I think Pope John Paul II would have been disappointed in the way we have wandered from our Catholic faith. From stem cell research to abortion to same sex marriage.

I brought up gay town council candidate Daryl Finizio of Westerly yesterday and I was attacked for my faith alone. His lies about 9/11, covering up about being gay on the campaign trail and switching parties 3 times last time 3 years ago was not attacked. They are all proven facts so they cant be disputed. Yet in my congregation this is important. His character is severely flawed.

I question the posters that responded as "progressive" catholics. These aren't the views of the church and they certainly were not the views of John Paul II. He was a great Pope. I think you will find the church stepping up to fight for what we believe is right. Blogs and newspapers are the best way today to do so in 2006.

I am praying for you.

Yours in Christ
Bryan

Bryan,
I do agree. The moral teaching of the Church on this matter and other matters is crystal clear. Either one embraces such a teaching and therefore one is a practicing Catholic or one doesn't and one should stop pretending one is a practicing Catholic. Either one chooses what modern culture teaches us about sexuality and all sorts of issues, or one believes the Church teaches the truth in season and out of season. If the Church were to believe what the culture believes, what would be the challenge of "being" a Roman Catholic?
John

Dear Bryan,

You only have 1 problem: many of the positions you cite are rather recent and almost Protestant in nature.

It would seem that you can prove Mr. Finzio is not a credible candidate before engaging in bigotry. Do we have to go over again why the parrable is about the "Good Samaritan" and not the "Good Persian" or something else?

I do not want my Catholic Church to stand for bigotry and hatred. Let some Protestant Denominations engage in that kind of thing if they wish.

Appearently John believes that Galileo and Martin Luther, both justified through history, should have just shut their mouths.

As far as great Pope goes, that's very debatable. Let us not forget that the sex scandal went down on his watch. Therefore, under John Paul II, gay men were allowed to abuse young boys without fear of reprisal. Are you sure he was as conservative as you claim??

People who refer to themselves as "Gay" usually mean that they not only have homosexual feelings, but actually act on those feelings, having sex with members of their own gender.

God created men and women to marry each other. It is clearly forbidden in both the Old Testament and the New Testament for men to have sexual relations with men, and women to have sexual relations with women.

The Catholic Church clearly states that having homosexual feelings is not in itself wrong, although it is a disordered state, but, acting on those feelings if seriously, mortally, sinful.

The Church realizes that people with homosexual tendancies do not "choose" to have those feelings - they come about from experiences in early childhood. But, since God designed marriage only for men and women, people with homosexual tendencies, or feelings, are called upon to live celibate lives, unless they can get the necessary help to overcome those tendencies, and, thereafter, can get married to someone of the opposite sex.

Yes, it is difficult to follow the Church. But, think of the alternative - engaging in homosexual sex endangers your soul. This life is our testing period for Eternal Life.

What is the problem with Gay "Marriages"? Quite simply, they are not marriages at all. It is impossible for two human beings of the same sex to contract a valid marriage. And, if you argue with that, you are arguing with the designer and creator of all - God Himself.

Pray, and seek help in "Courage".

Peace and love,

Joan Aprietti

Dear Joan,

The passage against homosexuality in Leviticus is laughable.

Neither Paul nor John had access to the kind of technology we have now. It should be noted that Jesus only makes two statements about sex:

1. Look at someone with lust in your heart who you are not married to and you have committed adultery.

2. Let the person without sin be the first to cast a stone.

In short, we know that even the Gospels, as was just everything else, were messed with, in violation of the Holy Spirit, for sexist, racist, and political reasons.

As usual, when referring to a "disordered state", the Church gets the science wrong. Thankfully, even though it takes a long time, the Church corrects these errors.

I'm looking through the Catechism and I can find nothing to suggest that homosexuality arises through a childhood experience.

Homosexual sex among consenting adults no more endangers your soul than eating chocolate ice cream. Using a pastor/follower relationship to guarantee homosexual sex not only puts yours but other souls in jeopardy.

The Jesuits taught to seek ultimate truth and the Holy Spirit will lead us there. I get angry when some use their "faith" to hide truth.

Bigotry is bigotry; hatred is hatred no matter how cute you dress it up.

Lastly, your version of what "God" said and/or wants is what we base our laws on. We have science for that.

Dear Bobby,

We are all given a cross to bear, and a weakness, in my case many weaknesses. Make no mistake that ALL temptation comes from the devil. Not our genes. You may have a dispostion towards a sin, but it aint genes that make you do it. We are all damaged goods, thanks to Adam. We all suffer from original sin. The devil knows our weakness, porn, homosexuality, vanity, whatever it's all the same.

