Religious Leaders Call for Civil Disobedience if Laws Don’t Respect Faith

[JReducation]

Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., just informed the city council that, rather than recognize homosexual marriages and provide gays the rights and benefits of married couples, he will shut down all Catholic social institutions and let the city take them over. Civil disobedience may be in order here.

humanevents.com/article.php?id=34595

Archbishop Wuerl told them this earlier. But the report in this link does not give the full story. The reason that they may have to close is that the city has threatened to fine any agency that denies adoption to same-sex couples, any agency that denies medical benefits to same-sex couples, any agency that restricts hiring of people based on sexual practice.

The Archdiocese has always served the needs of gay people. Poor people who need help from Catholic social service agencies are not asked for their sexual orientation. Gay people who work for the Archdiocese have never been asked about their sexual orientation. They are hired based on their skills. The children of gay people have always been welcome in Catholic schools. Children are not punished for the sins of the parents.

But when people are publicly married and their gay relationship comes to the knowledge of the Archdiocese, then the Archdiocese cannot grant them the same benefits that they grant to married people. The District of Columbia insists that gay couples must be given the same benefits and services as married men and women. This is the whole issue. It’s not about homosexuality. It’s about the definition of marriage and the District’s demand that private, non-profit agencies accept its definition of marriage.

The Archdiocese cannot disobey, because they will be financially ruined. If they stay in business, they will have to pay daily fines. Their only choice is to close all of its operations.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[kimmielittle]

Archbishop Wuerl told them this earlier. But the report in this link does not give the full story. The reason that they may have to close is that the city has threatened to fine any agency that denies adoption to same-sex couples, any agency that denies medical benefits to same-sex couples, any agency that restricts hiring of people based on sexual practice.

The Archdiocese has always served the needs of gay people. Poor people who need help from Catholic social service agencies are not asked for their sexual orientation. Gay people who work for the Archdiocese have never been asked about their sexual orientation. They are hired based on their skills. The children of gay people have always been welcome in Catholic schools. Children are not punished for the sins of the parents.

But when people are publicly married and their gay relationship comes to the knowledge of the Archdiocese, then the Archdiocese cannot grant them the same benefits that they grant to married people. The District of Columbia insists that gay couples must be given the same benefits and services as married men and women. This is the whole issue. It’s not about homosexuality. It’s about the definition of marriage and the District’s demand that private, non-profit agencies accept its definition of marriage.

The Archdiocese cannot disobey, because they will be financially ruined. If they stay in business, they will have to pay daily fines. Their only choice is to close all of its operations.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Well Said in BOTH posts!!!