Support for homosexual events in church

[CathMomof3]

Recently we got a new priest at our parish. There are many things that concern me, as well as other parishioners. Many parishioners have left the parish. My husband and I would too expect two of our children currently go there for school so we feel the need stand up for what is right.

Here’s the situation. This new priest put up a small booth in our Narthex in support of the AIDS Walk Wisconsin. Then during Mass he challenged every parishioner to match his donation of $500. I did some research on this event and the money goes to organizations that support the use of condoms, as well as two lesbian gay bisexual transgender community centers.

I am more than 90% sure that our priest is aware of where the money goes. He has made reference to the homosexual lifestyle during at least one of his homilies.

Any suggestions as to how to handle this? As a side note, I question his orientation because he has his right ear pierced and has made some comments in the past that he “doesn’t understand why the church doesn’t allow lifetime partners”

Thanks so much for your comments. I am having a meeting at my home in a couple of days with other school parents/parishioners to discuss what options we have.

 

[1ke]

Meet with the priest first, as a group or individually, discuss your concerns and ask him to publically ammend the situation by discontinuing support for this group and request that he affirm Catholic teaching on homosexual acts.

If he refuses-- next stop is the Bishop. Document everything and calmly explain your concerns and ask for a remedy.

 

[goofyjim]

Then maybe the Church should start some AIDS fundraising that doesn’t teach the use of condoms. To just refrain completely instead of taking the initiative is downright lacking compassion about a ravenous killer which becomes a burden on everyone, not just homosexuals. I, for one will give to existing AIDS charities.

 

[Newbie2]

Dittos to the previous posts. Talk to the priest and be 100% sure what you suspect. Lots of times they are too busy to find out for themselves about such things and depend on staff, etc. to be telling them what they should know.

 

[jay29]

Then maybe the Church should start some AIDS fundraising that doesn’t teach the use of condoms. To just refrain completely instead of taking the initiative is downright lacking compassion about a ravenous killer which becomes a burden on everyone, not just homosexuals. I, for one will give to existing AIDS charities.

Why can’t people keep their pants on to help stop AIDS?

 

[CathMomof3]

I have no problem with supporting organizations that research for a cure for AIDS. That is not where my problem is. If our priest wanted to fundraise for a specific research company I would be for it. But what he did is support and challenge every parishioner to support a fundraiser that supports things that the Catholic Church has firmly spoken out against. And I know that he knew where the money goes. It only took me a minute (maybe even less) to go to aidswalkwis.org and click under “benefiting agencies”. After looking at this website I didn’t donate a dime. I feel very bad for the people who didn’t know where their money was going.

 

[Riley259]

I have no problem with supporting organizations that research for a cure for AIDS. That is not where my problem is. If our priest wanted to fundraise for a specific research company I would be for it. But what he did is support and challenge every parishioner to support a fundraiser that supports things that the Catholic Church has firmly spoken out against. And I know that he knew where the money goes. It only took me a minute (maybe even less) to go to aidswalkwis.org and click under “benefiting agencies”. After looking at this website I didn’t donate a dime. I feel very bad for the people who didn’t know where their money was going.

I’d like to echo what others have stated. Go to the priest first and hear what he has to say. He should be respected enough to be confronted in private. If after that he’s clearly committed to his heterodox ways then contact the bishop.