Civil Unions discussed at Mass today

[bleedingheart]

Today we took the family to mass and the topic was civil unions.

Our priest basically said that the Roman Catholic faith recognizes marriage as a union between a man and a woman, he made sure to stress this. However, he did state that the discussion that is going on outside of the church should take its course and he clarified that the discussion going on was about equal rights in his opinion. He never said anything against civil unions, I guess he realizes we can come to our own conclusions.

He also said that no one should fear the discussion of civil unions and the debate that is going on. He mentioned that times change and that public opinion sometimes takes a position that the church does not advocate but that doesn't mean people should fear debate or those decisions.

Over and over again he stated that no one should fear the discussion.

Now I know that the Roman Catholic church isn't going to endorse civil unions or officiate any gay marriages but I think its impressive that our priest made sure to define the difference between the church position and what goes on outside the church without demonizing the opposing position and in fact welcoming debate and discussion.

By the way I support civil unions/gay marriage.

[zulchzulu]

1. You have a good priest where you worship

I would suspect most priests would either avoid the topic of civil unions and gay marriage or tow the Vatican party line.

[Alopenia]

2. It is impressive.

In our parish, we have always been encouraged to discuss controversial topics like abortion. It is important to listen to both sides of an issue in order to have a full understanding. I think the more you know, the more you can understand why the church takes the positions it takes. At least that has been the case for us.

[mike1963]

5. There seems to be a fairly notable schism between the RCC upper echelon

and the local neighborhood parishes. I have a Catholic sister-in-law
(I am a 'cured' ex-christian, an atheist for some 43 years) who doesn't give much of a shit what the Pope says. So I encourage independent thinking on her part; I find Catholicism to be generally one of the more weird branches of christianity (what's with all those bleeding images of some long haired hippy dangling on wooden crossbars???)

But I guess what I can't dope out is just what the Catholic "position" really is. Defending priests who fuck little boys sure seems to be one of them.
:eyes:

[lovedems]

3. I am 36 years old and I have never been to a mass that preaches

hate or intolerance. That is why I am shocked about the new idea of denying politicians communion if they are pro-choice. That is very unusual I think for the church to do something like that.

[bleedingheart]

4. I think that the people who want to deny communion are trying

to stir the pot but it can backfire because American catholics are a different breed.

In that church today were mother's who have gay sons or daughters, father's who have had to help drive a daughter to a clinic for an abortion and families who are using contraceptives because they can't afford another mouth to feed. The church can have its rules and its positions but unfortunately every situation is unique and its best to remain tolerant and loving.

[lovedems]

6. I think there are a select few (and I mean few) who want the power

that the Christian Coalition has. I think "mainstream" Catholics are above the "fundie" rule of forcing their beliefs on the rest of society. I have never been made to feel uncomfortable for being a pro-choice Catholic. To be honest, our Msgr. is always just glad that I am there with my family, celebrating the faith.