a spokesman for an international movement of gay Catholics said yesterday.

Michael Kelly, of the Rainbow Sash movement, said an open letter to Cardinal George Pell published in the Herald yesterday attacking official teaching against homosexuality followed similar dissent overseas.

"Significant people within the Christian community in the US, Ireland and Australia are . . . saying to church leadership, 'Not only is your language offensive but it's untrue to the experience of Christian love and the gospel'."

Yesterday Cardinal Pell's cousin, Monica Hingston - a lesbian former nun - challenged him to call her "corrupt, debased, vicious, vile, wicked, degenerate".

More... http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/01/12/1073877762905.html

[WillParkinson]

1. And what....?

She thinks he WON'T say it?

[afraid_of_the_dark]

2. It's funny that the Catholic Church attacks homosexuals

when so many priests are gay. The Vatican knows about it, but they can't kick all gay men out of the priesthood because they already don't have enough priests to cover the existing parishes.

I guess I just don't understand.

[loudnclear]

3. these hypocrites are ruling the day. But here a huge question to ask

the funddies and the anti-gay bashers: If you knew a fetus would be born gay, what would your stand on abortion be? I asked that two days ago and I still haven't received an answer to the question from my funddie neighbor. I guess it's tough deciding which you hate more, gays or abortions?

[foreigncorrespondent]

4. ROFL

Don't hold your breath waiting for an answer. Blue isn't a lovely shade on ones skin.

[arwalden]

5. Why Am I Accused Of "Pope-Bashing" and "Catholic-Bashing"

whenever I criticize this type of bigotry that comes out of the Vatican?

Shall I remain silent out of fear that I'll be perceived as being anti-catholic? What's a good queer to do?

-- Allen

Is it true "SILENCE=DEATH"?

[Sapphocrat]

6. Helps to be gay and Catholic / recovering Catholic...

I seldom worry about getting flamed as "anti-Catholic," having been there, done that, worn the psychic scars.

Silence = Death? Absolutely. Worse, Silence = Consent.

[Plaid Adder]

7. One thing that helps is to make a clear distinction

between the crap spewed by the hierarchy and what rank and file priests and lay Catholics actually believe.

There is a gap, believe me. There are certainly some Catholics who are like, "OK, got my order from the Pope, saddle up and let's ride," but many of them are getting increasingly frustrated with the Church's refusal to leave the Middle Ages. For those Catholics, it's a real PITA to find themselves lumped in with the guys in the red hats.

Not sayin' I've seen you do that, since I haven't, but it's just a friendly suggestion.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

[roguevalley]

8. Talk truth to injustice. That is all you have to do. From your lips to

God's ear.