Bishops break ranks on homosexuals.

Perhaps it was bound to happen, in view of the tremendous pressure the homosexual lobby is exerting today, but it is sad and extremely dangerous for the Church nevertheless. Two American bishops (out of 387), Matthew Clark of Rochester and Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit, have thrown down the gauntlet and publicly sided with "gays" and lesbians, demanding that the Catholic Church cease "oppressing" them, recognize their "rights," and accept their lifestyle.

If this matter is left to the Vatican alone, while American (and Canadian) bishops sit by in studied indifference, it may lead to an explosive situation. It is very unlikely that either man will back down easily, now that they have broken ranks and unity with their fellow bishops--as Bishop Gaillot did in France before he was deposed.

The two prelates raised doubts about the correctness of Church teaching that homosexual orientation is a disorder and homosexual activity unnatural. They suggested that this teaching may change, and that homophobia rather than homosexuality is the real problem; moreover, they invited gays and lesbians to "come out," and take their "rightful" places in the Church. The heart of their case appears to rest in No. 2358 of the Catholic Catechism, which says that persons "do not choose their homosexual condition." This, the two bishops say, is new teaching.

Rochester, NY - On March 1, Bishop Clark celebrated Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral for 1300 "gays," lesbians and their "families." Well advertised beforehand, they came from as far away as Buffalo and Syracuse, some dressed in leather and chains, many coming as couples holding hands, women out-numbering men three to one, all being welcomed effusively, first by fifteen priests in attendance and then by Bishop Clark and his female master of ceremonies. The bishop joked and was full of good cheer; several times he referred to "their integrity, goodness and wonderful gifts" for the community, in an address which was enthusiastically interrupted by applause.

At Communion time everyone--Catholics, non-Catholics, non-Christians--came forward. Two men received the Host from the bishop and then faced each other, and gave each other the Host. Many lesbians followed this example. There was much kissing and holding of hands.

Outside the Cathedral some 80 demonstrators gave witness to the Church's true teaching. It would have been more courageous for the bishop, to tell the group, said one, "that if you are not in the state of grace you can't receive the body and blood of Christ." But the bishop made no such announcement.

One group was not present: those with a homosexual orientation who are trying to live according to the Church's teaching, as do the members of Courage.

Pittsburgh, PA - Shortly after his Mass for "gays" and lesbians, Bishop Clark joined Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Gumbleton at a New Ways Ministry (NWM) Conference in Pittsburgh. NWM, under Catholic leaders, opposes the Church's teaching on homosexuality.

Both bishops encouraged homosexuals to be openly active in the Church and predicted that in time the Church would approve of homosexual unions.

Francis DeBernardo, head of NWM told a reporter that nearly half the 655 people attending the conference were Catholic priests or nuns. Perhaps 75% of the participants, he thought, were engaged in religious education or diocesan ministry. In other words, they will go back to their diocesan jobs to spread the message of dissent.

The conference was an organized demonstration of opposition to Church teaching; Sister Margaret Farley of Yale Divinity School, for example, made the assertion that "None of the sources of Christian ethics, I would argue, yields reasons to condemn homosexual acts or relationships as such."

Bishop Gumbleton backed his support for homosexuals by quoting #2358 of the Catholic Catechism, "The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. They do not choose their homosexual condition. . . They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of discrimination in their regard must be avoided."

The bishop pointedly avoided the paragraphs of the Catechism immediately preceding and following this one, which say that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered, that they are acts of grave depravity, and that the homosexual person is called to chastity. Bishop Clark, like Bishop Gumbleton, made statements suggesting that an issue which has been settled for 2000 years, is now subject to change!

During question period when Bishop Clark was asked what he thought of Bishop Gumbleton's invitation to "gay" priests to come out of the closet and how the term "gay" was to be understood here, he speculated that Bishop Gumbleton might have been referring to homosexual priests who were living a celibate life. This further confused the issue because the "gay" community uses the term "gay" for homosexuals actively seeking relationships with other men. (CWN, Mar 20 `97;Wanderer, March 13 and 20; Catholic Register, March 17 and 24).

The detailed reports of The Wanderer on these and related developments are available from C. I. @ $3.00 per copy. See related article by Dr. John Shea, "Is anyone predestined to homosexuality"? next in this issue.