The fact is that we must fight it. How? Two prayers that will change your life.

Precious Blood wash over me, protect me from the snares of the devil, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, St Maria Goretti, gaurdian Angel, help me.

Now think about something else, like canoeing, running, or something really fun you like to do that is also wholesome. Day dream about it until the temptation has past.

Also, to banish a demon who is tomenting you with temptation and thoughts.

In the name of my Lord Jesus, I bind you spirit of (whatever it is) and send you to the foot of the cross to be judged by my lord.

So in this case, In the name of my Lord Jesus, I bind you spirit of homosexual thoughts and send you to the foot of the cross to be judged by my Lord.

This works for everything, all temptations. Also as far as changing Churches remember that all the great saints and Doctors of the Church say that there is no salvation outside of the Holy Catholic Church. Better safe than sorry if you ask me.

Christ founded our Church, and he promised the gates of hell will not prevail. So keep your faith, ditch the temptation, you can still have a holy and happy life.
Peace of Christ to you.

Philippians 4:5 Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh

Spiritually Yours
Brother Francis

Thirteen years of Catholic education has taught me Jesus was more opposed to self-righteousness than homosexuality.
Those of us who are criticized for having positions on homosexuality that don't jibe with those on earth who seek to enforce their interpretation of the Bible upon (and feel their ironclad views are the ONLY Christian ones) are quite willing to take our chances at the Pearly Gates, thank you very much.

Dear Francis and Joan,

I'm not a homosexual. Not yesterday, not today, won't be tomorrow. The thought if it sickens me.

Since no one plans to stab me because I won't sleep with them, I'll stick with my usual list of Saints. However, should I ever be in the position, I'll pray to Saint Maria.

The fact that you think I am just because I choose to stand up for those who are tells me what kind of bigotry you'll enter to. Once again, it's that splinter/plank thing.

What has happened to the integrity of Man? This is the age
of moral relativism where men of conscience have become
rebuked to silence by the practitioners of political correctness
in the guise of not offending anyone. This noise is also the wail
of those who wish to dethrone any concept of God especially on the issues of homosexuality and abortion. Most of these people operate in a world of ignorance because, in all the noise, the thoughtful concepts of righteousness are not heard.

As Christians, we can still love the man or person, but deplore
immoral actions, words, and circumstances. We must be able to
faithfully rebuke the actions of the Devil and acknowledge the
Holiness of God. We need not be able to evangelize by quoting
scripture by chapter and verse, nor to reiterate the scripted
theology as preached in the pulpits of the church. But we should
try to voice, with thoughtful reason and argument, promote the
ideals of what is right and just. When the voices of justice
and reason are presented, the mercies of God will also be made
known through our actions. If we keep silent, how then will
the world be changed?

It is often difficult to let the Lord be our Protector.

We can take the ridicule and blasphemy, but we must also speak
out like those before us, in order to be worthy of the ridicule.
We should not be silenced by reason of political correctness
or threats of abuses. Let our voices be heard. We should also
strive to live a life of upright conduct, so that our words
do not make a mockery of our deeds. Let us each make our own
statements of reasoned morality, and not be lulled to sleep by
the quiet and peace of a congregation.

What ever happened to the Law of Moses, the Ten Commandments,
and the Deuteronomic Codes. They should still be promoted as
the foundation of justice. God is the Merciful, and will show
his mercies, even in death. We should promote life, especially
a thoughtful, righteous, and spiritual life. Our body politic
is sick and dying. It needs the prescriptions offered by the
divine physicians, the prophets, the believers, the saints,
and the brothers and sisters of God. Let us all do our part!

Prayers are not enough! Let us raise our voices! Let us write our letters!
Help us talk to strangers, but protect the children and the infirm.

Sincerely,
Steven J. Hathaway

Dear Stephen,

When you are talking about actual sin, I agree with everything you say.

However, homosexuality is a matter of science and therefore not sin. It is time for you to evolve on this issue.

I know it's scary. I also know it's closer to the universal truth.

Bobby,
Remind me again why you are Catholic even though your opinion of sexuality is diametrically opposed to that of the Catholic Church and given that you think that "even the Gospels, as was just everything else, were messed with, in violation of the Holy Spirit, for sexist, racist, and political reasons." It seems the very foundation of your belief system (the Gospels) is predicated on doctrine that has in your opinion been wrong for over 2000 years. I find it rather striking that you just "know" whatever Jesus had in mind 2000+ years ago even though it's been filtered through stuff that's been messed with for sexist, racist, and political reasons.

