Archbishop Milktoast - Part Two

"Even though we supporters of Proposition 8 did not intend to hurt or offend our opponents, still many of them, especially in the gay community, feel hurt and offended," the archbishop wrote, then asked, "What is to be done?"

CALIF-PROP8 Dec-3-2008 (820 words) xxxn

Archbishop (Niederauer) asks for tolerance of differing views in same-sex debate

By Dan Morris-Young
Catholic News Service

SAN FRANCISCO (CNS) -- San Francisco's archbishop has appealed to people on both sides of the same-sex marriage issue to be tolerant of each other, to "disagree without being disagreeable" and not presume to know "the real motives" behind people's viewpoint.

"We need to stop hurling names like 'bigot' and 'pervert' at each other. And we need to stop it now," Archbishop George H. Niederauer said Dec. 1 in an open letter.

Voters in the state Nov. 4 passed a ballot initiative called Proposition 8, which is a constitutional amendment to define marriage as only "valid and recognized" if between a man and a woman.

Since Election Day there have been vigorous protests against the outcome in California and around the country by gay rights supporters.

Some of the demonstrations have targeted churches and in particular Mormon temples, because the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a major funder of a campaign supporting the measure. The Catholic Church and other denominations also supported it.

On Nov. 19 the California Supreme Court agreed to decide constitutional issues stemming from voters' approval of the initiative but has denied requests to suspend enforcement of the initiative until the questions are resolved.

In his open letter, posted on the Archdiocese of San Francisco's Web site, www.sfarchdiocese.org, the archbishop said people "need to stop talking as if we are experts on the real motives of people with whom we have never even spoken."

He said that "tolerance, respect and trust are always two-way streets" and called on "churchgoers" to "speak and act out on the truth that all people are God's children and are unconditionally loved by God."

"Whoever they are, and whatever their circumstances, their spiritual and pastoral rights should be respected, together with their membership in the church," he wrote. "In that spirit, with God's grace and much prayer, perhaps we can all move forward together."

In the letter, the archbishop also:

-- Stated that the Archdiocese of San Francisco "did not donate or transfer any archdiocesan funds" to support Proposition 8.

-- Strongly criticized "voices in the wider community" which charged Proposition 8 backers with "hatred, prejudice and bigotry."

-- Defended faith communities' involvement in the political arena.

-- Underscored Proposition 8 backers' "defense of the traditional understanding and definition of marriage" as their motivation, rather than seeking to attack "any group" or "to deprive others of their civil rights."

Apparently responding to media claims that he had called on contacts within the Mormon church from his 11 years as bishop of Salt Lake City for help in the Proposition 8 campaign, the archbishop wrote, "I did write to them and they urged the members of their church, especially those in California, to become involved."

Mormon financial backing of Proposition 8 has been reported at $22 million of the roughly $35 million raised to promote the constitutional amendment. Total spending for both sides of the campaign surpassed $75 million; it is said to be the costliest initiative campaign in U.S. history.

"It is important to point out here that a wide range of churches became active in favor of Proposition 8 in addition to Catholics and LDS members," Archbishop Niederauer said.

"Even though we supporters of Proposition 8 did not intend to hurt or offend our opponents, still many of them, especially in the gay community, feel hurt and offended," the archbishop wrote, then asked, "What is to be done?"

The full article can be found at:

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0806068.htm

The text of Archbishop Milktoast's letter at:

http://www.sfarchdiocese.org/about-us/news/?i=1505

This what Archbishop Niederauer is asking us to be tolerant of, Gads!

( I would add that this was the least graphic of the Church mocking photos I could find from San Francisco.)

Comments

[Monica]

Yeah... and he's absolutely right... Christ was mocked too

[Atlanta Catholic]

Archbishop Niederauer and now Cardinal Mahony have both made statements about not meaning to hurt or offend the feelings or dignity of activist homosexuals. How about writing a letter apologizing for the hurt, pain and death that innocent unborn babies will experience because they failed to teach Catholics how to form a proper conscience and taught them how to defend abortion with loopholes. The "squeaky wheel activist" gets the grease. Meanwhile, the "silent screams of the unborn" are ignored as not even low but no priority in the seamless garment of issues. How about their feelings and dignity?

