Opposing Views: New Website 'ChurchOuting.org' Seeks to Intimidate Gay Priests

New Website 'ChurchOuting.org' Seeks to Intimidate Gay Priests

Opinion by Catholic League
(November 20, 2009) in Religion / Religion in Society

Catholic League president Bill Donohue addresses a serious issue involving gay activists in the District of Columbia:

A new homosexual website, ChurchOuting.org, is intent on publicly disclosing who the gay priests are in the Archdiocese of Washington. The goal of this outing is to intimidate gay priests, as well as heterosexual priests who may be “romantically involved,” into voicing objections to the Catholic Church’s opposition to gay marriage.

This initiative is the work of Phil Attey, self-described as “Liberal-Gay-Ardent Obama Supporter”; he was active in the Obama Pride Metro-DC campaign. According to one news report, “Attey is going to approach priests he thinks are gay, and warn them that they better stop lobbying against gay people, seeing how gay they are…or…else?”

Catholic priests are also being pressured to sign the “Declaration of Religious Support for Marriage Equality,” a statement by Clergy United for Marriage Equality. The statement, while it is not one we support, is respectfully written. Accordingly, we will write to members of the Steering Committee of this group asking them to dissociate themselves from this attempted hijacking of their effort.

The Catholic League is prepared to assist any priest in the Archdiocese of Washington who is the victim of harassment, intimidation or stalking. Whatever resources the priest needs, we will see to it that he is served. If radical gay activists want a showdown with the Catholic League, we will not disappoint them.

Regarding Opinion

Freedom of Religion?

While the bible is the biggest hoax of all time, it makes abundantly clear, in more than a few places, that homosexuals are not allowed in heaven. The bible had been in print for some 1400 years at the time our country's founders sought to fully protect religious rights.

It seems to me there is a pretty obvious conflict on this issue as to whose rights trump the rights of others. Does the church have a right to practice its belief that homosexuality is a sin and that homosexuals are barred from entry into heaven? Or do homosexuals have a right to crash the party and take Yahwee and Heaven, Inc. to court for discrimination ?

Opinions may vary, and I recognize it'd be a tough call to make, but I'd probably lean toward the idea the religious nut cases were there first, and the gay nut cases have no right to rewrite the bible.

I'm sorry, but the Constitution doesn't give me the right to hangout in women 's restrooms.

If homosexuals want to start their own church, more power to them. The description of Jesus, according to the mythology, paints a picture of someone most folks would assume was gay. They're welcome to write their own bible and may embellish the parts where JC wandered about town with boys in dresses as they see fit. That's their right.

What they don't have a right to do is infringe on the religious beliefs of others, no matter how misguided, absurd, or reprehensible.

In light of the well documented perversions of the Catholic church, shining some light in dark corners may be justified. At the same time, using what comes to light for the purpose of blackmail is a felony and should be treated as such.

As far as the Catholic League is concerned, I'd have to fall back on one of my folks favorite sayings, "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks.".

- Don Earl November 20, 2009 7:25PM

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- Blackmail?
  
  Blackmail is not a felony. Only blackmail that is used to extort money from people or get them to commit crimes is.
  
  For an example of blackmail, look at how the Archdiocese in DC is trying to extort the city into blackballing gays under the threat of letting the homeless and needy starve.
  
  - greling November 20, 2009 9:06PM
  
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- Don don don
  
  Most of what you've written was just passive aggressive sneering about Jesus and the Bible. It reads like an article instead of a comment and I'm therefore unable to give it the weight it might deserve. If you want to write articles, why don't you write and post them and not out them in the comments?
  
  - Jerica November 25, 2009 11:19AM
  
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Why are the religous groups

insistent on trying to tie Obama to everything they hate? So Mr. Attey is: " liberal-gay-ardent Obama Supporter". That does not connect his actions to The President. And I really doubt that The President had any part in the planning of the DC Pride event. These people "boil" if they are criticized or portrayed as out of line. And yet there is no hesitation to "distort or fabricate" details of issues. It is no wonder society has a negative opinion of Christians .

- bhall November 21, 2009 8:19AM

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omg

I wish the would make up their minds????? they first fight for rights and the right to "come out"....now they are mad because someone is going to bring them "out" What do they want???? If they are gay and not ashamed of it why do they care...but on the other had the ones that are pediphioles need especially be brought and and abolished because no one wants to think of what the sickos do to the little alter boys!

