Portland Archdiocese joins anti-gay marriage effort; lay group plans Ash Wednesday action

[_Abyssinia]

Since Pope Francis began his reign as the head of the Catholic Church a year ago, he’s sounded a more welcoming tone toward gays. But it hasn’t led to a change in church doctrine opposing same-sex marriage – and that’s reflected in the potential ballot fight over the issue in Oregon.

Portland Archbishop Alexander K. Sample told his pastoral staff last month that the Archdiocese of Portland and the Baker Diocese would join the coalition opposing the same-sex marriage initiative.

In a Feb. 12 memo, Sample directed his staff to “do whatever they can to help support this effort” and said that “it is my intention to commit the energies of the Church to help defeat this initiative and to uphold the uniqueness and sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman.”

Found via Fr Z’s blog. oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2014/03/portland_catholic_archdiocese.html

 

[MJE]

Prayers for Archbishop Sample, Bishop Liam Carey & the newly appointed aux. Bishop Peter Smith. These men are smack dab in the middle of the lions den.

koin.com/2014/03/04/portland-auxiliary-bishop-appointment-draws-criticism-snap/

 

[Ron_Obvious]

St. Michael, defend us in battle.