[James Rich]

"EVERYONE" needs to calm down? Is that right? Where are the Christian churches invading/protesting bathhouses and gay bars and gay activist groups? I've seen gay activists invading streets and stopping traffic, ripping the crucifix out of an old lady's hand, and generally attempting to intimidate religious folks. And one guy uses the word pervert (where exactly was that, Bishop?) and both sides are equally culpable in all this post-8 acrimony? My goodness. Where on earth do you get that one!! Good use of moral equivalence, your Grace.

I guess you feel by condemning both sides you'll be seen as an even-handed moral authority and spared those nasty accusations of being homophobic. How has that been working out up there, Bishop?

[Joseph D'Hippolito]

Loyola98, I think you are misreading this story, and I voted for Prop. 8 and would do so again. I see Nierderauer as trying to defend those who supported the proposition (especially the Mormon community) and criticizing the behavior of gay thugs without calling them gay thugs (as the archbishop of S.F., he would have far more problems on his hands if he had been more direct). Given the location of his see, and given the fanaticism of gay activists, he has to be diplomatic.

As far as asking Christians to understand that all are children of God and are unconditionally loved by God, Niederhauer needs to realize that only those who have been redeemed by Christ can be called children of God, and that God's unconditional love is to encourage them to repent through Christ, not to keep on sinning. Of course, he's also asking Christians not to exacerbate the situation.

Anyone who visits this blog knows I have little respect or use for the American hierarchy. Nevertheless, Catholics have to realize the virtually untenable position Niederhauer is in, acting as he does with virtually no support from the rest of Metropolitan S.F.

[Joseph D'Hippolito]

Besides, if the Church is going to convert gays out of homosexuality, confrontation might not necessarily work, given the number and increasing tolerance for gay thugs in society in general.

[Simple soul]

Perhaps the Archbishop is trying to have us all remain calm and serene when witnessing to Truth so our Witness cannot be dismissed. The secular media delight in reporting any Catholic witness if the language is heated and if personal abuse is used.These are very difficult times and it can be difficult to get the right balance We don't want to be lukewarm and be appeasement catholics who lose their saltiness in their efforts to be accepted by the secular world.On the other hand we don't want to lack compassion or charity towards our fellow sinners.If an elderly lady has a rosary whipped out of her hands by a gay activist it is assault and a case should be brought against the perpetrator for assault and theft and violation of her civil right to practise her faith without interference.

[anthony]

I would be more tolerant of these weirdos if they were on the proper meds.

[T. Shaw]

I'm trying to reconcile the disparate treatment between gay activists trashing religious services and elderly women being locked up for praying outside abortion factories.

Maybe someone with an Osama bumper sticker can explain it.

[Patt S.]

Calm down, as the ship sinks?--I don't think that is a good idea. Those that should calm down don't so it seems more like the message is for the followers of Christ to "backdown".

[Joseph D'Hippolito]

The archbishop might want to arrange a public meeting with Mormons and evangelical Protestants who supported Prop. 8 -- and San Francisco's chief of police. The purpose? To state jointly that any attacks on houses of worship or their patrons will not be tolerated and will result in arrest.

I live in Metropolitan Los Angeles and about a week after this proposition passed, gay activists protested en masse in front of the Mormon Temple in Los Angeles. The protest was peaceful but intense. If any gay activists, especially in S.F., want to intimidate their opponents, they should get a wake-up call.

[Terry Nelson]

Cardinal Mahoney always takes the prize in the milk-toast category, don't you think?

[joanne]

I was encouraged by Cardinal N's letter. As I read it, he's not backing down; he's promoting the peaceful acceptance of the absolute truth that marriage must involve one man and one woman.
Marriage has WON in California! This is a great triumph, one that renews our hope.
It would do no good--in fact harm would come to the vulnerable and innocent believers-- if the cardinal were to gloat or rub salt in the wounds of those who relied on different results from the vote. I think his words showed prudence, even if they weren't strong enough for some.
Maybe some patience is in order, at least while viewing the still-smoking battlefield. Meanwhile, many prayers are being said for California. What happens there affects all Americans.

[QuantaCura01]

Bishop John Steinbock of Fresno Ca. recently read a pastoral letter on the diocese television station , a station the faithful are forced to pay for but nobody watches, regarding proposition 8. Steinbock spoke the same rubbish that all are welcome etc. etc. It was basically an apology for the citizens of California passing proposition 8. Then again, Steinbock has a history of protecting homosexual clergy in the diocese.

