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 The issue of same-sex relationships has become the latest hot-button issue around the world where various legislatures have approved or are considering the approval of legislation that confers legitimacy on same-sex relationships. Today, Tom McMahon provides us with his perspective on the debate presently going on in California on the so-called "Proposition #8" which has been promoted by conservative Christian groups in an endeavour to stem the tide against this trend in society. Special political-spiritual report on the American elections...
A man and a woman just rang my doorbell, promoting "yes on 8"; she asked if I knew anything about proposition 8, "the measure to protect marriage". I asked her if she knew anything about the history of marriage from Roman days until around the 17th century and her simple reply was it was a 2000 year old institution. Little did she know of the Roman Catholic stand on Consortium, the RC's standard approach to a union of a peasant man and woman for the purposes of child bearing. Consortium is an agreement between the father of a woman and a man for the use of a daughter for bearing children dating from the days of Caesar; it dominates medieval Europe. There are more rituals for same-sex marriages during the Middle Ages than there are ceremonies for heterosexuals; the Roman Church's interest in marriage was mainly in royal and political unions. With the coming of the industrial revolution and ownership of private property by a budding middle class, the Catholic church moved in to take advantage with its laws and prohibitions ……. follow the money trail.
Geoffrey Farrow will be looking for a new job while the Catholic bishops peddle their ignorance, calling it "Church teaching". It takes more than a local bishop to make "Church teaching". Priests of an older vintage will tell of the gay orientation of a cardinal in Los Angeles and we well remember the machinations of a former bishop of Santa Rosa who ordained a sex slave for his personal use. Roman Bishops have gaul in not acknowledging that nature creates a person with homosexual or lesbian orientation. The issue is medical and scientific and yet because it relates to sexuality the Roman stand pathetically brands it all as an evil. Election issues are won and lost on emotions and ignorance in America. With a third grade evaluation and education in their religion it is no wonder that the American Catholics are so easily misled and docilely kept ignorant. I attended a talk last Saturday by Father Richard McBrien, professor of theology at Notre Dame University, his subject POLITICS AND RELIGION. McBrien calls himself a centrist. I see him as honest, brave and a man fearlessly dedicated to truth. I asked him where he stands with Rome: "Charley Curran out and where stands McBrien?" Richard spent ten minutes explaining the four year investigation of his book CATHOLICISM by the Romans, the author having solid backing from outstanding theologians. It seems in the end the Romans never fully read his hefty volume. McBrien spoke of a few rogue American bishops who have threatened to deny communion to pro-choice political candidates — Kerry in 2004 election etc. — and how these local episcopals violate the agreement sanctioned by the American Bishops in their annual meetings; each community in America has the right to set up moral standards binding on that community, but in the diversity of America prudence calls for toleration and non-interference with the standards of other communities. The overpowering of people is driving them out of community where the issue is not clear. McBrien pointed out that if Roe vs. Wade is overturned the abortion issue will go back to jurisdiction of the States, becoming a nightmare for a governor whose daughter might abort; the aborting woman may be brought up on murder charges, an issue no American wants to tackle. The McCain vs. Obama campaign ducks in and out of the nasty with Palin turning off more and more of the populus with her lies and personal attacks. The two candidates are being held to the issues (not all the important issues), while avoiding personal attacks. There have been signs here and there of the ugliness of Ku Klux Klan types calling for the murder of the "black man". I will be surprised if no attempts are made on Obama's life. Catholic voters are being challenged as to vote by their prejudices or reality. Race will play a defining role in this election. It seems America means business in this election, a hurting American people very aware of the financial crisis at home and aboard. I think the young will have much to say in November as well as the women's vote. Oprah Winfrey had a fine show highlighting woman power with Gloria Steinham, Billie Jean King, and Maria Shriver. Maria, married into the famous Kennedy Democratic clan is married to Arnold S. the Governor of California, a Republican; they talked about Obama for 8 and Hillary in 2016. The Roman Church will come out of the experience more divided and confused; the day will come when the young will be asking what a bishop is. As Porkie says "that's all folks!" I'll let you read about the results in November and maybe send a short note on how prop 8 did. Tom McMahon, wearing a political beretum in San Jose 18/10/08 PS: Here's a copy of a letter I sent to the Editor of The Mercury News:
Image Credits: Clicking on the images in the body of the article will take you to the original source.
©2009 Tom McMahon |
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Tom McMahon, a former priest now married, lives a very fulfilled life in San Jose and continues to contribute voraciously to several Catholic discussion lists in the States. He has been an enthusiastic supporter and encourager of the Catholica initiative from the very beginning.
The Mission of Christ, the Mission of the Church, the Mission of a Diocese Dominican bishop, Anthony Fisher, was installed as the Third Bishop of the Western diocese of urban Sydney, the Parramatta Diocese, on 4 March 2010. His homily delivered at the Installation Mass outlined his broad sweep of the Mission of Jesus Christ, the Mission of the Church, and what he sees as his personal Mission which he was seeking to invite the people of the Western suburbs of Sydney to embrace. Here at Catholica we think the homily offers rich food for reflection and discussion at a number of levels: firstly the evident thought put into the address, secondly in that the Western suburbs of Sydney in many respects are typical of the social challenges encountered in almost any major city of the Western world, and also because of questions that intersect with many of the discussions the community at Catholica engages in of the problems facing the Church today. Because of YouTube limitations the video is in three parts of 9m 54s, 5m 59s, 6m 12s (22m 5s total). [Catholica Editorial where we first drew attention to this homily] | [WATCH THE VIDEO]
Reports 013: 07 Mar 2010
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