The Church’s Bedroom Eyes (A Rant)
This week, a book discussion at a Roman Catholic parish that was to be led by a lesbian Catholic and her father was canceled after objections from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Carol Curoe of Minneapolis and Robert Curoe of Bernard, Iowa, were suppose to speak at St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church about their book, “Are There Closets in Heaven? A Catholic Father and Lesbian Daughter Share Their Story.” However, after various conservatives contacted the archdiocese, spokesman Dennis McGrath contacted St. Francis Cabrini and St. Joan of Arc, the church where Carol Curoe, her partner and their children worship.
The talk went on at a different location: Spirit of the Lakes United Church of Christ in Minneapolis. McGrath said he advised St. Francis Cabrini that “it wasn’t a good idea” and that Archbishop Harry Flynn would not approve of a lesbian who is “in an actual full sexual relationship” speaking at a church.
He added: “We welcome gays and lesbians in the church, and there are many, I’m sure, who go to many of our parishes. But they have to follow the rules … they cannot be sexually active.”
Of course, this begs the obvious question: How do you know they are sexually active?!?! Does this couple need to get a restraining order on a church looking into their bedroom windows?
While one might object that this couple had children, since both women are, well, women, then there is no way this could have happened through sexual activities of any kind. While it might be argued that this couple has been seen kissing in public, this in itself is not an item to condemn, since all under this item half of Europe would be considered gay and lesbian. Of course, it is nothing that this couple lives together. Many same sex couple live together as room mates for economic convenience. If this were not so, nearly 100% of all college students would have to be classified as homosexual. Neither does it mean something that this couples’ children refer to them as their parents. Such designations are fluid in an era of mixed families.
This leaves only the couples own admission that they have sex. Still, this is hearsay, and if the church wants to prohibit this couple from entering the church and using the church grounds as if they were full members, then the church is going to need to come up with some hard and concrete evidence that this is a couple living in sin.
If the church is going to become a body with closed minds, closed hearts, and closed doors - then I want them to back up their bigotry and go the distance! Let’s see how far they are willing to back up their bigotry.
Gandhi once said that they key to his techniques was to draw out the lunacy of his opponents, to make them see what they were doing with their own eyes. If the British thought they were “compassionate”, then let them beat and murders thousands of people and tell the press about their “compassion”, and see if they still have the stomach for it.
I agree. Let the church stand in people’s bedrooms and take photos. Let it be done by the rectors, pastors and priests. If they think this is all about rules, and they thing everyone should follow the rules, then let THEM follow the rules. Back it up, or pack it up and stay quiet!
Phew! Thanks. I needed that.
