Robinson Led Retreat for Gay Catholic Priests

[elgar]

MANCHESTER – Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson said he led a confidential retreat a few years ago for gay Roman Catholic priests.

Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church and world Anglican Communion, said the Catholic priest group that organized the meeting had invited him to attend.

About 75 Catholic clergy from around the U.S. participated without notifying their bishops or provincial leaders, Robinson said. In 2005, the Vatican issued a document affirming the church’s stance that men with “deep-seated” attraction to other men should not be ordained.

The retreat was held outside of New England, but Robinson would not say where.

Robinson briefly discussed the retreat during a question-and-answer session after a viewing Saturday of a documentary featuring his life story called, “For The Bible Tells Me So,” according to The Laconia Daily Sun.

The film features Robinson’s parents and other Christian parents discussing their faith and having a child come out as gay or lesbian.

The documentary was shown at Gilford’s First United Methodist Church as part of the Open Doors Fellowship, which aims to make the church welcoming for gays and lesbians.

The film makes a link between sexism and anti-gay prejudice, contending that, “at its root, the hatred of gays is driven by a hatred and second-class status of women,” Robinson said.

Robinson said he made a similar point in the priests’ retreat.

“I had said to them, 'It’s too dangerous for you to come out as gay to your superiors, but I believe that if you work for the ordination of women in your church, you will go a long way toward opening the door for the acceptance of gay priests,” Robinson said.

seacoastonline.com/articles/20081029-NEWS-81029051

 

[elgar]

The documentary was shown at Gilford’s First United Methodist Church as part of the Open Doors Fellowship, which aims to make the church welcoming for gays and lesbians.

The film makes a link between sexism and anti-gay prejudice, contending that, “at its root, the hatred of gays is driven by a hatred and second-class status of women,” Robinson said.

Robinson said he made a similar point in the priests’ retreat.

“I had said to them, 'It’s too dangerous for you to come out as gay to your superiors, but I believe that if you work for the ordination of women in your church, you will go a long way toward opening the door for the acceptance of gay priests,” Robinson said.

seacoastonline.com/articles/20081029-NEWS-81029051

Notice the clear connection between the pro women’s ordination movement and the pro acceptance of gay priests crowd. Add pro-choice to this mix and you have a civil rights trinity. Gene Robinson is a poster boy for Planned Parenthood.

 

[marci]

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!!!

 

[irenaeus1]

This event certainly could have taken place. But part of me thinks that it may not have. Is there any proof? I would guess that it would be somewhat difficult to coordinate a conference with too many people from across the country without someone whose not suppose to find out actually finding out. I guess we’ll see if there are any such people who corroborate the story.

 

[Publisher]

Last year the Meeting I attend went to Trinity Cathedral in Portland Oregon to hear Friend Robinson. He is a wonderful moving speaker…if he had been speaking in Meeting I would have stood and affirmed his words as is the Quaker way…“This Friend speaks my mind.”

He affirmed that he has led a retreat for Catholic priests for years in a secluded un-named location. He said there were anywhere between 60-75 priests who attend each year for a week. It is a place where “they can let their hair down” and discuss issues, pray with others like themselves, make friends and form networks.

IT IS VERY UNDERGROUND, and these priests know IF caught, may face disiplinary action…but Friend Robinson offers them a “safe and secure” place to meet and “just be themselves” for one week each year…he stated it was very very emotional when the retreat ended…many would hold on to each other and cry as they departed back to their respective parishes…many of them finding new life long friends as they realized “they were not alone.”

I have had the privelege of being acquainted with two priests and one brother who happens to be gay. One was administrator for a prestigious Catholic school…the other a parish priest in a small town in California…the brother a member of a monastary community here in Oregon. Wonderful, kind, compassionate and BRAVE men who were willing to trust an “outsider”.

 

[cthulhubryan]

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!!!

Indeed. Seems simple enough to understand:

“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” - Leviticus 18:22

That is not what I would call a ‘wimpy’ statement.

“If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them”.- Leviticus 20:13

Hmmm, not exactly separate but equal is it?

“…tradition has always declared that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.” They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.” CCC 2357

Hmm, I guess the Pope ain’t cutting Eugene any slack either.

 

[elgar]

IT IS VERY UNDERGROUND, and these priests know IF caught, may face disiplinary action…but Friend Robinson offers them a “safe and secure” place to meet and “just be themselves” for one week each year…he stated it was very very emotional when the retreat ended…many would hold on to each other and cry as they departed back to their respective parishes…many of them finding new life long friends as they realized “they were not alone.”

