Retired bishop on Boston gay pride Mass: ‘Has Cardinal O’Malley totally lost his marbles?’

[Fink]

Yelling across the room is what kids do. Adults have other options available them…

Sometimes, yelling across the room is the only option available to adults, as well; especially when our opponents are, themselves, acting like spoilt children.
If the Archdiocese of Boston had been true to its God-given mission, none of this would have happened.
Talk of Bishop Gracida`s creating a scandal is ironic: the Archdiocese had already created a scandal!

 

[irishpatrick]

If this Bishop is wrong to publicly criticize another Bishop then aren’t the posters here also guilty of the same thing when they criticize this Bishop?

I was just thinking the same think–deep hypocrisy.

 

[irishpatrick]

I think that any criticism of a priest or bishop (or brother or sister) must be framed with restraint and charity. However, I also think that low visibility persons such as us making a criticism is much different than a bishop publicly criticizing another bishop. That sort of thing undermines episcopal authority and the unity of the Church.

It undermines the Church when Catholics (clergy or lay people) keep their mouths shut when they see harmful actions taking place before their eyes.

 

[thebigbang]

I can’t believe that my own Archdiocese is allowing a “Gay Pride” mass at one of its own parishes. This is what’s happening to our church: it’s compromising its teachings for the sake of political correctness.

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

I guess it’s important to comment on the bishop’s statement, but shouldn’t the Body of Christ be infinitely more upset by the fact that one of Her members is about to show solidarity with the LGBT community? I thought sodomy was a sin that “cried out for the vengeance of heaven”.

When will this end?

Being a homosexual does not automatically mean one is engaged in sodomy…

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

If this Bishop is wrong to publicly criticize another Bishop then aren’t the posters here also guilty of the same thing when they criticize this Bishop?

Completely different situtations.

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

Father, the Red Mass has centuries of tradition. The “Gay Pride Mass” does not have any precedent and is more along the lines of marking something secular

Regardless of whether the Red Mass has centuries of tradition, it still technically violates what you quoted…

But as to this situation with the retired bishop, its dangerous because we face ending up in situations like the Anglican Church now faces where people/parishes proclaim allegiance to other bishops rather than their local Ordinary.

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

Sometimes, yelling across the room is the only option available to adults, as well; especially when our opponents are, themselves, acting like spoilt children.
If the Archdiocese of Boston had been true to its God-given mission, none of this would have happened.

Ah, so now Cardinal O’Malley is not being true to his God-given mission? That’s quite a charge and its this type of spinning out of control language that His Excellency has inadvertently put into motion.

Talk of Bishop Gracida`s creating a scandal is ironic: the Archdiocese had already created a scandal!

Scandal is all relative. Here in New England its no scandal…

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

I can’t believe that my own Archdiocese is allowing a “Gay Pride” mass at one of its own parishes. This is what’s happening to our church: it’s compromising its teachings for the sake of political correctness.

We’ll see if it happens again. Sometimes when things are already in motion its best to just let them play out and make sure it doesn’t happen again…

 

[Dale_M]

I can’t believe that my own Archdiocese is allowing a “Gay Pride” mass at one of its own parishes.

I am glad you don’t believe it, because it doesn’t seem to be true. Yes, the media keeps wanting to call the planned Mass as “gay pride.” However, if you read want the parish bulletin says, and listen to what the priest says, you will see it is a false description.

Here is from the church bulletin which originally announced the Mass planned for June:

“all are welcome” liturgy
The Rainbow Ministry of Saint Cecilia Parish invites all friends and supporters of the LGBT community to a Mass that will take place on Sunday evening, June 19, at six o’clock, with a reception following. The theme of the liturgy, “All Are Welcome,” honors Christ’s message of hope and salvation to all people. We will also celebrate the diverse community that finds its home at Saint Cecilia and acknowledge, in a special way, the generous and warm welcome extended to the members of the Jesuit Urban Center in 2007. The Mass will be celebrated by Father John and concelebrated by several of the priests who faithfully ministered at the Jesuit Urban Center for so many years. Please plan to attend this special liturgy and support the diversity that helps make Saint Cecilia such a special place.

stceciliaboston.org/bulletins/bulletin06122011.pdf

Here is how the priest, Fr. John Unni, describes his intention for this All Are Welcome liturgy:

“All we’re trying to do is welcome a group that has been marginalized,’’ he said.

“I think because sexuality is a part of this, it goes to the next level,’’ he said, reflecting on the current controversy. “I say: ‘Just come. I’m not going to stand in the way of your relationship with God.’ ’’

And Unni insists he’s not flouting church teachings.

“Jesus met people where they were at,’’ he said. “He went to them and reminded them who they were in God’s eyes.’’

articles.boston.com/2011-06-14/news/29657765_1_parishioners-annual-gay-pride-celebration-predominantly-gay-congregation

 

[benedictgal]

I am glad you don’t believe it, because it doesn’t seem to be true. Yes, the media keeps wanting to call the planned Mass as “gay pride.” However, if you read want the parish bulletin says, and listen to what the priest says, you will see it is a false description.

