Cardinal: ministry to gays inauthentic teaching

Tradition is one thing and unless periodically challenged is allowed to be the only thing. Perhaps relevant rather than traditional teachng would be a more appropriate frame-of-reference.

Interesting topic, unfortunately the article does not identify the contents of the ministry were identified as "ambiguities and errors" in their approach caused confusion for the Catholic people and harmed the church community. In order to fully understand the view of the church, it would be beneficial to provide a description of the alleged problems.

Seems to me that the NCR should have 'edited' the CNS headline.

Cardinal George did not say ministry to gays is inauthentic teaching but that a specific organization that ministers to gays was inauthentic in their teaching.

Gay ministry is already horribly misunderstood by most Catholics - why contribute to the confusion?

Why are these guys so preoccupied with homosexuality?

Poor, George! Once again delivering one of his pharisaical pronouncements
on authenticity in the Catholic Church. And, once again putting his suede slipper into his eminently 'Big Mouth'.
New Ways Ministry may not lay claim to this prince of the church's blessing,
however it can lay claim to being in the trenches relieving the pain and
walking the walk of God's Children the way Jesus would have us all do.
Authentic or not it will continue to deserve my prayerful and financial
support.

I once again recall that the only time Jesus got upset, was when addressing the hierarchy of His day. I recall that Jesus' eventual reaction was to ignore them. He didn't even answer their questions at his crucifixion. My reaction to Cardinal George is similar: a stifled yawn. The Cardinal is simply ignorant. He and his old boys in the hierarchy have become so irrelevant as to be totally ignored. I long ago concluded that their ignorance, in this information age, is probably culpable and is consistently displayed.... not only by their actions (e.g. the sexual abuse scandal), but also by their language. The use of the term "inclination" is one small humorous sign of ignorance. The hierarchy's performance in recent years seems quite consistent with "infallible" Rome's handling of the Galileo affair. It's quite ludicrous. The "official" Church Magisterium has totally lost it's credence. In my view, the best response to ignorant bigots is to imitate Jesus...........ignore them. Maybe some day they will catch up, but they are far behind, same as they were on slavery. To be castigated by the hierarchy is something that should probably be welcomed. Not only are you in good company, but it means you are achieving broader recognition. I would say to News Ways Ministry: "Better notoriety than obscurity."

It will be interesting to see how the institution responds when science proves that homosexuality is genetic. This is not a choice. So, what are people supposed to do, deny their orientation and pretend to be heterosexual when they are not, or embrace a celibate lifestyle when they are called to be in relationship. Science will eventually force the Church to re-examine their teaching on homosexuality. In the meantime, ministry programs that offer support to those who try to find peace in the midst of the contrast between what they know in their heart and what the Church currently teaches are necessary and compassionate. Kudos to Sr. Jeanine for not bowing to the power of the institution and for boldly standing in her truth!

Dear Frank,
Thank you and New Ways Ministry for continuing to bring Love, and Hope to those so ruthlessly attacked by what is supposed to be a Universal Church. Did Jesus not come for us all? It seems Cardinal George and many others want the "Catholic" Church to be a private club and they alone hold the secret criteria for membership. If only the criteria could remain the "Spirit of Jesus", all those seeking Justice, Peace and Love in the world, would have a gold membership card!

Nature is the creation of God and all persons are an integral part of that nature and play a role in God's plan. We need a Church that honors God's creations more and their narrow views less. Holiness comes to all by being true to their God given nature. It is called being authentic! It is the essence of truth, the basis of humility, goodness and alignment with God.

Your response was true and touching. Let us continue to hope that someday the hierarchy will realize they have forgotten why "Our Savior" came and stop being so judgmental and more filled with the "One Commandment" of Jesus. Love others as I have loved you.

Keep up working for those who need it most.

I thought it supremely ironic that yesterday, Cardinal George had all his Chicago Archdiocesan pastors beg for bucks for the diocese. I suspect that, given all the human rights leadership he's failed to exercise (you may have the same rights as others as long as you're heterosexual), he may receive a good number of empty envelopes with explanations as to why.

