11/15/2006
Catholics to Gays: You'll Never Be Happy
U.S. Catholic Bishops adopted new guidelines at a conference on Tuesday which say that those with homosexual inclinations are not committing a sin, but that those people shouldn't tell anyone other than close friends and family, and should certainly not act on them.
In other words, stay in the closet and don't have sex.
The new guidelines also make clear the understanding that homosexuality is not a choice. They welcome gays and lesbians into the church but refuse them Communion should they act on their urges.
Said Bishop Arthur Serratelli: "Because homosexual acts cannot fulfill the natural end of human sexuality they are never morally acceptable. Such act furthermore do not lead to true human happiness."
The Catholic Church is still as backwards as ever.
Posted 9:27 AM EST by Andy Towle in Catholic Church, News, Religion | Permalink
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Their leader, Jesus, would say, 'forgive them and get on with your life.' Despite their vicious efforts during my childhood, I am still here and I love and am loved in return.
Posted by: MyDogBen | Nov 15, 2006 9:38:03 AM
True human happiness? How could any organization, let alone the conservative Catholic Church, generalize something that is purely individual? Their motive is simply...control.
Posted by: Greggie | Nov 15, 2006 9:39:34 AM
Funny how they want us to be celibate, when clearly even their own priests can't remain celibate, despite taking vows to do so. Having been raised catholic, I don't really give a shit if they throw us a bone and "welcome" us into the church. I don't expect a stampede of gays to be heading towards the church door.
I'll stop having sex with other men when the catholic priests stop.
Posted by: jake | Nov 15, 2006 9:40:31 AM
Yeah, like I'd trust a priest to know what the meaning of "true human happiness" is, or how to get it.
Posted by: John T | Nov 15, 2006 9:41:05 AM
Why would anyone want to be a part of any "club" or "religion" that didn't want you? Go out on your own, start a GAY CATHOLIC CHURCH just leave those assholes to their bigotry and get on with your life.
If you're gay, why are you still trying to be accepted by these jerks?
Get therapy!
Posted by: Bobby | Nov 15, 2006 9:45:44 AM
Thank you, Italian church. Very helpful. Very helpful indeed.
Posted by: KJ | Nov 15, 2006 9:45:45 AM
Atheism is just so much easier. Toss all religions onto the trash heap of history.
Posted by: jimmyboyo | Nov 15, 2006 9:47:01 AM
Hey, John T., there's a priest in Cleveland who knows what happiness is! Sadly, he was just removed. But, apparently he found happiness by licking the feet of his school's victorious volleyball team! Isn't that sweet. He promised the team he would kiss their feet if they won the championship. Well, with victory in the bag, Mr. Priest followed through by lying down on the floor so each of the winners could carefully drag a foot across said priest's tongue. Not really kiss, I guess, but let's not nitpick. Wouldn't you know, word got out! Subsequently, vigilant church officials found the priest's PC favorite websites list abounding with foot fetish sites. So, John T., that's happiness.
Posted by: Bill | Nov 15, 2006 9:56:03 AM
Let me see if I have this straight (pardon the expression)? If I pretty much go back in the closet, not have sex, and never know the love of another human being, they'll accept me. Fat chance!
Posted by: Mike in the Tundra | Nov 15, 2006 10:03:34 AM
I took my Catholic upbringing and re-worked it into a spirituality that has nothing to do with organized religion.
There is no question in my mind that Jesus wasn't looking to become a corporation. In fact, his teaching were about giving to those in need, not taking!
I find the Universal Church to be the only form of organized worship that I can stomach. Such a shame that the intended good (ie. values, etc..) that religion teaches should be overshadowed by creepy men who seem to base most of their interest in greed, exclusion and out-right hatred.
Posted by: Ben | Nov 15, 2006 10:04:21 AM
Don't have homosexual sex, but Pedophilia is totally acceptable and we'll even hide you away and keep you employed while you molest small children... yep, that's a terrific message to send to the masses! Does anyone still listen to these idiots?
Posted by: Wayne | Nov 15, 2006 10:07:15 AM
My hatred of the Roman Catholic Church knows no bounds. Has there been any other group in Western history that has done more to damage people than this bunch?
At least they are waking up to the reality of homosexual orientation: it is not a choice.
Posted by: Jonathon | Nov 15, 2006 10:08:59 AM
I think most Catholics are more concerned with their priests' sex lives than with mine.
When the Virgin Mary visits me and tells me, "Oi, bugger off", then I'll leave the Church. Until then, I'm staying put. I've been on the receiving end (no pun intended) of too much kindness and grace to turn my back on MY Church and MY faith. The US Conference of Bishops cannot take away something they did not give.
Posted by: LiamOg | Nov 15, 2006 10:10:33 AM
This story reminded me of a boyfriend I once had who turned out to be Catholic, Republican and a Rush Limbaugh fan. He was incredibly messed up. He was a fan of Prince's music, too, and to this day I cannot listen to that "artist."
