Be careful not to offend gay worshippers, Catholic priests warned

[Caveman]

From The Daily Mail of London;

Be careful not to offend gay worshippers, Catholic priests warned

Roman Catholic priests have been banned from using ‘heterosexist’ language in their churches in case they offend gay worshippers. They have been told by their bishops not to assume that every churchgoer is a heterosexual and to reflect this ‘in language and conversation’. ‘Remember that homophobic jokes and asides can be cruel and hurtful - a careless word can mean another experience of rejection and pain,’ say the bishops in a leaflet advising priests and worshippers how to be more welcoming to gay people.

Activists say any moves by the Catholic Church to be more tolerant of homosexuality are undermined by Pope Benedict XVI’s opposition to gay marriage. Priests are also encouraged to put up posters advertising ‘support services’ for homosexuals, a move bound to infuriate many Catholics who believe gay sexual activity to be sinful.

The advice was welcomed by gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell as a ‘positive initiative which will bring great comfort to gay Catholics and their families’. However, he said the ‘laudable change of tone’ was undermined by the ‘homophobic content of the Catholic Catechism’ and by Pope Benedict XVI’s opposition to gay marriage.

 

[wapsi]

Fact checking an article which appears in The Daily Mail is never a bad idea. They like to exaggerate in order to make a story more sensational. Here is a link to the document, which is relatively short:
www.everybodyswelcome.org.uk/docs/LPGaylesbian.doc

Roman Catholic priests have been banned from using ‘heterosexist’ language in their churches in case they offend gay worshippers.

Banned? That word seems an exaggeration. The document is informal and is aimed at the entire parish, not just at priests. Nor is it an instruction - its language is that of a suggestion. Indeed, the article closes with this statement:
“This leaflet is one of a series devised to assist parishes to become more welcoming, friendly and family-sensitive. For further information contact: Marriage and Family Life Project Office.” I think the key word in that ending is “assist”. The leaflet is not a directive.
The Daily Mail:

They have been told by their bishops not to assume that every churchgoer is a heterosexual and to reflect this ‘in language and conversation’. ‘Remember that homophobic jokes and asides can be cruel and hurtful - a careless word can mean another experience of rejection and pain,’ say the bishops in a leaflet advising priests and worshippers how to be more welcoming to gay people.

The leaflet does say those things, but, again, the document was published by the Marriage and Family Life Project. While that office is part of the bishops conference, there is nothing in the document to suggest that any bishop was involved in its production.
The Daily Mail:

Priests are also encouraged to put up posters advertising ‘support services’ for homosexuals, a move bound to infuriate many Catholics who believe gay sexual activity to be sinful.

The Daily Mail does seem interested to provoking a conflict. I would note that the document specifically says:
“Do not presume that all homosexual persons are sexually active.” Perhaps The Daily Mail should have kept that in mind, rather than ignoring it. There is nothing in the document which indicates “support services” involves green-lighting homosexual activity.

The document doesn’t come out and condemn homosexuality, but it does say: "Enable the parish to be informed about Church teachings and Catholic writing on the subject. Keep copies of documents in the parish library. " So I don’t think the leaflet is trying to cover up Church teaching on homosexuality.

 

[Steadfast_love]

I didn’t even have to fact check. I just recalled what the Catechism has to say on the matter and thought, “I bet if you wipe away all the sensationalism, it’s nothing more than a reminder to hold fast to Catholic teaching.”

 

[Dirk_Skene]

This whole thing is twisted. SInce when did The Church have to be P.C.? I know that things are out of hand. Here the Bishop himself has put his “blessing” so to speak on a group that supports homosexuallity as an “alternitive” life style.

Whatever happened to the group Courage? At least they were trying to do it right & get these folks help & support in getting out of such a pattern of behaviour.

 

[Scoobyshme]

As the late Servant of God, Archbishohp Fulton J. Sheen once said, *“Tolerance does not apply to truth or principles. About these things we must be intolerant, and for this kind of intolerance, so much needed to rouse us from sentimental gush, I make a plea. Intolerance of this kind is the foundation of stability.” *