Atlanta archbishop responds to U.S. Supreme Court decision

[ringil]

I’m still unclear if the Archbishop opposes the ruling or if he is even going to fight or protest against it.

It seems the vast majority of his statement was simply a warning to Catholics to make sure they remain “polite” and “nice”. A non-Catholic reading that might not even be aware that the Church views it as a grave sin.

The Bishops must feel it Is necessary to remind the faithful to remain charitable, even facing those individuals whose policies they oppose.

Looking around CAF I can see how they would feel the need to make such a reminder.

 

[JimG]

The statement from the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was charitable, but it did at least include this:

“Mandating marriage redefinition across the country is a tragic error that harms the common good and most vulnerable among us, especially children.”

and this:

“Today the Court is wrong again. It is profoundly immoral and unjust for the government to declare that two people of the same sex can constitute a marriage.”

Source:
usccb.org/news/2015/15-103.cfm

 

[esieffe]

The Archbishop wasn’t talking about being politically correct. He was teaching that we don’t want to lose our souls while trying to convert others. ie - lets not sin while trying to express the immorality of others’ actions. Let’s defend our Faith with losing our souls, because the evil one wants us to get defensive and subject ourselves to hate, anger and rage.

God Bless

Well said.

 

[esieffe]

The Bishops must feel it Is necessary to remind the faithful to remain charitable, even facing those individuals whose policies they oppose.

Looking around CAF I can see how they would feel the need to make such a reminder.

No kidding…

 

[JimG]

Certainly we can defend our faith, and more importantly, defend marriage, without losing our souls for lack of charity. But charity is not the opposite of clarity, nor does it make clarity unnecessary. There is not a thing uncharitable in stating that the SCOTUS decision was a tragic error, as was made clear in the quite charitable USCCB statement.

 

[esieffe]

I’m still unclear if the Archbishop opposes the ruling or if he is even going to fight or protest against it.

It seems the vast majority of his statement was simply a warning to Catholics to make sure they remain “polite” and “nice”. A non-Catholic reading that might not even be aware that the Church views it as a grave sin.

He does not support GM. The same message is being repeated in parishes around the Arch-Diocese. It is entirely possible to reiterate doctrine and still be respectful and charitable about it. That is just how I view things. The Church gives me the structure and discipline I need, without all the negativity.

 

[zamyrabyrd]

I’m still unclear if the Archbishop opposes the ruling or if he is even going to fight or protest against it.

It seems the vast majority of his statement was simply a warning to Catholics to make sure they remain “polite” and “nice”. A non-Catholic reading that might not even be aware that the Church views it as a grave sin.

Ever notice how the politeness and loving while defending the dignity of those we don’t agree with seems to go only one way? The other side can defame the Bible and Christianity while no one says boo. There is a reason for it, however. And the same tactic is used to whitewash the violent aspects of Islam. Our niceness, our tolerance, our accommodating attitudes are being used against us to the point where it has become self-destructive.

We have to go out of our way to show how good we are while the other side racks up more points and claims more territory. Consider how this has transpired with the Boy Scout movement. First it was not discriminate against those nice, but effeminate boys. When the Supreme Court put their imprimatur on gay marriage, how could not follow that those nice gay men could not lead scout packs? Someone forgot down the line that men who are normally attracted to women are not put in charge of young girls in summer camps. But see, what we all get by being overly nice???

 

[MaryT777]

Ever notice how the politeness and loving while defending the dignity of those we don’t agree with seems to go only one way? The other side can defame the Bible and Christianity while no one says boo. There is a reason for it, however. And the same tactic is used to whitewash the violent aspects of Islam. Our niceness, our tolerance, our accommodating attitudes are being used against us to the point where it has become self-destructive.

We have to go out of our way to show how good we are while the other side racks up more points and claims more territory. Consider how this has transpired with the Boy Scout movement. First it was not discriminate against those nice, but effeminate boys. When the Supreme Court put their imprimatur on gay marriage, how could not follow that those nice gay men could not lead scout packs? Someone forgot down the line that men who are normally attracted to women are not put in charge of young girls in summer camps. But see, what we all get by being overly nice???

Excellent point.
Mary.

 

[Seamus_L]

In this day and age, if Bishops don’t periodically reiterate the Church’s teaching on certain controversial topics, the confusion that stems from unclear statements only leads to more and more people believing that one day the Church will sanction same sex marriage, allow contraception and divorce, ordain women to the priesthood, etc.

 

[zz912]

Ever notice how the politeness and loving while defending the dignity of those we don’t agree with seems to go only one way? The other side can defame the Bible and Christianity while no one says boo. There is a reason for it, however. And the same tactic is used to whitewash the violent aspects of Islam. Our niceness, our tolerance, our accommodating attitudes are being used against us to the point where it has become self-destructive.

We have to go out of our way to show how good we are while the other side racks up more points and claims more territory. Consider how this has transpired with the Boy Scout movement. First it was not discriminate against those nice, but effeminate boys. When the Supreme Court put their imprimatur on gay marriage, how could not follow that those nice gay men could not lead scout packs? Someone forgot down the line that men who are normally attracted to women are not put in charge of young girls in summer camps. But see, what we all get by being overly nice???

Jesus and Sts Peter and Paul would be yelled at for not being “nice” today.

 

[zz912]

He does not support GM. The same message is being repeated in parishes around the Arch-Diocese. It is entirely possible to reiterate doctrine and still be respectful and charitable about it. That is just how I view things. The Church gives me the structure and discipline I need, without all the negativity.

I read again twice, and I don’t find anywhere in there where the Archbishop actually said the decision was wrong.

 

[pnewton]

Statements from Catholic hierarchs continue to sound more and more unclear.

If there was something in the statement that is unclear, specify what is confusing and I am sure we can clear it up. I found it rather straight forward.

Dolan, how can you say that?

He didn’t. That was Seamus. Cardinal Dolan does not know “us”, so he could not confuse us with Westboro BC.

 

[Mike_Dye]

So many recent comments makes wonder if St. Michael was a big “meany” when he confronted the devil.

 

[KD8TZC]

I thought our Arch Bishop made a very poignant response.

Amen!!

 

[pnewton]

So many recent comments makes wonder if St. Michael was a big “meany” when he confronted the devil.

Satan is the enemy. The people we deal with are his victims.

 

[zamyrabyrd]

Satan is the enemy. The people we deal with are his victims.

Right, it is fair to warn them that this is serious business and where they are going if they continue on the slippery slope.

 

[zz912]

If there was something in the statement that is unclear, specify what is confusing and I am sure we can clear it up. I found it rather straight forward.

Could you point out where the Archbishop said the decision was wrong, evil, dangerous? How about any descriptor of it being a grave danger to the souls of millions? Anything to note the decision was evil?

 

[Thomas_White]

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone…” (John 8:7)

 

[JimG]

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone…” (John 8:7)

I don’t think that this means either that (a) it is uncharitable to clearly teach right from wrong, or (b) to point out wrong actions which are a danger to persons and society.

 

[Seamus_L]

It is quite common for children who have been told that something is wrong when they’re 8 years old, to conclude that it may now be OK at age 10, because their parents haven’t mentioned it in 2 years. So it is also with teaching on homosexual acts being gravely sinful.