Posted by: phil | Nov 15, 2006 10:27:29 AM
For the Catholic church, this is progress! Oy.
I am interested to see how this plays out. Another issue that this meeting is going iron out is to allow priests to marry.
What I know from my sources in the local diocese are that over 40% of priests are confirmed gay. They hope that the vow of celbacy will protect them, and look to serving God above all else as a way to hide their homosexuality.
If they now enable priests to marry, imagine the "Oh Fuck! You mean I need a beard in Church!?" conflicts! It's gonna be a ROLICKING good time to watch!
Posted by: Rad | Nov 15, 2006 10:28:27 AM
What do you expect from a bunch of closet cases who can't deal with their own sexuality?
Posted by: ken | Nov 15, 2006 10:40:55 AM
Don't they ever make any sense?
I mean, priests have plenty of (gay) sex and none of them are going to hell, right?
Posted by: Steven. | Nov 15, 2006 10:45:10 AM
from Americablog:
"Then again, in all fairness, it did take the Catholic church leadership until 1992 or so to exonerate Galileo for the high crime of claiming that the earth was not in fact the center of the universe (seriously)."
ha,ha... I thought that was too funny...
Posted by: Greg | Nov 15, 2006 10:45:36 AM
I have a serious question to any gay or lesbian person who continues to call themselves "Catholic." I'm genuinely interested; it's not an attempt at argument. My question is this: Why continue to adhere to this church, given their repeated insults to you as and what you are? Look, I understand not wanting to switch to Buddhism or something totally different, but there are plenty of Christian churches (well, not plenty, but some) that are welcoming and affirming of our sexuality. They essentially preach the same faith, with relatively minor tweaks around the edges. What is it that keeps you tethered to a church that devalues you so?
Posted by: Glenn | Nov 15, 2006 10:47:07 AM
What a bunch of crazy mofos. I listened to a Q&A last year with a bishop from a nearby diocese and group of teenagers. In response to the question "Why can't women be priests?," the Bishop responded that "there are just some things that the Bible says that we can't change." It was pretty much the most condescending question-dodge I'd ever heard. Were the kids not compliant youth group members, I'm guessing the follow up question would have been "Where in the Bible does it say women can't be priests?"
Posted by: burnssuit | Nov 15, 2006 10:47:34 AM
I'm not Catholic, nor any other denomination beyond the "Church of Peace and Love" (my own New Age thing...), however, I always admired Catholicism for its mechanics of redemption. A few "Our Father's and Hail Mary's"... and the record if clear. That's so convenient.
Posted by: CaliNexus | Nov 15, 2006 10:54:01 AM
Saying that homosexuality is not a choice, and saying that homosexual act is not natural... isn't this two sets of standard? I think the Roman Catholic is having Schziphorenia! They probably need a shrink to cure them... a gay doc might be nice! :D
Posted by: Bryan | Nov 15, 2006 10:58:20 AM
Why would a gay remain Catholic? It's all that pomp and circumstance. The same reason why so many 'Mo's are Evangelical pastors. It's all about being on that stage, girl!
But seriously, because being a priest cannot fulfill the natural end of human sexuality it should never be morally acceptable. Such a vow does not lead to true human happiness."
Posted by: mark m | Nov 15, 2006 11:04:56 AM
Who the hell are these tired old queens projecting their frustrations on the rest of the world? Have they no sense of shame?
Posted by: sam | Nov 15, 2006 11:17:33 AM
"I have a serious question to any gay or lesbian person who continues to call themselves "Catholic." I'm genuinely interested; it's not an attempt at argument. My question is this: Why continue to adhere to this church, given their repeated insults to you as and what you are?"
For me, it's kinda like having a kid. Sure, your kid may do some pretty stupid stuff now and then, but it's probably just because they need some time to know better and it doesn't make you love them any less. No one is ever going to believe everything that the institution of their church tells them unless they start it themselves or follow blindly. The church also teaches us that all sins are equal in the eyes of God. So if I wasn't being gay in the Catholic church, I would be sinning by believing that faith alone cannot save you in a protestant church. It's not about being in a church where everything you believe is represented up on the altar - it's about being in a place that you feel at home, where you grew up, and having the ability to think for yourself. Lastly, yes, there are several Christian churches that are more accepting of gays, but they really are nothing like the Catholic church in terms of ritual, tradition, etc. There's so much about the Catholic church that makes me feel happy that being gay (which is just one part of who I am; it doesn't define me as a person) can't and won't make me throw that all out the window. It isn't out of self-loathing, to be sure.
Lastly, I'm surprised that so many people here are so eager to condemn gay Catholics. It's completely understandable if you disagree with the church and choose not to be a part, but it would seem like a group of people who should be keenly in tune with social justice should respect other people's decisions of religious affiliation without passing judgement.
Posted by: Andy | Nov 15, 2006 11:27:10 AM