I find quite often that Bishop George's Catholic Church does not represent all Catholics. In fact, We Are The Church, and Bishop George is just an individual in the overall WE. His logic does not hold. Poor man... A rock battling the ocean.

Francis DeBernardo: "It would be a grave error in judgment -- both politically and morally-- for government leaders to assume that the Catholic hierarchy reflects the belief of most Catholic people,” I just pray you're right.

The intrusion of the hierarchy of the Roman [not catholic] church into the Proposition 8 campaign makes The Reverend Red Guy's words all too familiar, and I'm afraid very many whose lives are controlled by this idolatrous and popalotrous cadre really believe that an institution has a particularly clear view into the mind of God. Not even Jesus claimed this and could end his life asking why God abandoned him--his hope was in the face of hopelessness, the only place it belongs.

If Jesus returned today as Dostoyevsky imagined, he would be condemned as a heterodox trouble maker who lived with those on the margins of society, who accepted each person unconditionally, and who knew that all which Eloihim had created was very good. (Gen 1) The Very Reverend Red Guy and his gang have a sharp nose for the whiff of evil within the greatest love; Goethe’s Mephistopheles had the same taste and talent. Is the Grand Inquisitor still alive and well? still serving the Tempter in the desert? still trying to correct all that Jesus got wrong?

Lauri, your comment about "interesting to see how the institution responds when sceince proves that homosexuality is genetic" suggests that you agree with the commonly held opinion that the Magisterium's position is based upon the assumption that homosexuality is a matter of choice. That appears not to be the case. If my reading of their positon is correct, the condemnation of homosexual sexual relationships, even those that exist in a committed relationship, is based upon the same ratio as their condemnation of artificial prophylaxsis, namely that it countervenes one of the two primary purposes of a sexual relationship - the bearing of children.

Whether homosexuality is a matter of choice or genetic in nature is not part of their argument. The recommendation of a good number of the Roman Catholic ethicists I have read is that to avoid sin, homosexuals must remain celebate regardless of whether or not a choice is involved. This is obviously a different understanding that that of most Evangelicals who continue to condemn homosexuality as inherently sinful. I know of no Catholic ethicist who considers the desposition of homosexuality to be in and of itself sinful.

Do we know that the gospels are 100% accurate? Are we to assume that Constantine, a Roman emperor who continued to worship the unconquered Sun, not change some of the practices of Roman Catholics so that Romans would not commit acts of civil disobedience that would occur if they followed Jesus' teachings.

So what is authentic? Is what is authentic to the church authentic to the teachings of Jesus, the Christ?

With all of the scandal in recent memory, plus in the past, perhaps the church needs to be denounced! Beware lest your cross becomes the devil's mousetrap!

Doesn't that remind you of the way Jesus responded to outcasts in his day? "Stay away from me and my Father, you do not deserve us." Whatever has happened to our biblically rooted tradition?

Good job Cardinal George! Keep up the good work! We love you!
DeBernardo should be ashamed of creating such scandal, saying that the Church teachings on morality do not actually matter to the Catholics that hold them. Shameful. of course many of those Catholics In Name Only (CINO) are posting here on this.

Catholics, especially a Cardinal, need not fear looking outside the box.

But first we need to reflect on what Jesus meant when he said: “judge not and yourself will not be judged”. How did so many Catholics become so fearful of looking outside the box? Why are some of us so negatively and militantly oriented? Here is what the previous (1969) Catechism had to say about homosexuality: “It is not the fault of the individual if he or she is not attracted to the other sex. The causes of homosexuality are unknown. In their human isolation, they look for friendship. But where they find true and loyal responses, the perfect fulfilment of their human longings is not granted them”.

How did a religion become so fearful of homosexuality, that in its blindness it cannot bring compassion and understanding to its people?

Should the Church not practise and teach people that true respect for life must include a life from the alpha to the omega free of racial, sexual, religious, political, cultural and gender biases?