I mean, here you question and even doubt the truth of everything from the Gospels to the Catholic doctrine and yet you question not the truth divined by whatever science told you that homosexuality was genetic.

Dear Smmtheory,

There is science, or in some cases, history, and then there is faith.

The science tells us that the Church is a mess and a lot of things are just plain confused.

The faith tells us that there is power in the Eucharist.

Personally, I can witness to the power of the Eucharist. However, I can't make any laws about it. I can relate stories when asked.

It is understanding the difference between the two that either proves you to be rational and thnking or just mindlessly accepting that which is spoon fed.

I just happen to be ahead of the curve. Like every other time, probably 300 or so years from now, the Church will evolve and the teachings will change.

That which man can, the Gospels or the teachings, man will alter. That which man cannot, the Eucharist, will stay resolute.

I stay a Catholic almost for the Eucharist alone now although bringing back the Latin Mass would be a major step in the right direction. The sex scandal influences what I believe about the creatures who run the Church, not the Eucharist.

St. Thomas teaches us that faith and reason must be harmonius. Subjugating what God reveals to us through science in order to live out some superstition is just wrong.

I don't question the faith; I just question the earthly leadership.
Two examples: Tobin has big problems with homnosexuality, but doesn't seem to have an issue with the casino - curious. And Law's enabling of the priest sex abuse scandal.
Sometimes it's necessary to separate God's authority from the man-made authority of bishops, cardinals and, alas, popes. They are human. They rose to their positions through skillful maneuvering on the political currents. I don't put blind faith in their infallibility any more than I would in an elected official.

Bobby,
Church doctrine did not develop in a vacuum. The foundation came from millinnea of Jewish theological understanding. In the past, whenever there was an excessive amount of pressure on the Church to evolve, people wanting the evolution to happen usually went their separate way from the Church... like the Protestants did.

Now all you have to do is practice what St. Thomas tried to teach you and quit throwing out faith (the faith of our fathers) at the merest hint of science that lacks reason.

You and Rhody lack the proper perspective on the heirarchy of the church. The Pope sees his job as that of a servant to the whole church, not as a leader, as do the majority of the Cardinals, Bishops and Priests. There may be some who do not hold that perspective, the ones who try to work the system like a political machine. It has been my observation that those people usually find themselves stymied by the Holy Spirit. So if you lack faith in the leadership of the church, look to yourselves. Men are not in charge of the Church, God is.

Dear Smmtheory,

So you're telling me that the foundation of Catholic Faith is indeed pro-choice?

By the way, are you really familiar with the history of the Church? Your post seems to suggest you're not.

St. Thomas taught us always to accept science as reason. They must be together with faith. To throw out science to prop up supersition is just simple mindedness. To not understand that some things are beyond current science, or matters of faith alone, is very egotistical.

There is no honor in devising schemes to justify sexism and corruption. There is no glory in protecting the pedophile.

As someone who was an altar boy for 10 years and had a Cardinal in his family growing up, please don't tell me about perspective. Like most of your silly posts, it's insulting.

Yes Bobby, I am familiar with the history of the Church. I researched it thoroughly before I decided to become a Catholic. That's why I realize the difference between the history of the Church and the history of the men and women participating in the Church. You think it's insulting when I tell you that people cannot undermine the Holy Spirit in it's guidance of the Church? Maybe you had best get use to being insulted, for that time when you find out that mere men aren't able to thwart God's plan like you insinuate.

Dear Smmtheory,

Thought you studied this stuff. If so, what happened to free will?? Under your scenario, it no longer exists.

So when Pope Paul II was engaging in Homosexuality, that was due to the guidance of the Holy Spirit?

Pope Pius the VI was told by the Holy Spirit to hate Jews? (I know, picking on one of the Pius's isn't fair because they all sucked)

So Pope's that hung out with prostitutes, committed murder, practiced idolatry, practiced Satanism all did so because the Holy Spirit guided them to?

No Bobby, under my "scenario" free will does not cease to exist. The Holy Spirit has kept the doctrine of the Church from taint despite whatever has been done by the men and women in Church offices. The Holy Spirit has kept the Church holy despite whatever men and women have done while being a part of it. God can work with saint and sinner to carry out his will. That's the way it's always been, and that's the way it will be from now on.