The archdiocese of Chicago and its head, Cardinal Francis George, are no friends of LGBT rights. So it would come as no surprise that the archdiocese is sponsoring a seminar on the church's teaching on same-sex marriage July 23-24 at the Cardinal Stritch Retreat Center. The purpose of the workshop is designed to equip deacons, their wives and other individuals to explain clearly the church's position on "gay marriage" cost of the workshop is $75 per person. ( For further information, please visit www.respectlifechicago.com . )
Let me be perfectly clear about what this retreat is about; it is providing justification for discrimination against the LGBT community in the archdiocese of Chicago. We should view this gathering no differently than we would the gathering of the KKK, for in the end both wish only to promote their brand of bigotry against LGBT people. This workshop represents those who are foes of progress.
The organizers of the workshop feel outmaneuvered by gay activists on such recent victories as "hate crimes" act and proposed changes to the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ( DADT ) policy barring open gays from service. They were also shocked when the president announced a proposed federal rule that any hospital participating in Medicare or Medicaid, meaning "most hospitals," give gay partners the same privileges and visitation rights as "straight partners."
The bishops are also opposed to Employment Nondiscrimination Act ( ENDA ) , and will use this workshop as a template to be used in other dioceses and archdioceses whose Bishops feel as Cardinal George does.
I am a Catholic and firmly believe hate promoted in any guise is wrong. One of the things the recent Health Care Debate has shown is that Catholics do not follow in lock step with the pronouncements of either the Vatican or the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Sister Carol Keehan, CEO of the Catholic Health Association ( CHA ) , supported healthcare legislation. It is acknowledged by President Obama that without the CHA, support the bill would have never passed. George's response to Keehan was critical, of course; he accused her of setting up a parallel magisteriumin other words, the bishops can no longer claim sole authority in the Church.
While I realize the cost of the workshop is prohibited in these harsh economic times: I would encourage those who can afford the registration fee to attend for the purpose of engaging the bigotry at whatever level you feel comfortable, individuals can make a difference.
The Rainbow Sash Movement condemns this workshop for promoting homophobia as justification for being opposed to same-sex marriage, ENDA, DADT and hospital-visitation rights under the guise of religious belief. Catholics are taught we are sons and daughters of God, if this is case, how can any in good faith promote discrimination against the LGBT Community in Chicago?
Sincerely,
Joe Murray
Rainbow Sash Movement