Bishop Henry Under Fire

[HagiaSophia]

Bishop Frederick Henry of Calgary, Alberta, has told a Canadian newspaper that he is “amazed” by the hostile responses he has received since issuing a pastoral letter in which he denounced homosexual activity.

“You should see some of the hate mail I’m getting right now,” Bishop Henry told the Globe and Mail .

According to the Globe and Mail, the most virulent criticism of the bishop was touched off by his statement that the government should “use its coercive power to proscribe or curtail” certain sexual activities, “in the interests of the common good.” Gay activists were outraged that the bishop listed homosexual acts along with prostitution and pornography as behavior the state should restrict.

Bishop Henry held to that position, however, telling the newspaper that homosexual activity, like prostitution and pornography, undermines marriage and family life. He conceded that his reference to the “coercive power” of the state had prompted misunderstandings, but explained that he was referring to state endorsement of homosexual activities rather than “a bedroom police force.”

cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=34715

 

[fix]

Was the hate mail from any of the posters on this site?

 

[Brad]

fix:

Was the hate mail from any of the posters on this site?

Good point.

 

[Shoshana]

fix:

Was the hate mail from any of the posters on this site?

Not from me I say. Bishop Henry is a good friend of my spiritual director and I am proud to know him! You go, Your Excellency, and be reassured of our prayers! smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/17/17_1_10.gif

Our own Bishop, Bishop James Wingle is having the whole diocese write to our wonderful government smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_2_10.gif against same-sex marriage. And that in our own language…

And anyway, why would such a question be asked???

Blessings,
Shoshana

 

[Shoshana]

Brad:

Good point.

You and fix are the epitome of true Catholicism…not…

 

[JKirkLVNV]

God bless the bishops of Christ’s Church who will stand fearlessly for truth. They are brave men.

 

[dts]

See the all out attack on the Bishop and the Church on one of the leading Homosexual websites.

Purging toxic religion in Canada
Gay marriage exposes faith-based bigotry

By Kevin Bourassa and Joe Varnell

samesexmarriage.ca/equality/toxic180105.htm

 

[Isidore_AK]

Everyone here should voice our support of this holy man. Please e-mail him and thank him for his stand. The Bishops who do right should get encouragement from all.

Please send him your thanks.

And pray for him…

 

[Lisa4Catholics]

Isidore_AK:

Everyone here should voice our support of this holy man. Please e-mail him and thank him for his stand. The Bishops who do right should get encouragement from all.

Please send him your thanks.

And pray for him…

That is a good idea I just wish the groups that are so offended would recognise that the Good Bishop is also responsible for informing souls of truths,because he surely can not condon behavior that can put you in hell.He tells the truth out of love not to step on toes.God Bless

 

[Dave]

Toronto Archbishop Cardinal Ambroziac speaks out today:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=412984#post412984

 

[Shoshana]

December 9, 2004

Statement by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on the Decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in the Reference on Marriage

1.  The members of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) welcome the strong affirmation by the Supreme Court of Canada today in its decision on the marriage reference in which it indicates that “The protection of freedom of religion afforded by s. 2(a) of the Charter is broad and jealously guarded in our Charter jurisprudence” (paragraph 53). We are pleased that religious officials are protected “from being compelled by the state to perform civil or religious same-sex marriages that are contrary to their religious beliefs” (paragraph 60), and that this judgment confirms that freedom of religion also prevents “the compulsory use of sacred places for the celebration of such marriages” (paragraph 59).

2.  The Catholic Church will continue to celebrate the sacrament of marriage as the union of a man and a woman. We expect freedom of conscience and religion to be respected by federal, provincial and territorial governments, so that no one is compelled to act contrary to his or her beliefs.

3.  We note that the Supreme Court did not address the fourth question regarding the opposite-sex requirement of marriage, thus inviting Parliament to decide.

4.  We continue to affirm that marriage is a loving, life-giving partnership between a man and a woman. Its purpose is the good of the couple and the procreation and education of children – and thus necessary for the survival of society. As the committed and stable relationship of a man and a woman, marriage is basic to the stability of society and family life. In so far as it is a social institution, marriage is concerned with the common good, not individual rights.

5.  The forum for discussion now moves from the courts to Parliament where the government has promised to introduce legislation. We urge Members of Parliament to have a full, informed and vigorous debate on this issue, and we ask there be a free vote so that all members may vote according to their conscience.

