We must recognize dignity of all, Orlando bishop says at prayer vigil

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ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) — In Orlando and major cities around the nation and the world, people gathered June 13 to pay tribute to those killed and injured in the shooting rampage in Orlando the previous day.

About 700 people also gathered to pray for those attacked and for peace in the world at St. James Cathedral, less than two miles up the street from where the shootings took place at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando.

The interfaith prayer service was led by Orlando Bishop John G. Noonan, who was joined on the altar by Bishop Robert N. Lynch of St. Petersburg, 10 priests of the Orlando Diocese and other religious leaders.

“Our presence here tonight is a symbol of hope. We come to pray,” said Bishop Noonan.

He was joined by Imam Tariq Rashid, of the Islamic Center of Orlando; Bishop Greg Brewer, of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida; Deacon Michael Matheny, of St. Luke Episcopal Cathedral; Huseyin Peker, the Atlantic Institute-Central Florida; the Rev. Tom McCloskey, of First United Methodist Church in Orlando; and the Revs. John Harris, Downtown Baptist Church, and the Rev. Robert Spooney, of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church.

cnstopstories.com/2016/06/14/we-must-recognize-dignity-of-all-orlando-bishop-says-at-prayer-vigil/
 
In a blogpost Monday, Bishop Robert Lynch said that Catholicism “targets” and “often breeds contempt for gays, lesbians and transgender people.” The seed of contempt, he said, turns into hatred, “which can ultimately lead to violence.” Unless this attitude changes, he states, “we can expect more Orlandos.”
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In his post, the bishop made no attempt to explain how a 29-year-old Muslim who never stepped foot in a Catholic Church would have been motivated to carry out his deed by a supposed Catholic “contempt” for homosexuality.
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breitbart.com/big-government/2016/06/14/florida-bishop-blames-orlando-massacre-catholic-contempt-homosexuality/

bishopsblog.dosp.org/?p=6644
 
Bubba_Switzler said:
breitbart.com/big-government/2016/06/14/florida-bishop-blames-orlando-massacre-catholic-contempt-homosexuality/

bishopsblog.dosp.org/?p=6644
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That Breitbart headline is factually incorrect. It says:

Florida Bishop Blames Orlando Massacre on Catholic ‘Contempt’ for Homosexuality

He didn’t blame the shooting on Catholics. In fact, he didn’t even mention the shooting and Catholics in the same sentence. He said that Catholics are partly to blame for creating an atmosphere that can lead to violence like Orlando. I agree with him. I’ve seen it here and on facebook. I don’t interact with many people that are anti-gay so I don’t hear it much in person (thankfully).

Look at the first paragraph that you quoted. There are so many partial quotes that it loses the meaning of the original.

Compare:

Here is the first paragraph from Breitbart:
In a blogpost Monday, Bishop Robert Lynch said that Catholicism “targets” and “often breeds contempt for gays, lesbians and transgender people.” The seed of contempt, he said, turns into hatred, “which can ultimately lead to violence.” Unless this attitude changes, he states, “we can expect more Orlandos.”
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Here are the sentences that they took all of the quotes from:
Second, sadly it is religion, including our own, which targets, mostly verbally, and also often breeds contempt for gays, lesbians and transgender people. Attacks today on LGBT men and women often plant the seed of contempt, then hatred, which can ultimately lead to violence.
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&
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Will we ever learn? I hope so but until the above three points are taken seriously by society, sadly, tragically, we can expect more Orlandos.
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J_Peterson said:
He didn’t blame the shooting on Catholics…Look at the first paragraph that you quoted. There are so many partial quotes that it loses the meaning of the original.
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I read both and while I agree that the bishop was not explicit, the Breitbart article conveyed the same essential meaning as his own blog post.

I don’t read either as singling out Catholics but rather lumping in Catholics, and Catholic teaching, with a general hostility toward homosexuals that is somehow connected with, and causitive of, the shooting.

Consider simply the last paragraph you quoted:
Will we ever learn? I hope so but until the above three points are taken seriously by society, sadly, tragically, we can expect more Orlandos.
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Well, what could we Catholics learn that would prevent more Orlandos? Suppose you could magically insert any knowledge you wished into Catholic heads. How would that prevent more Orlandos?
 
As a priest, following these events from afar, I have been gratified by the pastoral solicitude and attentiveness of the Bishops in Florida in the aftermath of the tragic attack in Orlando, particularly in various statements emerging from the Diocese of Orlando and the nearby Diocese of Saint Petersburg.

I was struck by the Diocese of Orlando making available to any victims of the attack financial assistance as well as case management and other forms of supportive help that are available through Catholic Charities and that they would arrange for special outreach to the affected community.

I join in spirit and in prayer the Bishops of Orlando and Saint Petersburg and I am sure the many others of the United States, together with my brother priests, in praying for those who were victims of this terrible act against those who were targeted and for all who were touched by these horrifying events.

May the Lord guide His shepherds in their outreach to these populations and also in all their efforts to build bridges.

*All life is sacred as each one of us is made in the image and likeness of God. We cherish each person as a child of God.

We pray for victims of violence and acts of terror…for their families and friends…and all those affected by such acts against God’s love.

We pray for the people of the city of Orlando that God’s mercy and love will be upon us as we seek healing and consolation.

Every time we look at the Cross, we see how God has forgiven us in Christ – with a love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things; love never fails.

We dry the tears of those who weep and mourn as gently as Veronica wiped the Lord’s bleeding face on the Via Dolorosa.

May the Peace of Christ dwell within our heart.*
Bishop John Noonan, Diocese of Orlando​
 
I think groups of people, united by shared beliefs, can become a bit like soldiers before a battle. Think of how a General speaks to motivate his troops. There are words of encouragement and solidarity. Among the troops, these words become more base and even vulgar. They are simplified and honed like the weapons they will use in battle. The troops even come up with various derogatory names for the enemy to bolster their courage before battle.

But we are not in a battle. We are all traveling towards the same goal. We are supposed to help those that become lost along the way. We are supposed to help those among us who stumble.

Maybe these words of the bishops can bring us back to our senses. There is only one common enemy. We need charity towards all to make it home.
 
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