- cbooh November 21, 2009 3:59PM

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- Who
  
  Who is "they," cbooh? '"They" fight for rights.' '"They" come out.' '"They" are mad about being outed.' 'What do "They" want?'
  
  Are you presuming that "They" is all the same person? Are you presuming that "They" all "think alike?" Sounds like a whole lot of generalizing and stereotyping going on here.
  
  - Babaroni November 23, 2009 12:07PM
  
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  - oh i beg your pardon
    
    i keep forgetting that thinks on the internet must be made specific for people who are apparently "challanged" in understanding..it seems that most anyone who was remarking on a certain subject would understand that when one said "they" that "they" ment the subject of the post as in this case "Catholic Priests"
    Since some people have intellects that must have everything spelled out specifically I will start over... First let me say that I am not against Gay people..That is their own business... But gays have gripped for yrs about the right to "Come out" now they "The GAY CATHOLIC PRIESTS" are angry because a web site is bringing them out. So what is the big deal. If they "THE CATHOLIC PRIESTS' are not ashamed of being gay why do they care if the site brings them 'THE CATHOLIC PRIESTS' out. I am so sorry dear next time I will try and remember that you need things explained in a specific manner.
    
    - cbooh November 23, 2009 6:00PM
    
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    - I think the part you might be missing
      
      cbooh, I think the part that you might be missing is that these Catholic priests have NOT been fighting to be "out of the closet." They can be defrocked if it is known that they are gay. Many (though not all) of them remain celibate. They don't WANT to be "out."
      
      The reason, however, that they are being "outed" is because of the stance their church is taking on a number of issues, including gay rights . The problem is that they are, themselves, gay, but are acting in support of their church's stance against gay people (kind of a "conflict of interests," if you will). So some people feel it is appropriate to "out" them, because those people feel that the behavior of these priests is hypocritical (being gay, yet working in a position within an organization which attacks gays and denies equal rights to gays).
      
      It becomes confusing when you lump all gay people into a single bucket and don't stop to realize that gay people are as varied as straight people, and that we don't all share the same "agenda" or thoughts or feelings.
      
      - Babaroni November 23, 2009 6:18PM
      
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      - well
        
        I know all that and that they "The priests ' can be defrocked and they "The Priest " should be defrocked. They "The Priests' are going against the catholic policies. If they " The Priests" are gay that is fine with me but they should not be Priests...The people in the Church where these Priests are need to know this (that they are gay) so they (the people) can change churches...Some people who are Catholic go strictly by catholic policies and would not want their priest to be gay so they have a right to know and if these priests don't like it well so be it they should be defrocked...The Catholic Church is the strongest Church to fight for their traditions and beliefs and Gays should not be Priests..
        
        - cbooh November 23, 2009 6:30PM
        
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        Really?
        
        So you believe that a gay man should not be able to be a priest, even though he is celibate? All gays should be purged from the clergy, even if they are celibate?
        
        - Babaroni November 24, 2009 12:12AM
        
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        Celibacy is also a perversion
        
        Barbaroni, and in the eyes of most religions, a sin. There is nothing "normal" about a celibate gay priest much less a celibate priest sdand sexual orientation issues. Both are a perversion. Homosexuality is not a sin it is a lifestyle. Celibacy is an unnatural state, humans are sexual animals .
        
        - owlafaye January 30, 2010 9:04AM
        
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      - Being gay and acting on it
        
        I don't think the Church is against a person being a gay priest as long as they are not acting on their desires. Same for every man in the Church. It does seem odd that they would want to be a priest when homosexuality is not accepted in the Catholic Church. I am against anyone demanding the church to change for them. If they want they can join I believe the Wisconsin synod of the Lutheran Church which allows gays or any number of denominations which nowadays accept homosexuality.
        
        - Jerica November 25, 2009 11:27AM
        
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        Not true
        
        The church just recently conducted a witch-hunt-style purge of all the gay young men (including those who were completely and faithfully celibate) in their seminaries. They also issued a letter directing that gay priests (celibate) should not be permitted to teach in seminaries.
        
        The letter stated that men with "deep-seated homosexual tendencies" should not be permitted to enter the seminary, nor should they be permitted to teach seminary. It said that priests who were already ordained, who had "homosexual tendencies" (i.e., are gay, but celibate) would not be defrocked, but that they should not be permitted to teach in seminaries.
        
        - Babaroni November 25, 2009 1:28PM
        
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- To: -chooh
  
  For what it's worth.
  