I have had the privelege of being acquainted with two priests and one brother who happens to be gay. One was administrator for a prestigious Catholic school…the other a parish priest in a small town in California…the brother a member of a monastary community here in Oregon. Wonderful, kind, compassionate and BRAVE men who were willing to trust an “outsider”.

This is really disturbing to hear. I’m just curious, do they engage in sex at these secret gatherings or afterwards? If they were truly “BRAVE” men, they would come “out” and accept the consequences. Having homosexual tendencies is not the problem, it is being unfaithful to your vows of chastity. Boy O’ boy does the church need a good purging these days. If this is a true story, I hope this scandal gets front page coverage somewhere.

 

[Publisher]

IT IS VERY UNDERGROUND, and these priests know IF caught, may face disiplinary action…but Friend Robinson offers them a “safe and secure” place to meet and “just be themselves” for one week each year…he stated it was very very emotional when the retreat ended…many would hold on to each other and cry as they departed back to their respective parishes…many of them finding new life long friends as they realized “they were not alone.”

I have had the privelege of being acquainted with two priests and one brother who happens to be gay. One was administrator for a prestigious Catholic school…the other a parish priest in a small town in California…the brother a member of a monastary community here in Oregon. Wonderful, kind, compassionate and BRAVE men who were willing to trust an “outsider”.

This is really disturbing to hear. I’m just curious, do they engage in sex at these secret gatherings or afterwards? If they were truly “BRAVE” men, they would come “out” and accept the consequences. Having homosexual tendencies is not the problem, it is being unfaithful to your vows of chastity. Boy O’ boy does the church need a good purging these days. If this is a true story, I hope this scandal gets front page coverage somewhere.

**Bishop Robinson did not “detail” any sexual activity…he offerd a place for priests to meet to discuss, pray and talk…I’m sure sexual issues came up…but the focus of the retreat was not to offer a sexual outlet…it’s focus was spiritual…centered in prayer and discussion.

These men wish to serve the church and no indication whatsoever was implied of any activity that would be unfaithful to their vows of chastity…I hope it gets front page coverage “somewhere” too…**

 

[drno]

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!!!

amen

 

[averheyen]

I believe that if you work for the ordination of women in your church, you will go a long way toward opening the door for the acceptance of gay priests," Robinson said.

He makes a good point. It probably would. I think we already know that one.

St Michael the archangel, defend us in battle!!!

Amen.

 

[gam197]

originally posted by ** averheyen**
From article…
I believe that if you work for the ordination of women in your church, you will go a long way toward opening the door for the acceptance of gay priests," Robinson said.

That sounds a little more than “praying” and is very troubling to me.

 

[BSHoop96]

Last year the Meeting I attend went to Trinity Cathedral in Portland Oregon to hear Friend Robinson. He is a wonderful moving speaker…if he had been speaking in Meeting I would have stood and affirmed his words as is the Quaker way…“This Friend speaks my mind.”

He affirmed that he has led a retreat for Catholic priests for years in a secluded un-named location. He said there were anywhere between 60-75 priests who attend each year for a week. It is a place where “they can let their hair down” and discuss issues, pray with others like themselves, make friends and form networks.

IT IS VERY UNDERGROUND, and these priests know IF caught, may face disiplinary action…but Friend Robinson offers them a “safe and secure” place to meet and “just be themselves” for one week each year…he stated it was very very emotional when the retreat ended…many would hold on to each other and cry as they departed back to their respective parishes…many of them finding new life long friends as they realized “they were not alone.”

**I have had the privelege of being acquainted with two priests and one brother who happens to be gay. One was administrator for a prestigious Catholic school…the other a parish priest in a small town in California…the brother a member of a monastary community here in Oregon. Wonderful, kind, compassionate and BRAVE men who were willing to trust an “outsider”./**QUOTE]

My question would be why these priests and brother would be discussing their sexuality, gay or heterosexual with you or anyone else? It’s inappropriate, period. They are celibate. End of discussion.

 

[RobbyS]

MANCHESTER – Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson said he led a confidential retreat a few years ago for gay Roman Catholic priests.

Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church and world Anglican Communion, said the Catholic priest group that organized the meeting had invited him to attend.

About 75 Catholic clergy from around the U.S. participated without notifying their bishops or provincial leaders, Robinson said. In 2005, the Vatican issued a document affirming the church’s stance that men with “deep-seated” attraction to other men should not be ordained.

The retreat was held outside of New England, but Robinson would not say where.

Robinson briefly discussed the retreat during a question-and-answer session after a viewing Saturday of a documentary featuring his life story called, “For The Bible Tells Me So,” according to The Laconia Daily Sun.