Reading this article today (Tuesday) after reading today's Gospel (Mark 7: 1 - 13). Seems Jesus didn't always follow all the rules of 'the tradtion' or the elders. What if he had? And, to give a reply to Bishop George, Jesus was always about the poor and displaced and mis-understood. I wonder if Jesus would be in the office with Bishop George or working with New Ways Ministry?

In my mind - there is no question.

When will the Vatican stop trying to silence the Catholic Faithful.
We have been faithful and listening for years and we also are capable of interpreting the Scriptures and the words and life of Jesus. When Jesus gave "the keys" to Peter he didn't mean that only men from that day forward held "the keys" to understanding the Word of God.

No where in the 10 commandments or in the 2 commandments of Jesus (Love God and neighbor), does it tell us homosexuality is in itself sinful.

He does say to love and take care of the widows, the orphans, the prisoners, and to put down the sword. He does say to love your enemies and to forgive them and to put down the sword. Maybe the Vatican and the Bishops and the Cardinals could spend more time interpreting the Catholic Church's role in these clear mandates of Christ. The compassion of Christ is not imitated by driving sisters away from the church. Sometimes I think the Vatican is afraid to listen to the faithful people. In order to "let the Spirit lead" it is necessary to listen.

God, help our hearts and minds listen to your spirit.
Keep us united in you.
Concetta

I continue to be amazed that the Hierarchy, those leaders of the Church who have the power to make such pronouncements, never seem to consider the families of gays and lesbians when doing so. Parents, good, practicing Catholics, love every child in their family. If one should have a homosexual orientation, reasonable parents would want them to have the same civil benefits and protections as their other children; plus the spiritual direction appropriate for their homosexual orientation. If their homosexual child finds a partner they wish to spend their life with, this can be a joy for the parents and siblings; another welcomed addition to the family circle.

However, Catholics are too often thrown into confusion and despair when they are told that one of their children is gay--all because of the traditional teaching about the evil of homosexual acts. It takes a crash course in homosexuality, and many months, or years, for parents to work through the incongruities of Church pronouncements.

I know some parents who have disowned, or who refuse to speak to their child (even in their 40,s or more) because of what "the Church teaches about homosexuality." But I know even more Catholics who have left the Church rather than deny the goodness of their son or daughter. Parents know their children better than the Bishops do. Does the Church really care about families? Does it presume that homosexuals are free-floating entities without parents and siblings who are also affected negatively by hierarchial pronouncements? New Ways Ministry should be congratulated for its mission to help Catholic sons and daughters, and their parents to work through a difficult time in their lives.

Why oh why does someone, like the Cardinal and so many other 'shepherds' of the people, consistently get things wrong? The teaching of the Church, on matters sexual, has long since lost any credibilty it once had (or perhaps never had?) and our bishops drag this teaching ever more deeply into fur and feather land.

USCCB President Cardinal George’s statement opposing New Ways Ministry is as disingenuous as NWM’s claim that it supports Catholic sexual morality. As documented in my book, The Rite of Sodomy, New Ways is only incidentally religious, i.e., it uses religion solely for the political ends of the Homosexual Collective within and without the Church. Yet it has never lacked for support from the American hierarchy including Bishops Gumbleton, Sullivan (Walter), Clark, Povish, McRaith, Costello (Thomas), Buswell, Symons, Untener, Weakland, Quinn (Francis), Wuerl, Mattheisen, O’Keefe, Imesch, McNamara, Hughes, Morneau, Lucker, Friend, Cummins, Murphy (Francis), Rodimer and Rosazza. NWM could never have survived without the active support of the Salvatorians, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and numerous other Catholic religious orders. The NCCB/USCC (USCCB) of “The Many Faces of AIDS” fame, has long been the object of clerical homosexual colonization and has worked closely with NWM in the past. NWM Exec. Director Francis DeBernardo himself was a reporter for The Tablet, the diocesan paper of the Brooklyn Diocese. Finally, why does Cardinal George claim that the CDF put Sr.Gramick out of commission when she continues her pro-lesbian/homosex propaganda under the auspices of the Sisters of Loretto and their “Gay Ministry Fund?” PS For the record, the USCCB statement is not only misleading, it’s also 32 years too late.

