Reply #144: Oh, WHO's misrepresenting?? [View All]

[Eloriel]

I resent your assertion that I am badgering him.

If you read your OWN posts, you'll see that my "assertion" is better characterized as an apt observation.

Rather, I'm simply frustrated because the implication is that there is something the rest of us can do to influence Vatican statements, when there is not. If the point is simply to air frustration, very well. I wonder though, why that opposition is limited to Catholics?

If you're so frustrated, if you're so damn sure there's NOTHING that can be done to influence the Church, now or later, then butt out. YOU'RE accomplishing nothing here.

I do not defend homophobia on the part of the Church.

Actually, you do.

My point is simply that I and other Catholic have no influence over the statements of the Vatican. If the point is to effect some change, the political avenue is far more promising. If you want to communicate concerns to the Vatican, I provide the Pope's email is below.

If you can't be counted on to work in favor of influencing the Church, then you are part of the problem, you are guilty by ommission, and thereby are complicit: SILENCE CONDONES. Never forget that.

It's also not true that the Church can't be reached via the efforts of the laity. The Vatican and Ratzinger may appear to turn a deaf ear, especially as you say, to American Catholics, but you go back and remember and think about the public outcry over the pedophilia mess, and how the Church most certainly DID respond to public pressure there -- not well enough, IMO, but respond it did. And respond it will in the future if there's enough public outcry and pressure.