Fr. John Harvey Explains Church's Position on Homosexuality
The context of his talk and interview was the firing of the music director of this parish who was openly gay and refused to take a public vow of chastity.
I wonder how many parishes this has been done in?
From the Rockford Register Star:
REGISTER STAR: What do you think of Bill Stein, Holy Family’s former music director who is gay and was fired in June for his refusal to take a vow of chastity?
ANSWER: In my opinion, he is a Catholic and he knew the rules. We are supposed to live our lives in accordance with the Catholic faith and he has violated that rule in a serious way by being involved in a same-sex union and by wanting to adopt a child as well. We, the Catholic Church, do not support that idea of same-sex couples raising children for good reason, and that is the right of the child. We contend that a child should have a mother and a father. Being raised by two people of the same sex can lead to a child suffering deprivation with regard to relationships to persons of the opposite sex.
Q: What do you think of the decision facing the Episcopalian Church regarding what could be that denomination’s first homosexual bishop?
A: The Catholic Church will oppose ordaining an openly gay man to the episcopacy because a bishop should pattern his life upon the example of the 12 Apostles and Christ in which a homosexual act is seen as seriously immoral under all circumstances. He could be a very nice person, but his style of life is contrary to the Gospel. I’ve spent 50 years of my life working with homosexual people, and they all suffer a deprivation in not being attracted to the opposite sex. I have nothing against homosexuals, but I oppose homosexual activity.
Q: Summarize why the Catholic Church believes homosexuality is wrong.
A: The church holds that a homosexual act by its very nature is wrong because it doesn’t fulfill the purpose of a human sexual act. Normally, the union of marriage is a permanent commitment of a man to a woman with the hope of producing children. In some marriages, a child doesn’t come. If nature itself doesn’t produce children, that’s different. There are two purposes for a human sexual act: the union of a man and a woman and the procreation of children.
Q: What is the philosophy and purpose of COURAGE, your support ministry for homosexual-oriented Catholics?
A: Our philosophy is that men and women with same-sex attraction can desire to have a chaste life in accordance with the Roman Catholic teaching. Our purpose is then to teach these people how to practice chastity. That’s not easy, so we formed a support group for them back in 1980. We have five purposes: to live in accordance with Roman Catholic teachings; to develop interior prayer and learn to pray with the heart; to come together regularly to discuss our life and experiences so that none of us will have to practice the pain of homosexuality alone because you need to talk about it; fourth, it is necessary to form good friendships in order to be chaste; and to give a good example to others.
Q: Is it more difficult for a homosexual to live a chaste life than a heterosexual?
A: It’s much more difficult for a homosexual. A heterosexual can live a life of prayer and meet someone and enter into a life of conjugal chastity, but a homosexual can only live a life of chastity through prayer and the help of Christ.
Wednesday, August 6, 2003
Tuesday, August 5, 2003
Interesting Update on All Things Vatican
From www.chiesa | The Keys of the Vatican. Nominations Foreseen, Promotions Discussed:
"John Paul II has been at his summer residence at Castelgandolfo since July 10, and has temporarily lightened up on his anti-Parkinson’s medication, as decided by his neurologists. The effects are noticeable: he has more difficulty in breathing and in speaking. But there’s less worry about his health inside the Vatican than outside.
Or rather, there’s really no worry at all. The current idea at the top levels of the Church is that Pope John Paul will last a good while longer. They believe that in March of 2004, he will gain the distinction of the second longest pontificate in history, apart from that of St. Peter, surpassing Leo XIII. They think that even the golden record of Pius IX, whose pontificate lasted 31 years and 7 months, is not beyond his reach.
Moreover, like Leo XIII during his last years, John Paul II doesn’t walk anymore. He gets around only in a wheelchair. For this reason, this year he has foregone his vacation in the mountains. There is a swimming pool at Castelgandolfo that the pope had built during his earlier years of rugged sportsmanship. He spends a few hours a week in it, in a special flotation device, to exercise his arms and legs. He is making only a few day trips to the mountains, the most recent being one to Gran Sasso on Thursday, July 24.
But both he and his supporting clerics continue to do everything according to routine. John Paul II has cancelled his planned visit to Mongolia, but has confirmed the one to Slovakia from September 11-14, his 102nd trip outside of Italy, and in recent days has put France on the list for next year.
Next October will be extremely intense for him. From the 16-18, the twenty-fifth anniversary of his election, the pope will have gathered around him, in Rome, allof the cardinals from around the world. He wants to hear their opinions about what has been accomplished during the past twenty-five years, and on the things still to be done. Immediately after, on the 19th, there will be the blockbuster beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Apart from all this, John Paul II is preparing a series of nominations of the highest importance, in the Vatican and beyond, to all appearances as if he intended to govern for a long time. A consistory for the nomination of new cardinals has been planned for next February. And half a dozen of the highest-placed leaders will vanish from the scene, having reached the age limits of their offices.
One of these is the cardinal Secretary of State, Angelo Sodano. He would gladly give up his position to the ambitious and hyperactive prefect of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, Crescenzio Sepe. But his real successor will probably be the current prefect for the Congregation for Bishops, Giovanni Battista Re, whom the pope favors and who has the full support of the pope’s powerful secretary, Stanislaw Dziwisz.