The film features Robinson’s parents and other Christian parents discussing their faith and having a child come out as gay or lesbian.

The documentary was shown at Gilford’s First United Methodist Church as part of the Open Doors Fellowship, which aims to make the church welcoming for gays and lesbians.

The film makes a link between sexism and anti-gay prejudice, contending that, “at its root, the hatred of gays is driven by a hatred and second-class status of women,” Robinson said.

Robinson said he made a similar point in the priests’ retreat.

“I had said to them, 'It’s too dangerous for you to come out as gay to your superiors, but I believe that if you work for the ordination of women in your church, you will go a long way toward opening the door for the acceptance of gay priests,” Robinson said.

seacoastonline.com/articles/20081029-NEWS-81029051

Do we need further proof that we have in the Church a Gay Mafia that seeks to undernine the church’s orthodoxy?

 

[Phemie]

Publisher;4361524:

Last year the Meeting I attend went to Trinity Cathedral in Portland Oregon to hear Friend Robinson. He is a wonderful moving speaker…if he had been speaking in Meeting I would have stood and affirmed his words as is the Quaker way…“This Friend speaks my mind.”

He affirmed that he has led a retreat for Catholic priests for years in a secluded un-named location. He said there were anywhere between 60-75 priests who attend each year for a week. It is a place where “they can let their hair down” and discuss issues, pray with others like themselves, make friends and form networks.

IT IS VERY UNDERGROUND, and these priests know IF caught, may face disiplinary action…but Friend Robinson offers them a “safe and secure” place to meet and “just be themselves” for one week each year…he stated it was very very emotional when the retreat ended…many would hold on to each other and cry as they departed back to their respective parishes…many of them finding new life long friends as they realized “they were not alone.”

I have had the privelege of being acquainted with two priests and one brother who happens to be gay. One was administrator for a prestigious Catholic school…the other a parish priest in a small town in California…the brother a member of a monastary community here in Oregon. Wonderful, kind, compassionate and BRAVE men who were willing to trust an “outsider”./

QUOTE]

My question would be why these priests and brother would be discussing their sexuality, gay or heterosexual with you or anyone else? It’s inappropriate, period. They are celibate. End of discussion.

Because, like it or not, their sexuality is part of who they are. Not acknowledging it is denying their own identity. I don’t care if the priests I know are gay or straight as long as they are celibate. I’ve had both gay and straight celibate pastors and I’ve had both gay and straight pastors who didn’t live up to their promise to be celibate. The latter caused big problems in the parishes. Just to be clear, none were involved with children.

 

[averheyen]

BSHoop96;4367012:

Because, like it or not, their sexuality is part of who they are. Not acknowledging it is denying their own identity. I don’t care if the priests I know are gay or straight as long as they are celibate. I’ve had both gay and straight celibate pastors and I’ve had both gay and straight pastors who didn’t live up to their promise to be celibate. The latter caused big problems in the parishes. Just to be clear, none were involved with children.

Emotions and feelings are fickle. I’d always be weary of defining homosexuality as “part of one’s identity”

 

[BSHoop96]

BSHoop96;4367012:

Because, like it or not, their sexuality is part of who they are. Not acknowledging it is denying their own identity. I don’t care if the priests I know are gay or straight as long as they are celibate. I’ve had both gay and straight celibate pastors and I’ve had both gay and straight pastors who didn’t live up to their promise to be celibate. The latter caused big problems in the parishes. Just to be clear, none were involved with children.

I’m not arguing who lives up to celibacy or not. Let’s assume that they are able to live up to their vows of celibacy. My point is that they shouldn’t be discussing their own sexuality, gay or heterosexual, with the poster. It’s none of our business. Just as a teacher shouldn’t be discussing their sexuality with a student.

 

[BSHoop96]

Phemie;4367933:

Emotions and feelings are fickle. I’d always be weary of defining homosexuality as “part of one’s identity”

Averheyen, I didn’t post this. The quotes were messed up and caused confusion I think.

I was questioning why a priest would be discussing their sexuality with the poster at all.

 

[Phemie]

I’m not arguing who lives up to celibacy or not. Let’s assume that they are able to live up to their vows of celibacy. My point is that they shouldn’t be discussing their own sexuality, gay or heterosexual, with the poster. It’s none of our business. Just as a teacher shouldn’t be discussing their sexuality with a student.

I got the impression that the poster was friends with the people in question, not their parishioner.

I’m friends with a young priest and he has discussed his feelings with me. I’m not his parishioner and I’m old enough to be his mother. I’m not friends with him because he’s a priest, he’s a friend who happens to be a priest.