Good news: Wisconsin priest tells parishioners hes gay, gets ovation

[guillaumeb]

From the article:

The Rev. Gregory Greiten disclosed his sexual orientation on Sunday (Dec. 17) to the St. Bernadette Parish and was greeted with a standing ovation from his parishioners, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. He also wrote a column that was published Monday in the National Catholic Reporter.

To read more:

http://religionnews.com/2017/12/20/wisconsin-priest-tells-parishioners-hes-gay-gets-ovation/

[Voltaire2]

1. lol read the comments

homophobia is alive and well in the RCC.

[guillaumeb]

2. It is alive and well nearly everywhere.

But we must fight intolerance, and this is a victory in that battle.

[Voltaire2]

4. No it isn't. Society in general has changed dramatically.

In 2001 people in the US opposed gay marriage 57% to 35%. "Based on polling in 2017, a majority of Americans (62%) support same-sex marriage, while 32% oppose it." -PEW

That is a complete turnaround.

So who still opposes it? Glad you asked.

Age is a factor, but by 2017 more than half of the baby boomers supported marriage equality.

Race is a factor, but again by 2017 both white and non-white majorities supported equality.

Uh-oh, yup, religion, party identification, and ideology are the categories where bigotry remains rampant.

Evangelical protestants of any race remain majority opposed to equality. The unaffiliated "nones" are 85% in favor of equality.

Same with self identified Republicans and conservatives.

[Binkie The Clown]

3. How is a gay celibate different from a straight celibate?

If the priest is celibate why does it matter? Or is gay celibacy different some how from straight celibacy?

It's like asking an honest person if they are a non-bank robber or a non-embezzler. Someone admits he's a non-arsonist, so what? We already knew he was an honest man. What do we care what kind of crime he refrains from?

A priest says he's gay. So what? We already knew he was celibate. Why do we care what kind of sex he refrains from?

[guillaumeb]

5. It is important to recognize sexuality,

and validate it as well in all of its forms. Our sexuality is a huge part of who we are, agreed/

[AtheistCrusader]

9. Uh, the priesthood explicitly rejects sexuality.

So uh... you post is confusing.

[trotsky]

10. And the RCC explicitly rejects sexuality for anyone who is not a partner in a heterosexual marriage.

OP is very confused about what constitutes "good news."

[AtheistCrusader]

11. When it comes to government, any gains are worth celebrating. Australia this year, for instance.

Because you can't opt out of governance of human society.

But religions? You can walk away at any time. They are fully unnecessary. Entirely elective. It is not important, in any sense of the word, that XYZ religion experiences any sort of improvement however large or small, in this regard.

They are unnecessary and internal change within, say, the RCC is of no significance.

It doesn't even matter if they pull their heads out of their asses and let Women serve in the priesthood. Sure, it's an example of diversity and gender equality, but on the other hand, who gives a shit? They've invented an artificial social role with artificial requirements around who can and cannot perform that role, and it matters not in the slightest if they make a change to it.

It is of no material importance to humanity, whatsoever.

[Lordquinton]

6. That's the only way it's acceptable to the RCC

There are attempts to diminish the fact that they have homophobia enshrined in their dogma, so it has to be reiterated every time the subject comes up.

[Irish_Dem]

7. Priests take a vow of celibacy when they receive Holy Orders.

When this priest disclosed his sexual orientation, I think he wanted his parishioners to know he had not broken his vows.

[trotsky]

8. That this needs to be celebrated as such a unique and wonderful event is the real story.

Of course the last paragraph is the most telling one:

“We support Father Greiten in his own personal journey and telling his story of coming to understand and live with his sexual orientation,” (Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome) Listecki said in a statement Monday. “As the Church teaches, those with same-sex attraction must be treated with understanding and compassion.”

Let us not forget, it's still the official teaching of the RCC that homosexuality is "intrinsically disordered" and that in order to live as a Catholic in good standing, anyone who is attracted to the same sex must deny themselves a full, loving relationship in this life.

Celebrate the priest's announcement, sure, but don't whitewash the reality here.