How very sad that this is the focus of the hierarchy of the church! It causes me heartache to know from first hand experience that a portion of our society (homosexuals) are shunned by a church who was established to represent Jesus. As the proud parent/sister/cousin/niece of homosexuals, it is so very difficult to plow through the hierarchy and focus my beliefs on Jesus' teachings. When will we ever learn???

It is difficult but not impossible. Love the sinner not the sin.Do we love adultery, pedophilia,rape,incest? Every use of the sexual gift outside of marriage is sinful behaviour whether it be masturbation, premarital sex, extramarital sex or a same sex encounter.
You can love and admire someone and you are not to judge anyone but you cannot say sin is not sin just to keep the world happy.
The best thing we can do for anyone we love caught up in the gay lifestyle is to never stop loving them and pray for them every day.

Cardinal George and the Catholic Church’s hierarchy seem suspiciously pre-occupied with homosexuality. I wonder why? Do they know something that we don’t know? Are they trying to conceal something, that they are afraid will come to light, if they don’t maintain a façade of protestation about homosexuality? We already know that the Church’s leadership has a dreadful fear of eliminating celibacy and permitting priests to marry. Officially, they won’t even talk about it.

As a parent of a "baptized" gay son, your words ring so true. Our children are baptized members of the Body of Christ, different by design, born in the image and likeness of God, and gifts to our Catholic communities. New Ways Ministry was the face of hope,love and compassion when I was grappling with the conflicting messages (spoken and unspoken) of the Catholic Church on human sexuality. It was their ministry that comforted and showed me the Light of Christ and how embrace being a "fortunate family", one with a gay child. The Hierarchy would be gravely shortsighted to denounce a ministry so badly needed in today's world. It is a sad reminder of how often God's gifts go left unopened. The statement reeks of homophobia and misunderstanding. God grant us patience and God Bless New Ways Ministry.

My homosexual friends and families are supported by Catholic people who realize that they are equal and deeply loved. That is the gospel message. Stating that you love without a sense of justice is simply tyranny. Like slavery and discrimination against women, the heirachy of the Catholic Church is an embarrassment. Their understanding of human sexuality is from the dark ages. If the core values of Jesus Christ were not there I would have left a long time ago.

For me, the ambiguity and confusion lie more in the realm of why the official church of Jesus is abandoning these children of God. I say Amen to anyone who prayerfully reaches out to them and shows them love and acceptance of Jesus.

USCCB President Cardinal George’s statement opposing New Ways Ministry is as disingenuous as NWM’s claim that it supports Catholic sexual morality.

As documented in my book, The Rite of Sodomy, New Ways is only incidentally religious, i.e., it uses religion solely to advance the political ends of the Homosexual Collective within and without the Church. Yet it has never lacked for support from the American hierarchy including Bishops Gumbleton, Sullivan (Walter), Clark, Povish, McRaith, Costello (Thomas), Buswell, Symons, Untener, Weakland, Quinn (Francis), Wuerl, Mattheisen, O’Keefe, Imesch, McNamara, Hughes, Morneau, Lucker, Friend, Cummins, Murphy (Francis), Rodimer and Rosazza.

NWM could never have survived without the active support of the Salvatorians, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and numerous other Catholic religious orders.

The NCCB/USCC (USCCB) of “The Many Faces of AIDS” fame, has long been the object of clerical homosexual colonization and has worked closely with NWM in the past.

NWM Exec. Director Francis DeBernardo himself was a reporter for The Tablet, the diocesan paper of the Brooklyn Diocese.

Finally, why does Cardinal George claim that the CDF put Sr.Gramick out of commission when she continues her pro-lesbian/homosex propaganda under the auspices of the Sisters of Loretto and their “Gay Ministry Fund?”

PS For the record, the USCCB statement is not only misleading, it’s also 32 years too late.