[Warren]

Confrontation as a mode of communication doesn't work to convince or convert, I agree. However, neither should we shrink from proposing the Gospel in a timely, uncompromising and sustained manner. As our Holy Father Benedict XVI has reminded us, dialogue must be predicated on the truth. I cannot help but think that if Catholics, especially our leadership, had been proactive and spoken boldly in public and insisted on authoritative catechesis among Catholics rather than fumbling around with an inoffensive and politically correct message during the past 30 years, we might not have to be fighting what seems like a rear guard action to defend what should be a common sensical understanding of marriage, sexuality, etc.

Some may be offended by talk of entering through the narrow gate. We are doing no one a favor by sweet talking sinners. Remember, before the Good News, we must be "confronted" with the bad news - sin is real. Take a look around dear bishops, and call everyone to conversion! We need God's mercy, otherwise we are damned.

[James Rich]

Jake the Fake,

What exactly you find so "priceless" I can only imagine. God forbid -- or might I say Obama's Judges forbid -- we get to talk about our Catholic faith here. You make no explanations or defend your snide post-and-run.

Feel free to come back when you're ready to actually make and defend a point of view. I suspect you didn't because you can't.

[Joe of St. Therese]

The Truth is devisive, and sometimes offensive. Especially to those who don't want to repent of their ways.

Pray for the Abp, he's in a lose lose situation in SF. He is right, name calling won't get us anywhere. Teaching the Truth in charity will.

[ATHELSTAN]

I love that photo of the bishop in drag. He represents so many of the hierarchy who delight in parading in their cappa magna, purple pantaloons, and lacey undies. Who likes all that jazz more than the Roman pontiff himself.
It takes a gay man to capture the truth every now and then as only they can do it.

Gays aren't the only thugs in this fight. The pope needs to excommunicate right-wing thugs and gay bashers we find amongst clergy and laity alike. Don't forget at the very least 35% of the clergy are themselves gay, and I would think most have been sexually active at least once.

There is nothing more pitiful than to hear priests and bishops bashing them from the pulpit, or from other media. Perhaps, a sign of self-loathing and a feeble attempt to cover up their own guilt and hypocrisey.

Viva archbishop Niederauer!!

[Marie]

Read the story again and click on the links. The Archbishop is actually defending proponents of Prop. 8. You've got to read between the lines. The gays are calling the rest of us "bigots" and the archbishop is warning them against that.

Listen and read the rest of the story carefully via the link:

The Archbishop:

"- Strongly criticized "voices in the wider community" which charged Proposition 8 backers with "hatred, prejudice and bigotry."

-- Defended faith communities' involvement in the political arena.

-- Underscored Proposition 8 backers' "defense of the traditional understanding and definition of marriage" as their motivation, rather than seeking to attack "any group" or "to deprive others of their civil rights."

"Apparently responding to media claims that he had called on contacts within the Mormon church from his 11 years as bishop of Salt Lake City for help in the Proposition 8 campaign, the archbishop wrote, "I did write to them and they urged the members of their church, especially those in California, to become involved."

If you know SF as I do, you'll know that this Archbishop is one courageous guy.

[Greg]

Just to keep things in perspective, please consider that over the weekend of December 13 two incidents occurred. In Richmond California a woman was identified as a lesbian (sticker on her car, perhaps a short haircut) by a group of thugs who gang raped her. In NYC a Catholic family man was walking arm in arm with his brother when 3 guys jumped out of a car yelling homophobic slurs. His brother got away but his funeral mass was held a few days later at his parish church in Queens.

[rootofjesse]

How about separating the sin from the sinner? As Catholics, we are to love all of our neighbors, but that doesn't mean we have to approve or accept their sin. Homosexuality, or, more precisely, the practice thereof, is sinful. We do not hate the person, nor do we condone the sin they are committing. I'd like Fr. Corapi to contact the California Bishop's Conference and remind them of the difference.

[Simple soul]

"Root of Jesse" is right, we must never lose sight of the importance of rejecting sin whilst maintaining Christ's love and compassion for the sinner.

[Loyolalaw98]

Dominic,

Your passion over this issue is palpable, but neither "root of jesse" nor "simple sinner" deserve your hyperbole.

It is NOT an undercutting of Catholic teaching to make a distinction between the sin of homosexuality and an actual person with homosexual tendencies, or using their parlance to "condemn the sin and not the sinner."

Loyolalaw98

[Simple soul]

rootof jesse has hit the nail on the head we have to keep restating this