Catholic Sen. Supports Marriage Equality, Leaves Parish.

[William769]

For state Sen. Debbie Regala of Tacoma, only the venue has changed. Crossing the parking lot shared by St. Leo Church and the Tahoma Family Center, a group of nonprofits housed in the former parish school, we step into the simple sanctuary. Dark beams anchoring the low-slung ceiling soar overhead; the nave, flowing wide rather than long, is framed by pews, a modest organ, and slim panels of stained glass. At its entrance, an astonishingly large stone-lined baptismal pool beckons as water does; one wonders how parishioners keep children from splashing in it.

St. Leo represents a spiritual home for many people of diverse views and backgrounds, and Regala, a devout Catholic, now counts herself among that number. Her decision to join this parish in the heart of Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood and leave her former church — a beloved faith community she first joined over 40 years ago — wasn’t easily reached, yet it’s a change Regala has not only come to accept, but embraces.

What set this departure in motion was a decision related to her work rather than her faith: Regala’s vote on Feb.13 in favor of Senate Bill 6239, legislation that will extend the right of marriage to same-sex couples if Referendum 74 is passed this fall.

Shortly after that vote, and to her surprise, Regala received a flurry of emails from fellow parishioners — friends, acquaintances, and lesser-known church members — expressing criticism of her position on this issue. Well-versed in the process of responding to constituents’ feedback, both positive and negative, after almost two decades of experience as an elected official, Regala felt that these messages had entered, literally, a sacred place.

http://crosscut.com/2012/09/07/rights-ethics/110351/catholic-referendum-74-regala-gay-marriage/?page=single

This is just sad. I glad she found another Church where she feels comfortable. For people that don't believe in God, leaving a Church after that long a period of time can be heart wrenching.

[11cents]

1. That's my home town.

Even way back in my day, St. Leo's was known as the most liberal, welcoming Catholic church there.

[HockeyMom]

2. Catholic Republican State Senators in NY

were the deciding votes. I wrote emails to them as a Native New Yorker living in Florida with children, including gay, in NY. One was also an attorney. I quoted Mildred Loving's statement to him. He personally wrote back to me and said while his faith was against marriage equality, as a lawyer, he had to disgread his religion, and had to vote purely on the legalities, and as a representative of ALL people in his district, not just those of his own faith. I was very impressed with what he said, but then again, he was a NE Republican, and schooled in law.

Wish I had saved that email.

[William769]

3. They are catching hell for it now.

Even though they are Republicans, they did the right thing and of course the smear campaign against them now is disgusting!

I won't post any of it here, but I will give you a link to see what it is. http://www.advocate.com/politics/election/2012/09/11/antigay-mailers-flood-new-york-senate-races

[HockeyMom]

5. They can, pardon my language, kiss my FORMER CATHOLIC ASS

and that of my VOTING, NON-CATHOLIC kids, straight and gay too. They got it from my married straight daughter for their anti-contraception, and my gay daughter, for their bigoted anti-marriage equality. Take away their TAX EXEMPT STATUS.

You couldn't pay me, or my kids, a million dollars to set foot in a Catholic Church. Hear, that one, Dolan??????

Sorry, it makes me furious.

[gopiscrap]

4. St. Leo's is a wonderful aprish

I think she was in St. Pat's which is a regressive, entrenched anti abortion redneck parish. Regala is a great senator.