Gays and Lesbians Welcome - BUT No Communion!

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 7:34pm

http://www.kotatv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6213872&nav=menu411_2_4

GILLETTE, Wyo. A lesbian couple in Gillette have been told they can't receive communion at the church they've attended since 1998, in part because they publicly opposed a bill that would have barred Wyoming from recognizing gay marriages.

Leah Vader and Lynne Huskinson have attended Saint Matthew's Catholic Church since 1998, and were married two years ago in Canada. Earlier this year, when the Legislature considered a bill that would have barred Wyoming from recognizing such marriages, the two said the bill amounted to discrimination.

Last week, they got a letter from the Reverend Cliff Jacobson of Saint Matthew's, telling them they can no longer receive communion, in part because of their public position.

Jacobson says the church reaches out to homosexuals, but that it must do so within its own moral structure. He says the Cheyenne Diocese played a role in the decision to bar the women from receiving communion.

Vader says it's an act of discrimination. And she says it's particularly hard coming just before Lent and Easter.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 7:35pm

That's horrible and sad.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 7:43pm

But not in the least surprising.
Updated On: 3/12/07 at 07:43 PM

[MatthewAddison]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 7:58pm

WWJD?

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 9:55pm

If the church believes that Jesus would turn away homosexuals and deny them their communion...they're absolutely insane.

I believe with my whole being that homosexuality is genetic. If man is created in God's image then homosexuality is part of that image. Gays and Lesbians can be honest, generous, caring and all-around wonderful individuals...but no matter how wonderful they are...some people just cannot see past their sexual orientation.

It deeply saddens me.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 9:58pm

"He says the Cheyenne Diocese played a role in the decision to bar the women from receiving communion."

Cheyenne who?

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 9:59pm

Jackson.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 10:03pm

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 10:10pm

why on earth would people want so badly to be a part of something that does not recognize their right to exist?

[MatthewAddison]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 10:45pm

If Cheyenne Jackson is doing baptisms, I'm there!

[Kringas]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 10:52pm

why on earth would people want so badly to be a part of something that does not recognize their right to exist?

Well, in theory, aren't they going to be denied communion at any Catholic church? Are you suggesting they find any other Catholic church, or that they find a completely different religion?

And it would seem that if they've been attending the church for close to a decade then they're really fighting for the right to remain a part of something.

[DG]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 12:52am

papa - while I find that particular arguement specious at best, it is what I ended up feeling myself - and why I told the entire organization to go F*CK themselves. Which is NOTHING compared to what I would do if left alone with the Pope for just 30 seconds.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 1:06am

Ok Sinead!

[MatthewAddison]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 1:20am

I'm REALLY loving DG tonight.

[DG]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 2:17am

Matthew - it's just a tired man on a soapbox

And brd - honestly, I KNOW there are those within the faith who are at core good people (some on this board itself - including you.) But it becomes increasingly difficult to overlook the contradictions and hypocracies - even in those who have earned your respect. At the end of the day, we are what we exhibit through our beliefs - and those that walk this path tread heavily on the ground of judgement and damnation.

It leaves many - especially those so harshly judged - seeking another path, even if it is alone.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 2:24am

Besides, I hear those crackers are fattening.

[RadiGal2]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 2:55am

In my understanding from Dr Robert Burns; religious studies professor U of Arizona and Dominican priest, and Fr. Andrew Greeley-- professor-at-large, writer, sociologist..have always argued that since Vatican II these issues (including birth control, abortion, and who receives communion in general-- including gay church members) always been up to the individual priest...
And I know for certain they are far more knowledge that the Pope himself on pretty much everything pertaining to the Church.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 7:32am

well, clearly here, radi, it was the diocese that laid down the law so the individual priest didn't hold the power.

kringas, i mean in the larger sense of the incompatibility of catholicism under it's current doctrine and the glbt community.

an offshoot of catholicism i could understand, something not beholding to rome, but if i were a m ember of the glbt community i sure think i'd find a place that welcomed me rather than one where the leaders considered me a second class citizen. it's akin to the argument that some here make about being republican and gay.

Updated On: 3/13/07 at 07:32 AM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 7:35am

oh, who wants those faggy wafers anyway?

[Liverpool]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 9:38am

here's a thought, get away from the evil catholics.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 9:55am

All the more reason to go to a non-denominational church...they don't care as much.

[Kringas]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 10:08am

Huskinson and Vader have gotten invitations from several other churches already. But it’s not quite the same.

“Catholicism gets in your blood,” she said. “There are things that look the same, but aren’t the same.”
Catholic church tells gay couple communion won’t be available

[Calvin]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 10:11am

If you want a sense of poetic justic -- and I'm too damn lazy to dig up a link -- the Catholic bigwigs are now going after Sean Hannity of all people because he dared to say it's OK for married people to use birth control.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 10:32am

Catholicism gets in your blood?

The blood of the lamb?

Carrietta?

[Dark_Angel]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 11:32am

"why on earth would people want so badly to be a part of something that does not recognize their right to exist?"

I couldn't have said it any better myself.