Pope’ Effort To Unite Conservatives By Promoting Discrimination Is Divisive, Says TWO
Truth Wins Out today condemned the Vatican’ effort to steal conservative members of the Anglican Church by promising that Rome will remain hostile against women and gay people. In his naked appeal to prejudice, the Pope solidified his reputation as a divisive figure that is out of touch with modern society, said TWO.
“The Vatican’ efforts to unite conservatives through “The Dogma of Discrimination’ is disgraceful,” “said Wayne Besen, Truth Wins Out’ Executive Director. “Bonding through bigotry against women and gay people seems to be the Vatican’ strategy to lure disaffected Anglicans. The Catholic Church is defining itself by who it stands against, rather than the principles it stands for.”
In a divisive move that will likely set back relations between Anglicans and Roman Catholics, Pope Benedict XVI ordered the Vatican to create a new plan to incorporate Anglicans and enable the faith’ married priests to transition into Catholic clerics.
Rome’ opportunistic recruitment plan is in response to fissures in the Anglican Church over allowing gay bishops and ordaining women. In the 1990′ social conservatives were angered when the Anglican Church allowed women to become clergy. They went ballistic in 2003 when openly gay V. Gene Robinson was selected 
as Bishop of New Hampshire. Since then, conservative Episcopal factions in America — egged on by anti-gay peers in developing countries — have threatened to bolt and take every bit of property that isn’t bolted down to the church floor. During this crucial time period, Rowan Williams, (Pictured Right) Archbishop of Canterbury, refused to take a firm stand against discrimination, while also failing to placate conservatives.
Tags: discrimination, dogma, gay, lesbian GLBT, Pope Benedict XVI, religion, Roman Catholic Church, Rowan Williams, Truth Wins Out, Wayne Besen“The feckless and ineffectual leadership of Rowan Williams opened to door for the Vatican’ unseemly power grab,” said TWO’ Besen. “When one stands for nothing, the void is always filled by those with a more lucid vision. At an historic time when the Anglican Church needed a leader, it got a lemming, and so it is not surprising that the Pope moved to fill the leadership vacuum.”
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I saw this same thing going on when I was Orthodox Christian years ago. All the Episcpalians who were upset because the Episcopal Church decided to ordain women and work towards treating LGBTQ people in the Church as full members of the Body of Christ flocked to Orthdoxy, which if nothing else, is virulently sexist and homophobic.
Now Bennie XVI is doing the same thing. Well, I guess with Catholics bailing out, he has to find a “base” somewhere. I must say I was dismayed, but not surprised, to see this development. Instead of seeking to bring out the best in people, some parts of Christianity seek to bring out the worst.
Comment by Merlyn — October 22, 2009 @ 4:04 am
I posted this comment below regarding Benedict XVI and Anglicans on ->
An Inch At A Time: Reflections on the Journey: Integrity USA President Rev. Susan Russell
Benedict XVI is surprised that his hierarchy in the USA cannot hold the Catholics in line. It has been reported in the news media that the more Catholics there are in a state the better chances that state will pass Marriage Equality.
I am sure this is very upsetting to Benedict XVI, “the misguided infallible.” You all have taught us by example what true infallibility is this summer. It is studying an issue discussing it with everyone having I sure many heated debates. Together you all come together, as a well represented group of members in prayer and more debates and make a decision. That’ infallibility!!! And your other opposing Church members know this. You could not have represented a more vivid picture of the true meaning of “Church” for us Catholics to mirror. You all out did the spectacular “Disneyland.” Anaheim now will always remind me of you.
I said this before that because last year this time California did a remarkable job explaining the importance of Marriage Equality and even though you lost by a very small margin, you also taught the world the same.
With Benedict XVI latest public blunder, like a misbehaving child, he slapped up his members and lost them though they have stay in the same house. Upset that they will not follow him, he now is going to show them by inviting new people into his house to follow him. I do not believe that Anglicans are that gullible to be sucker in by such baloney.
