The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland will not actively campaign against a statewide referendum seeking to legalize same-sex marriage but instead will focus on teaching parishioners about the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman, the bishop announced Friday.
More than two years ago, Maine voters rejected gay marriage in a statewide vote, 53 percent to 47 percent, after it had been passed by the Legislature and signed by then-Gov. John Baldacci. During the 2009 successful referendum to repeal same-sex marriage, the church gave $500,000 and lent its public policy director full time to the campaign.
bangordailynews.com/2012/03/02/news/state/portland-bishop-says-catholic-church-wont-actively-campaign-against-gay-marriage/“We’re going to be involved in the issue and vigorously, but in a much different way than we were the last time around,” Malone said in an interview last month in Bangor. “My main thrust is going to be to take my role as the chief teacher of the diocese seriously and to try more effectively to teach and inform Catholic people about our teaching on the nature of marriage and why marriage is the union of one man and one woman — not as an attack on gay people but to say what marriage is, both from what we know from natural law and God’s revelation in Scripture.”
“dissenting Catholics” are Catholics anymore?bangordailynews.com/2012/03/02/news/state/portland-bishop-says-catholic-church-wont-actively-campaign-against-gay-marriage/
I guess I am not too surprised. Bishop Malone had a high profile role in the successful 2009 drive to overturn the same-sex marriage law. However, he later described the campaign as “brutal.” He said the worst part was the “onslaught by dissenting Catholics” who publicly challenged his leadership in meetings and in newspaper ads.
Thank you for saying this. I have previously encouraged prayer on his behalf. I think all bishops and priests need it, especially when confronting controversial public issues.Telling my Lord Bishop to grow a spine will hardly help. Praying for him will.
I’m glad to hear this, but he will still be attacked by God’s enemies sitting in the pews who are Democrats first and Catholics second. Some bishops have already said the HHS mandate is lining up to be a liberal vs a conservative issue and this will be no different.My main thrust is going to be to take my role as the chief teacher of the diocese seriously and to try more effectively to teach and inform Catholic people about our teaching on the nature of marriage and why marriage is the union of one man and one woman — not as an attack on gay people but to say what marriage is, both from what we know from natural law and God’s revelation in Scripture.”
Likewise, those who do go to church, **but **do not hear doctrine from their priest and are awash in a sea of apathy, will not defend it either.The less you attend church, the less you defend marriage. Nobody goes to church, nobody defends marriage.
I agree, but it turns out that this division is largely along the lines of those who are observant and those who are not. It doesn’t have much to do with one’s professed faith as much as it does in one’s observance and piety. The culture of death loves to blur the difference between church going catholics and cultural catholics who really are agnostics.but do not hear doctrine from their priest and are awash in a sea of apathy, will not defend it either.
It takes a spine to live a life full of celibacy and joyful service to a diverse group of people, which most of the armchair commentators aren’t leading. Even Peter, our first Pope, struggled with the approval of others.Telling my Lord Bishop to grow a spine will hardly help. Praying for him will.
I agree wholeheartedly. But there is one thing that really worries me…Thank you for saying this. I have previously encouraged prayer on his behalf. I think all bishops and priests need it, especially when confronting controversial public issues.
It seems to be a sensible approach. If groups of dissenting Catholics are confusing the laity, its time to reinforce Church teaching and dispel the confusion.I like this Bishop. Morality starts inside the Church.
Can you tell the difference between a sheep and a wolf in sheep’s clothing?Once Catholic, always Catholic. Doesn’t mean they’re good Catholics, but they’re still Catholics.
Yes, that is a real fear.I agree wholeheartedly. But there is one thing that really worries me…
Isn’t the next step of these dissident Catholics to force homosexual marriages, foist them if you will, on the Church of Rome? And, again what worries me, if the Church denies them, as it will, will it lose its tax exempt status for making political opinions/statements?
TBH–that is why I am so opposed to homosexual marriage. I could care less what they do civilly, but my gut tells me that this movement is intent on the Church bending to their will. Even worse than losing its tax exempt status, what if the Church refuses, and then the dissidents can sue it for descrimination?
Not to hijack the subject…I think this comment fits in with this article about the bishop’s position.