Invasion of the body (soul) snatchers?

[contemplative]

The problem is I am not sure how to react to this ongoing situation.
I live in an extremely liberal diocese lead by an even more liberal bishop.
My Catholic parents have acquired a very liberal attitude about accepting homosexual lifestyles. Their son ( my brother ) is in a relationship with another man and this doesn’t bother my parents at all. If I discuss homosexuality, Catholic Church and my brother all in one sentence, my parents become quite defensive. They are quite pleased with the liberal attitude the Catholic Church around here is displaying.
I am beginning to feel like I am living in real time The Invasion of the Body Snatchers and I am one of the few unsnatched bodies left running around.
I have been praying that our new pope will fix everything soon but the more time goes by I don’t think it will happen.
Is anyone else experiencing these mixed feelings and how do you deal with them?

 

[Karen_Anne]

contemplative:

The problem is I am not sure how to react to this ongoing situation.
I live in an extremely liberal diocese lead by an even more liberal bishop.
My Catholic parents have acquired a very liberal attitude about accepting homosexual lifestyles. Their son ( my brother ) is in a relationship with another man and this doesn’t bother my parents at all. If I discuss homosexuality, Catholic Church and my brother all in one sentence, my parents become quite defensive. They are quite pleased with the liberal attitude the Catholic Church around here is displaying.
I am beginning to feel like I am living in real time The Invasion of the Body Snatchers and I am one of the few unsnatched bodies left running around.
I have been praying that our new pope will fix everything soon but the more time goes by I don’t think it will happen.
Is anyone else experiencing these mixed feelings and how do you deal with them?

I cannot speak for another, but as a parent I know how hard it is to hear anything negative about one’s child; especially something that you have very little or no control over. While I understand your frustration too, have patience with your parents - it is impossible to know what they are going through.

Karen Anne

 

[contemplative]

Karen Anne:

I cannot speak for another, but as a parent I know how hard it is to hear anything negative about one’s child; especially something that you have very little or no control over. While I understand your frustration too, have patience with your parents - it is impossible to know what they are going through.

Karen Anne

I know this may be difficult for my parents but the way they fluant my brother’s life style to their other children and even grandchildren is inexcusable. We could all benefit from not hearing about the homosexual’s latest vacation or home remodeling project.

When I was kid I didn’t have to deal with Uncle Joe and his male lover…no such thing. Today it seems that our children are exposed to so much crud and we all are being forced to deal with it…even without the help of bishops, priests and parents.

The situation seems to be turning more and more grave.

 

[Karen_Anne]

contemplative:

I know this may be difficult for my parents but the way they fluant my brother’s life style to their other children and even grandchildren is inexcusable. We could all benefit from not hearing about the homosexual’s latest vacation or home remodeling project.

When I was kid I didn’t have to deal with Uncle Joe and his male lover…no such thing. Today it seems that our children are exposed to so much crud and we all are being forced to deal with it…even without the help of bishops, priests and parents.

The situation seems to be turning more and more grave.

Do you see your brother as a person/your brother FIRST or do you see him as a homosexual FIRST? Your comment that “We could all benefit from not hearing about the homosexual’s latest vacation or home remodeling project” indicates that it is the latter. If this is true, then you should look inward on how YOU can bring about a POSSITIVE change in the situation. Until you become your parents (which will never happen) you must be careful about judging their pride in their children - and that includes you! I know there are an awful lot of challenges for you and your family right now and you all will be in my prayers.

Karen Anne

 

[contemplative]

The whole homosexual view I am getting goes way beyond my family boundaries. It is openly displayed in school curriculum, school faculty, students, malls, shops, television, government, business, communities big & small and now even church. This whole homosexual business wasn’t a concern in this way a generations ago. It all seems so weird to have it even tainting the very parents who raised us from birth.

 

[Karen_Anne]

contemplative:

The whole homosexual view I am getting goes way beyond my family boundaries. It is openly displayed in school curriculum, school faculty, students, malls, shops, television, government, business, communities big & small and now even church. This whole homosexual business wasn’t a concern in this way a generations ago. It all seems so weird to have it even tainting the very parents who raised us from birth.

Oh you are sooooo right about schools etc…

I want you to know too that I DO sympathise with you and your situation and my prayers are with you all. All I can say is try to love your WHOLE family with the love of Christ and pray for guidence when dealing directly with the issue. Have you actually spoken to your family about your discomfort? If it continues to be an issue (with no apparent compromise) then you may need to draw the line and limit your contact. However, I would only use this as a VERY LAST RESORT. Try to remember that we are ALL sinners and we walk a very thin line when we become too concerned with the sin of another to the point that it blinds us to the love and compassion we should feel and act on for ALL sinners.

Karen Anne

 

[Giannawannabe]

Contemplative,

I was just wondering how your parent’s are “flaunting” your brother’s lifestyle. I think it’s entirely acceptable to not attend functions at your parents’ home if this type of thing is going on. If your brother bringing his lover to functions appears innocent (i.e. no hand holding, kissing, talk about being gay, etc), then little children might not notice. However, older children will definitely notice no matter how your brother and his lover act and might interpret attending these types of family functions as acceptance and normalization of your brother’s lifestyle.

They are your children and you should protect them from what you think is damaging to their souls. It appears that your parents may be angry with you for not coming to things when your brother and lover are there. It’s probably best to just excuse yourself politely from these functions and not make a big deal about preaching your position to them.

Also, pray for your parents and your brother and his lover. Offer your frustrations up for their intentions. I will pray for you as you struggle with this difficult issue.

God Bless
Giannawannabe

 

[puzzleannie]

contemplative:

TheI have been praying that our new pope will fix everything soon but the more time goes by I don’t think it will happen.
Is anyone else experiencing these mixed feelings and how do you deal with them?

the pope cannot fix the damage caused by individual’s sinful, destructive risk-taking choices, we still have free will no matter who is pope. He does have control on appointment of bishops, and it remains to be seen how long it will take him to remove the shepherds who have been feeding their flocks to the wolves. However those Catholics who insist on rejecting Church teaching will continue to do so no matter who their bishop is, they will just be more vocal in criticizing their new orthodox bishop when he challenges them.