However, I do believe that it may play an important part in the unity of your Church. I think it is showing how unfair some of your members have become that they are sinking to the level of Benedict XVI. It may be just the thing that will help to unify your members. Bing Crosby (and Doris Day, also) sang this song “Would you like to swing on a star.” It so vividly keeps coming my mind about this public situation. My godmother who I adored as child use to sing this song to me. I do not think any of your members want to be a mule with all due respect like Benedict XVI. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy-wWUNtwy8
“Would you like to swing on a star
carry moonbeams home in a jar
and be better off than you are
or would you rather be a mule”
“A mule is an animal with long funny ears
he kicks up at anything he hears
His back is brawny but his brain is weak
he’s just plain stupid with a stubborn streak
and by the way if you hate to go to school
You may grow up to be a mule”
Read more -> Lyrics
I write extensively about early childhood psychological development growing up LGBT, though by no means am I an expert though I read from the best. But having previously done research on the Holocaust, I cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like to grow up gay during Hitler’ rise to power in Germany.
The terror must have been traumatizing to say the least. I think in many ways we are seeing it lived out in Benedict XVI. Because of the past research that I have done, I feel the traumatizing effects every time Benedict XVI attacks LGBT people overtly or covertly.
I think that the man has been tortured beyond belief growing up in Germany right at the time Hitler comes to power. Benedict XVI, appears, so closely to be following Hitler’ example of attacking the homosexuals. Of course not in the least do I think that he is doing this consciously, as many us do not, when, as adults, we become the aggressor and begin abusing others the way we have been abused as children. Not until we realize that we have become the same terrorizing person or persons of our past do we in deep sorrow repent and make amends.
However, even though, I feel this deep empathy for Benedict XVI, he still must not be allowed to abuse people, especially children. It has to stop!!!
You are so inspiring to me thank you for your enduring efforts for Marriage Equality for everyone. Marty
Thank you also for your commited work to help stop the harm to LGBT youth. “Pray Away The Gay”
Comment by Fr. Marty Kurylowicz — October 22, 2009 @ 1:49 pm
This is in reply to Fr. Marty Kurylowicz. First I would like to ask, Father, are you a Catholic priest and in the Catholic Church???
If so, I was wondering if you have heard of “Courage” and “Encourage”. Here is the website:
http://couragerc.net/
Also, you may want to see this Courage member’s website as well. He used to be gay and has recently married. I am personally very happy for him, and think he has married a wonderful woman. Here is his site:
http://thesheepfold.typepad.com/
May God help you Father.
Comment by Sylvia Bertolini — October 25, 2009 @ 8:31 pm
I’d strongly advise any gay Catholic who needs spiritual support to steer clear of Courage, EnCourage and all other organizations of that kind, and to turn to a gay-affirming Roman Catholic group like Dignity (America) or Quest (Britain).
Comment by William — October 26, 2009 @ 1:55 pm
Sylvia, it is a terrible thing to encourage gay men to enter into sham marriages – look at Ted Haggard. They can’t help but be true to who they are eventually and this leaves broken families and terrible heartbreak. Please stop pushing your hatred and destruction, let people marry the one they truly love and form stable and happy families.
Comment by Priya Lynn — October 26, 2009 @ 2:25 pm
About 70% of the Episcopal Church in the US are converts (refugees) from sexist, homophobic fake Christian churches like the Roman Catholic church. ‘Disaffected Anglicans’ may be leaving, but just as many progressive (read REAL) Christians are coming in; and yes Rowan Williams needs to learn (like Obama) that there IS no compromise with fascist right wing bullies. It’s their way or nothing at all; besides on the issue of full equality for women and lgbt people, there should be NO compromise! That’s no different than ‘separate but equal’.
And Sylvia, there IS no such thing as ‘used to be gay’, this is a scientific/medical fact!! No amount of prayer or religious wishful thinking is going to change that. If that ‘used to be gay’ guy you mentioned really is gay, I can guarantee it’s only a matter of time before his sham marriage goes up in flames. Your side persists in this nonsense that ‘it’s a choice’ because you think it gives you license to hate us and discriminate against us!
BTW, our people have great gaydar and you can be certain that benedict 16 is a big closet case–they’re always the most virulently homophobic ones!
Comment by Gary — October 27, 2009 @ 3:26 pm