Another major figure about to leave is Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, the head of the Holy Office, who should be replaced by his right-hand man, archbishop Angelo Amato, a specialist in Asian religions and one of the principal drafters of the declaration “Dominus Iesus.”
The Vatican foreign minister, Jean-Louis Tauran, is also on his way out, for health reasons. His successor will likely be Claudio Maria Celli, a leading expert on China and the East and the present secretary of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See."
From www.chiesa | The Keys of the Vatican. Nominations Foreseen, Promotions Discussed:
"John Paul II has been at his summer residence at Castelgandolfo since July 10, and has temporarily lightened up on his anti-Parkinson’s medication, as decided by his neurologists. The effects are noticeable: he has more difficulty in breathing and in speaking. But there’s less worry about his health inside the Vatican than outside.
Or rather, there’s really no worry at all. The current idea at the top levels of the Church is that Pope John Paul will last a good while longer. They believe that in March of 2004, he will gain the distinction of the second longest pontificate in history, apart from that of St. Peter, surpassing Leo XIII. They think that even the golden record of Pius IX, whose pontificate lasted 31 years and 7 months, is not beyond his reach.
Moreover, like Leo XIII during his last years, John Paul II doesn’t walk anymore. He gets around only in a wheelchair. For this reason, this year he has foregone his vacation in the mountains. There is a swimming pool at Castelgandolfo that the pope had built during his earlier years of rugged sportsmanship. He spends a few hours a week in it, in a special flotation device, to exercise his arms and legs. He is making only a few day trips to the mountains, the most recent being one to Gran Sasso on Thursday, July 24.
But both he and his supporting clerics continue to do everything according to routine. John Paul II has cancelled his planned visit to Mongolia, but has confirmed the one to Slovakia from September 11-14, his 102nd trip outside of Italy, and in recent days has put France on the list for next year.
Next October will be extremely intense for him. From the 16-18, the twenty-fifth anniversary of his election, the pope will have gathered around him, in Rome, allof the cardinals from around the world. He wants to hear their opinions about what has been accomplished during the past twenty-five years, and on the things still to be done. Immediately after, on the 19th, there will be the blockbuster beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Apart from all this, John Paul II is preparing a series of nominations of the highest importance, in the Vatican and beyond, to all appearances as if he intended to govern for a long time. A consistory for the nomination of new cardinals has been planned for next February. And half a dozen of the highest-placed leaders will vanish from the scene, having reached the age limits of their offices.
One of these is the cardinal Secretary of State, Angelo Sodano. He would gladly give up his position to the ambitious and hyperactive prefect of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, Crescenzio Sepe. But his real successor will probably be the current prefect for the Congregation for Bishops, Giovanni Battista Re, whom the pope favors and who has the full support of the pope’s powerful secretary, Stanislaw Dziwisz.
Another major figure about to leave is Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, the head of the Holy Office, who should be replaced by his right-hand man, archbishop Angelo Amato, a specialist in Asian religions and one of the principal drafters of the declaration “Dominus Iesus.”
The Vatican foreign minister, Jean-Louis Tauran, is also on his way out, for health reasons. His successor will likely be Claudio Maria Celli, a leading expert on China and the East and the present secretary of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See."
Spread the Wealth!
From my email:
When there is nothing left but God, that is when
you find out that God is all you need. Take 60 seconds
and give this a shot! All you do is simply say the
following small prayer for the person who sent you
this.
Father, God bless all my friends in whatever it is
that You know they may be needing this day! And may
their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power
as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with
you. Amen.
Then send it on to five other people, including the
one who sent it to you. Within hours five people have
prayed for you, and you caused a multitude of people
to pray for other people. Then sit back and watch the
power of God work in your life.
P. S. Five is good, but more is better.
From my email:
When there is nothing left but God, that is when
you find out that God is all you need. Take 60 seconds
and give this a shot! All you do is simply say the
following small prayer for the person who sent you
this.
Father, God bless all my friends in whatever it is
that You know they may be needing this day! And may
their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power
as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with
you. Amen.
Then send it on to five other people, including the
one who sent it to you. Within hours five people have
prayed for you, and you caused a multitude of people
to pray for other people. Then sit back and watch the
power of God work in your life.
P. S. Five is good, but more is better.
Monday, August 4, 2003
Vote On Gay Bishop Delayed; Allegations Surface
I guess its good to know there are some things that are still considered immoral.
From nbc4.com - News - :
"The spokesman said the postponement came after allegations emerged involving 'touching' and 'pornography.' He declined to elaborate, saying only that Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold is expected to make a statement later in the day Monday.
The church's House of Deputies has voted overwhelmingly to approve Robinson, who faces a final vote in the House of Bishops. "
I guess its good to know there are some things that are still considered immoral.
From nbc4.com - News - :
"The spokesman said the postponement came after allegations emerged involving 'touching' and 'pornography.' He declined to elaborate, saying only that Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold is expected to make a statement later in the day Monday.
The church's House of Deputies has voted overwhelmingly to approve Robinson, who faces a final vote in the House of Bishops. "
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