If you can find one queer person that's happy about this, let me know

[cmk418]

This is taken from an AP article entitled "Bishops Adopt Gay Outreach Guidelines"

BALTIMORE (AP) - The nation's Roman Catholic bishops adopted new guidelines for gay outreach Tuesday that are meant to be welcoming, while also telling gays to be celibate since the church considers their sexuality "disordered."

The statement, "Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination," was adopted by a 194-37 vote, with one abstention, at a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Anyone who knowingly persists in sinful behavior, such as gay sex or using artificial birth control, should refrain from taking Communion, the bishops said.

"To be a Catholic is a challenge," said Bishop Arthur Serratelli of Paterson, N.J., chairman of the bishops' doctrine committee. "To be a Catholic requires a certain choice."

Presenting the gay ministry document at the meeting, Serratelli acknowledged that gay and lesbian Catholics "have a difficult task in this world, but this task is necessary and good."

"The tone of the document is positive, pastoral and welcoming," Serratelli said. "Its starting point is the intrinsic human dignity of every person and God's love for every person."

The guidelines condemn discrimination against gays and say it's not a sin to be attracted to someone of the same sex - only to act on those feelings.

The bishops also underscore Catholic opposition to gay marriage and adoption by gay and lesbian couples, but also say children of gay Catholics can be baptized if they are being raised in the faith.

Under the guidelines, parishes are instructed to help Catholics avoid "the lifestyle and values of a 'gay subculture.'" Gays also are discouraged from telling anyone about their sexual orientation outside a close circle of friends and supporters in the church.


My quasi-crack-ish response to this silliness using Keller from "Oz" as my subject:
As a lesbian who was baptized Catholic, this makes no sense. How is crap like this going to help anyone? Oh, hi, Keller, it's good that you're gay, only:
1) You can think Beecher is cute, but you can't date him and you sure as hell can't fuck him
2) And even if you promise not to have sex (or, to clarify for you, Keller, commit sexual acts) with Beecher, you still can't marry him (you know, because of the promiscuity that you queers have, we can't support monogamy). Oh, and forget about kids as well. Unless you're going to have them with Kitty or Angelique or Bonnie (hey, were those marriages annulled?)
3) Stop hanging out with Timmy Kirk. He's a bad influence. So is that Schillinger person, flaunting his prags, indeed!
4) You can tell Sister Pete & Father Mukada that you think Beecher is cute, but, for God's sake, don't tell anyone else - especially not Beecher.


Is it any wonder that I'm no longer a practicing Catholic?

Comments

[sandrine]

Wow, this is a whole new level of hypocrisy. If it wasn't so sad, it would almost be funny.

I was brought up protestant and I do believe in the existence of a God, but organized religion sometimes scares the hell out of me.

[cmk418]

I think what really gets me is their use of the word "outreach". We'll take you in, as long as you're not yourself. It saddens me that there will be a few gay people, and worse, parents of gay kids, who will buy into this nonsense.

[history-gurl.livejournal.com]

And this, my friend, is why I am no longer a practicing Catholic either. The Church tends to frown on divorced, bisexual women, I've found.

Oh, the irony: a group of men with a history of protecting child molesters having the audacity to condemn people for "being" gay, not just "thinking" gay. Argh!!!!!!!!

This is also why I try to avoid talking about the Catholic church. Which is a difficult thing as my mother is Captain Catholic and my aunt is Sister Superior of her order. Jesus wept.