6.  As pastoral leaders of the Catholic community in Canada, we intend to be part of this debate. We encourage all Canadians to participate in the forthcoming debate in any way that they can and to make their views known to their representatives in the House of Commons and Senate. In particular, we call on lay Catholics, especially those who have the experience of marriage, to play an active role in this debate. It is vital that Canadians take the time to have a wide-ranging dialogue on this foundational institution in which the next generation is created and nurtured.

9 December 2004

 

[fix]

Shoshana:

You and fix are the epitome of true Catholicism…not…

You are unfamiliar with sarcasm? Apparently, your quip is reasonable, but not mine?

 

[Shoshana]

fix:

You are unfamiliar with sarcasm? Apparently, your quip is reasonable, but not mine?

Fix, why would you use sarcasm??? Just for the sake of doing so (???) or to denigrade someone…please inform me of your motivation…

I took your statement that there might somebody on this forum who would send criticism to Bishop Henry…why would you even think that? There has been nobody who has even said a negative word towards Bishop Henryup until this time on this forum…so why be sarcastic?

 

[fix]

Shoshana:

Fix, why would you use sarcasm??? Just for the sake of doing so (???) or to denigrade someone…please inform me of your motivation…

I took your statement that there might somebody on this forum who would send criticism to Bishop Henry…why would you even think that? There has been nobody who has even said a negative word towards Bishop Henryup until this time on this forum…so why be sarcastic?

If you have read many posts you would have gotten my drift. Are you saying there are not a fair number of posters who have claimed that accepting the Church teaching on homsexual conduct is intolerant? This good bishop is receiving some negative letters the same way some posters here claim standing for the truth is mean and anti Christian. It is not a big leap to grasp it.

Did I use sarcasm, yes. Did you use sarcasm in referring to Brad and I, yes. Is sarcasm always a bad thing, no.

 

[ToddC]

fix:

If you have read many posts you would have gotten my drift. Are you saying there are not a fair number of posters who have claimed that accepting the Church teaching on homsexual conduct is intolerant? This good bishop is receiving some negative letters the same way some posters here claim standing for the truth is mean and anti Christian. It is not a big leap to grasp it.

Did I use sarcasm, yes. Did you use sarcasm in referring to Brad and I, yes. Is sarcasm always a bad thing, no.

For those of us who are not regular contributors, your comment could have been taken literally. I know I did. I suppose this topic is very hot, and there really isn’t room to kid around because you will be taken seriously. Also, since words don’t convey the total meaning of someone’s communication, i.e. lacking a spoken voice, it is difficult to convey sarcasm.

I don’t mean any offense, fix; just giving you some perspective from an internet user who is not that savvy at using the internet.

 

[HagiaSophia]

fix:

If you have read many posts you would have gotten my drift. .

Having read some of the other threads I’d like you to know I got it - immediately. I also suspect you may have been more right than you know.

 

[_Joshua]

HagiaSophia:

Bishop Frederick Henry of Calgary, Alberta, has told a Canadian newspaper that he is “amazed” by the hostile responses he has received since issuing a pastoral letter in which he denounced homosexual activity.

God Bless you Bishop, we need more God fearing preaches to speak up, not to condemn the sinner, but the sin.

He gets my vote

 

[Cradle]

And the worst are the so-called Catholics who shoot down our Bishops and Cardinals… That other article with the lady saying “You can’t cherry pick the Charter.” Pfft. You can’t cherry pick Church doctrine.

We gotta support those who speak up… Where can I find Bishop Frederick Henry’s email?

 

[Shoshana]

Cradle:

And the worst are the so-called Catholics who shoot down our Bishops and Cardinals… That other article with the lady saying “You can’t cherry pick the Charter.” Pfft. You can’t cherry pick Church doctrine.

We gotta support those who speak up… Where can I find Bishop Frederick Henry’s email?

Hi Cradle,

Here is his diocese’s link:

rcdiocese-calgary.ab.ca
Blessings,
Shoshana

 

[Shoshana]

fix:

If you have read many posts you would have gotten my drift.

Fix…I really have not read a lot of your posts…

Are you saying there are not a fair number of posters who have claimed that accepting the Church teaching on homsexual conduct is intolerant?

To be honest with you I have never been part of any thread on this topic…so, I suppose this is my bad…forgive me.

This good bishop is receiving some negative letters the same way some posters here claim standing for the truth is mean and anti Christian. It is not a big leap to grasp it.

Well, call me dumb and…dumber…I do not pretend to be in the smarts of things. But I do know that I am Roman Catholic with all of its implications. I love the Faith and will continue to defend it. But, there are those who do that job so much better than me…

Did I use sarcasm, yes. Did you use sarcasm in referring to Brad and I, yes.

Sorry…

Is sarcasm always a bad thing, no

Blessings,
Shoshana
.