Why did my diocese ban guns?

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I’m in Houston. I never liked guns being banned last year or so even when legal. I really don’t like it now. Why take away out God given right to defend ourselves?
 
This is a complicated question. The truth is, the Church has no official position on firearms, but the Catechism discusses the right to self defense. You haven’t got to agree with your diocese’s decision, but remember, you are under the jurisdiction of your bishop.
 
Please elaborate on what you mean by your diocese banned guns. Is your diocese saying they don’t want guns on any church property? Why would you take offense to that?
 
I take offense because if someone decides to attack, nobody can defend.
 
Mulligan2 said:
Please elaborate on what you mean by your diocese banned guns. Is your diocese saying they don’t want guns on any church property? Why would you take offense to that?
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Last year Texas enacted open carry. You can open carry unless a business posts a “no guns” notice. Some dioceses have issued a diocesan-wide policy while others have left it to the parish level. It’s my understanding that Cardinal Di Nardo left it to parish level decision making.

Many other denominations and individual churches also had such conversations last year when open carry became law.
 
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In Texas the property owners can decide. (There are some more laws concerning bars, schools even churches etc). But out pastor told us to leave firearms in car etc.
 
That depends.

It depends on what civil law says.

Such laws vary from state-to-state.
 
JHC said:
I take offense because if someone decides to attack, nobody can defend.
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Apparently, such an attack has occurred in Texas at a Baptist church around 11:30 this morning. Multiple casualties reported…more than 20 dead.
 
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I am trying to find this decision of the diocese website. However, traditionally, Catholic Churches have been considered sanctuaries. I remember Cardinal DiNardo going ballistic with a local chief of police because his officers disturbed Mass to serve a civil warrant.

My parish does not have it posted, but I have no doubt the priest would have a few harsh words if he found someone doing it, and then get it posted.
 
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Your right to bear arms is guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. The Church has no right to cancel your civil right - especially now, because the Bishops refuse to defend the doctrine of the Faith that has been undermined by certain interpretations of Amoris Laetitia. In other words, the Bishop should focus on defending the Faith instead of taking away your ability to defend yourself. And this is coming from an Englishman.
 
Saxum said:
The Church has no right to cancel your civil right - especially now,
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One issue has nothing to do with the other. And yes, the bishop does have control over whether weapons are acceptable on diocesan property, within the limits of civil law.

There is something basically wrong if one cannot be away from their gun for an hour.
 
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pnewton said:
One issue has nothing to do with the other. And yes, the bishop does have control over whether weapons are acceptable on diocesan property, within the limits of civil law.
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I agree the connection between the two issues is tenuous. My point was to highlight the exasperation I feel. The Bishops seem obsessed with political issues and disinterested in doctrinal issues.

The second amendment guarantees the right to bear arms. The Bishop ought to realise that guns would make Church premises safe. Conscientious Catholics will follow his rule, some nutcase will bring an AR 15 and nobody will be able to defend themselves.

The Bishop ought to focus on teaching and defending the Faith. He should allow his faithful to follow the laws of the land - including the right to bear arms. He’ll be glad he did if the time comes when a lunatic enters the Church and starts shooting.
 
Saxum said:
I agree the connection between the two issues is tenuous. My point was to highlight the exasperation I feel.
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I really get that. Not that I feel exasperated, but I understand that emotion well and know how it can lead to frustration. That said, I do not think this is particular issue represents any focus on politics. After all, I can’t even find this referenced on their website, and as I said, in my own parish it is still a non-issue.

Personally, I have had to attend Mass in uniform, and do not carry a gun. I hate being in public when off duty without a gun, but I never minded going to Mass.
 
JHC said:
I take offense because if someone decides to attack, nobody can defend.
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Tell the raving madman that drinking from the holy water font will give him magical powers. Then barricade yourself in the sacristy and wait for illness to overtake him.

If he is a daemonic, use the holy water to stun him and then call the exorcist hotline. The diocese can deploy a priest-paratooper to the location.

In all seriousness, your bishop sounds like a smart man. In the vast majority of the world, it is common sense that arming the population with projectile weapons that use miniaturized controlled explosions to hurl pieces of metal through the air at supersonic speeds doesn’t make people safer, but I realize that gun ownership in America is related to pride, sex appeal, vanity, wrath, and cultural heritage, and no amount of statistics are going to alter perceptions.

There are no predominately Catholic countries that have uber lax gun laws. Zero. Zip. It is an anomaly to a hyper-individualistic culture.
 
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Are you saying that your diocese has banned guns from being brought onto Church properties? Or have they barred the faithful from owning at all?
 
I believe the diocese banned them from inside the buildings. (It could just be my parish though).
 
Take some time and read the statistics rather than news reports.
 
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