I guess the wording “gay and lesbian” seems condoning to me. Im my experience the church has usually used wording like homosexual tendencies. The word gay/lesbian, to me at least, implies a lifestyle. Maybe I’m reading too much into this?The Diocesan Ministry for Gay and Lesbian Catholics will celebrate its 15th Annual Mass for Gay and Lesbian Catholics and their Friends and Families at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 507 South Tryon Street.
Where do you see that a Mass is being offered for practicing homosexuals?
Active in what way??? What makes you think they are having sex??? I suppose you could stand at the door and poll them as they walk through? Stop those who admit to being a practicing homosexual??I saw something in my parish bulletin advertising a ministry at another parish in my diocese and it caught me off guard. I understand that people with homosexual tendencies need support to overcome and to live a chaste christian life, but it seems as this is directed at active gays/lesbians… am i missing something? And offering a mass for practicing homosexuals??
stpeterscatholic.org/gay_lesbian_ministry
You would be preaching to the choir if they have overcome these tendencies and are living chaste, yes. I see no problem with offering support for people who are struggling with this sin. My problem is just with the wording of gay and lesbian. It seems to imply a lifestyle. Do people who have homosexual tendencies and are seeking full communion with the church by living chaste want to be labeled as “gay”?Active in what way??? What makes you think they are having sex??? I suppose you could stand at the door and poll them as they walk through? Stop those who admit to being a practicing homosexual??
Besides, If you’re going to offer support to gays/lesbians who have already overcome their “homosexual tendencies” and are now living chaste lives, you’re sort of preaching to the choir, no?
Isn’t church for sinners? All sinners?
The “Mission Statement” reads:We promote and foster wholistic spirituality that is inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and grounded in the Catholic moral and social justice tradition. We encourage pastoral care with lesbian and gay persons and their families. We support the human dignity and human rights of lesbian and gay persons, and affirm that all who are baptized are called to full participation in the life, worship and mission of the church. We have days of reflection, prayer, and service outreach to the wider community.
This is what I was thinking when I read this. It just seems to me there is an agenda that is being promoted here and I’m wondering how this can be allowed? Surely the bishop should know about this? I know that we are all sinners and that people with same-sex attractions need Jesus and the church as well, but I am worried that practicing homosexuals will see this and think “oh, here is a catholic church who will accept our lifestyle and is even encouraging us to receive communion!”
I think you are reading too much into it. I consider myself a bisexual even though I do not practice same-sex sexual activities. When I refer to myself as a bisexual I am referring to my attractions. It is simply a more modern definition of the terms. As time goes by the meanings of terms change. The modern meaning of these words, culturally at least, refer to attraction and not necessarily practice.
That’s what the ambiguity is for. I don’t know much about Jugis, but if it makes you feel better, why not do a little spying on this organization and look up everything you can about it on the internet, about the people in charge of it, stop by and observe what goes on in that mass, and so on. If you suspect the group is out of line, write up a report and send it to the bishop along with a DVD of what you witnessed.
Music, you don’t foster true happiness by mincing words.
I’ve written to Bishop Jugis about this. I think the main reason the ‘celebration’ is once again being held is it’s support by the former bishop who still lives in the diocese - not a very good idea for a retired bishop to do, and especially damaging in this instance.
I’m so glad I’m not a bishop. Nevertheless, it’s Jugis’ problem now.
Did you receive a response from the bishop? I’m glad somebody has pointed this out.