Here is from the church bulletin which originally announced the Mass planned for June:

stceciliaboston.org/bulletins/bulletin06122011.pdf

Here is how the priest, Fr. John Unni, describes his intention for this All Are Welcome liturgy:

articles.boston.com/2011-06-14/news/29657765_1_parishioners-annual-gay-pride-celebration-predominantly-gay-congregation

Jesus also told the woman whom the Pharisees brought to be stoned for committing adultery, “Go, but, from now on, avoid this sin.” While Jesus did spare her life, he also strongly admonished her to guard against the sinful acts she was committing.

 

[Niccolo]

I am glad you don’t believe it, because it doesn’t seem to be true. Yes, the media keeps wanting to call the planned Mass as “gay pride.” However, if you read want the parish bulletin says, and listen to what the priest says, you will see it is a false description.

Here is from the church bulletin which originally announced the Mass planned for June:

stceciliaboston.org/bulletins/bulletin06122011.pdf

Here is how the priest, Fr. John Unni, describes his intention for this All Are Welcome liturgy:

articles.boston.com/2011-06-14/news/29657765_1_parishioners-annual-gay-pride-celebration-predominantly-gay-congregation

From the archdiocese’s spokesman:

“I can tell you unequivocally: this Mass is not a celebration of gay pride week, month - it is the welcoming Mass for the homosexual community and the wider community.”

This is the problem. This is a Mass for the “homosexual community.” Do you think there will be anything mentioned in the homily about those struggling with same-sex attraction being called to live lives of chastity? There is a problem here when one identifies himself by the attraction to sin that he has. Should we have special Masses for fornicators? How about a Mass for users of contraception? A Mass for adulterers?

With a good deal of mental gymnastics one might be able to say that the Mass is for the person, not the sin. But if that is the case, why the need to identify this Mass as a Mass for the “homosexual community”? Why does St. Cecilia need a “rainbow ministry”? The wider society sees use of the rainbow as an affirmation of “gay pride,” and thus of support for a sinful lifestyle.

In the end, this Mass will have the effect of giving scandal to non-Catholics. Were I a resident of the diocese of Boston, I could hear it from my secular friends “Well the CARDINAL, a prince of the Church, an elector of the Pope, has said that there’s nothing wrong with identifying oneself as homosexual, they even had a Mass for them! And the Mass openly supported a homosexual lifestyle by doing nothing to condemn it, and even used LGBTQ symbols!”

This is hardly a good witness of the Truth to the world, and souls will be lost because of it.

 

[Dale_M]

This is the problem. This is a Mass for the “homosexual community.”

And also for the wider community, according to the quote of archdiocese spokesman you cited.

Do you think there will be anything mentioned in the homily about those struggling with same-sex attraction being called to live lives of chastity?

I don’t know, although I do think that is the main concern of persons who are upset about this impending Mass. Perhaps a polite letter to Fr. Unni and Cardinal O’Malley to encourage this mention would be a useful thing to do?

 

[Fink]

Ah, so now Cardinal O’Malley is not being true to his God-given mission? ***That’s quite a charge ***and its this type of spinning out of control language that His Excellency has inadvertently put into motion.

Maybe it is (quite a charge). Considering the known antics of the “Gay Pride” set, the word “inadvertently” seems…innapropriate. By the way, i said “the Archdiocese”…i didnt mention Cardinal OMalleys name. There are others there; and some advisors dont always get it right. i`m not blaming the Cardinal.
“…this type of spinning out of control language…” would be more appropriately applied to some of the language issuing from people within the Archdiocese.

Scandal is all relative. Here in New England its no scandal…

Two unusual (shallow?) statements! The Archdiocese of Boston has been in the Catholic news a number of times in this part of the world (Australia). The relatively recent E Kennedy funeral was commented on… Don`t some people ever learn?
The scandals affect the whole Church, including near neighbours.

 

[Chipper]

Scandal is all relative. Here in New England its no scandal…

Scandal is “all” relative to what?

If it is scandal here in Texas, but not in New England, then yes it is relative to where you live - yes?

The point is that they are celebrating LGBT “PRIDE”.

Pride is one of the seven deadly sins. But only if you live in Texas, since it appears that “PRIDE” is acceptable in New England.

Relatively speaking that is.

 

[wisdomseeker]

Scandal is “all” relative to what?

If it is scandal here in Texas, but not in New England, then yes it is relative to where you live - yes?

The point is that they are celebrating LGBT “PRIDE”.

Pride is one of the seven deadly sins. But only if you live in Texas, since it appears that “PRIDE” is acceptable in New England.

Relatively speaking that is.

Shouldn’t the CC stay away from relativism?

 

[Chipper]

Shouldn’t the CC stay away from relativism?

Of course.

 

[valient_Lucy]

I think that any criticism of a priest or bishop (or brother or sister) must be framed with restraint and charity. However, I also think that low visibility persons such as us making a criticism is much different than a bishop publicly criticizing another bishop. That sort of thing undermines episcopal authority and the unity of the Church.

I’d rather see a bishop criticizing another bishop in public than a layperson criticizing a bishop in public.