This is a call to look at how government funds go to the Catholic Church.
Over the years, the Catholic Church or the men who run it have called our community everythingintrinsic moral evil, dysfunctional, un-family, even violent and much worsebut a low point for the Church occurred recently when Chicago Cardinal Francis George compared our community to the Ku Klux Klan.
Chicago's LGBT community is not letting this pass, unlike many other cities in this country who give the church a pass. Bravo to Chicago. And if you don't mind, I'd like to offer some advice from an old activist. Change does not happen quickly, so a one-time demonstration won't work. You need to keep up the pressure. You also must have a stated goal. Here your choices are obvious: step down, apologize or meet with LGBT leaders. However, the parties must agree to treat each other with respectsomething the Catholic Church has never done before.
Note: We have no problem with Catholicism, but we do have a problem with its leaders tossing verbal bombs at our community. But a demonstration, while a great place to start, is not in itself the answer. For that, you must be creative: Hit the Church where it hurts, in its moral pocketbook. After all, it seems at times that's all the Church really isa business.
One of the best examples of how to tame the Church's tongue is in our nation's capital. You might recall that Washington, D.C., has marriage equality. In the lead-up to the vote on marriage equality in the district, the Church took the lead in attacking equality by stating it might have to close social services programs if it passed. But then, some of the elected officials who supported marriage equality made the point clear that the annoying and offensive voice of the Church might lead to stronger legislation. Translation: It could take funds away from religious institutions that the Church was saying it would voluntarily close.
The elected officials called the Church's bluff. In the end, they are both living with each other in harmony. The point is clear: If the church wishes to continue to be an opponent of equality, we must go for the wallet.
So to activists nationwide, let me share some information with you: One of the key funding sources for the Catholic Church is government programs and funding. Do I have to draw a map for you?
Mark Segal
Philadelphia Gay News
Can we talk?
Cardinal George's apology consisted of two parts. The first paragraph concerned itself with the apology itself. The second paragraph concerned itself with the motivation for his negative metaphor of associating the gay-rights movement with the KKK.
George said, "I can only say that my remarks were motivated by fear for the Church's liberty. This is a larger topic that cannot be explored in this expression of personal sorrow and sympathy for those who were wounded by what I said."
We would like to respectfully invite the cardinal to engage with us in a private dialogue process on his fear for the Church's liberty. We believe that harsh words have been said on both sides of the issue over the years. Instead of issuing competing press release and seeking to sway public opinion, perhaps the time has come for direct dialogue as part of the ongoing process of reconciliation.
We want to reiterate our belief that the cardinal's apology spoke directly to our community in a very respectful and heartfelt manner, and we believe his apology was received and accepted by the LGBT Community in Chicago.
Rainbow Sash Movement