  I was born into a Catholic family, delivered in a Catholic church , attended Catholic school staffed by nuns from hell, some relatives were priests and nuns and was an altar boy.
  
  It took a few moths as an altar boy to learn that something was not right about the priests. Fortunately I had no bad experiences but other altar boys did and I heard about it. My world and what I expected of the world at the tender age of 12 years began to crumble.
  
  I had to refer to the dictionary as to what homosexual meant. The whole concept was alien and unbelievable to me. Well I guess I had to find out sometime but I would have preferred knowing at a much later date if at all.
  
  I pulled my tour as an altar boy and a few years later saw the church for what it is. A power mad institution that rules through fear and intimidation of hell fire. All the while taking your money .
  
  I became a born again atheist at 16 years and have never been happier.
  
  I am not surprised priests are upset that their sexual preferences are being exposed. After all one must keep in mind that the church has always been a haven, a hideout for homosexuals , pedophiles and lay abouts. Especially in times past which would often see homos killed. Actually in some parts of the world, Middle East for one this still happens even more frequently than here. These were not necessarily well intentioned people who wanted to do good works. I believe some are, but very few. For the most part they can sanctify their lives with a veneer of respectability while they are fed and watered, sleep in comfy beds and even get paid to tell their flock how to live and how wrong and sinful anal intercourse is.lol
  
  I learned years later from an ex priest who married an ex nun that he estimated 90% of priests are homo and the rest just confused free loaders. Now as an adult I accept the fact god has a sense of homour and homosexuality is a natural thing. There is no cure. It is not wrong. Ask Ted Haggard. It is the result of natures ceaseless experimenting. I have accepted this and am glad I was born straight.
  
  - fitz November 26, 2009 12:18PM
  
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What is a "gay" priest?

Priests in the Roman Catholic Church are celibate, i.e., they don't engage in sexual relations - with anyone. If that is the case what does it mean for a priest to be "gay"? Many priests may have a past, but if they have left that behind them, nothing need be said about them. If they haven't, then their sexual conduct, i.e., misconduct, "gay" or "straight", needs to be dealt with, and public disapprobation may be part of that process.

- wrdalton November 25, 2009 11:23AM

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Outing people

Outing people as homosexuals could be detrimental to their health and well being, so I am against any group or person (whatever their excuse or agenda) outing anyone without their express permission. You're playing with a person's life, and possibly that of their family and friends by outing them. It is up to the individual to decide if and when they should be outed publicly.

That said, priests who are homosexual and unable to control their desires should leave the priesthood, as any priest who is heterosexual yet who is having sex with women should leave as well. It is obviously not the place for a person who wishes to have sexual relationships.

Whatever the Church thinks they're allowed to think. Some responsibility must be put on the man who chooses to go into the priesthood knowing that for thousands of years it has held these views. You can't expect to demand it to change because you don't agree with it.

- Jerica November 25, 2009 11:24AM

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- Outing People
  
  Steering away from my disdain for religion . And sticking only to the act of outing. I think it is disrespectful of someone's right to privacy. I don't believe it is illegal , nor do I believe it is malicious enough to warrant jail. It simply is extreme in the cutthroat department.
  Priests who are homosexual can be compared to politicians who are dishonest. It's that simple, the Church, whether we agree with it or not, does not want homosexuals and though this is completely another issue, if you deceit the church in order to maintain your participation, then it is simple fraud. These priests who are homosexual have bigger fish to fry than whether this Attey guy is going to turn them out or not.
  Attey may be a terrible person for threatening to turn out the priests, but the priests don't fare much better in a balance. They are being deceitful and violating rules of the organization they belong in.
  The whole thing just sounds medieval to me. It makes no sense that in our year 2010, we are embroiled in a debate with the Catholic Church, it's actually rather amusing.
  
  - topapito November 25, 2009 8:50PM
  
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Holy Scriptures hold Truth

The truth will set you free.
The Church is finally taking their rightful place in this discussion.
Cleaning house may be part of this process, but God's Word
will stand the test of the fire.
Please keep firm in your stance.

- mybeliefsholdstrong November 26, 2009 7:19PM

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- God?
  
  Before you can discuss God, the Bible and religion publicly, you must present evidence for God's existence. Otherwise, keep the foolishness in your church amongst the other fools.
  
  - owlafaye January 30, 2010 9:08AM
  
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Look it up...

Matthew 5:27-29
Matthew 6:20-22
Luke 6:44-46

- TheCatholicHeretic November 30, 2009 7:31PM

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