Rainbow Sash Movement

Today we have Church that has failed its people. We have Church leadership that has tried to turn back the clock to pre Vatican II days. We have Church leadership that has betrayed, and brutalized its most vulnerable members.

Focus is very important, focus can be the lens through which we can perceive the truth, or it can be a lens in which we are dazzled with smoke and mirrors. Some of our Bishops are trying to make the focus privilege of authority, and not responsibility of authority. Yes, we are all frail human beings, but all must be accountable for our actions.

During this clergy sexual abuse scandal not one Bishop has worn sack cloth, and covered himself in ashes. Not one has gone to jail for lying to grand juries. The one Cardinal who was responsible for horrific abuse of authority, Cardinal Bernard Law has been rewarded for cowardly and unethical behavior.

It is time for Catholic lay people to accept the part they have played in this grotesque opera. The money keeps flowing because of our false belief about service to poor. Judas's 30 silver pieces, even if spent on the poor, can never justify the act of betrayal.

I pray that all of us are able to be ethical in relationship with one another. However, ethics is a hard value to find in today’s world of clericalism.

We all need to repent for this scandal, and not scapegoat innocent people. We also need to focus on who are the real victims in this scandal.

Posted by Joden at 08:29 PM | Permalink

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The Rainbow Sash Movement is not a political organization; we will not endorse any political candidate. However, we are called to comment on moral and ethical issues that directly affect the GLBT Catholic and our broader community. We must always speak out for justice.

In a cosy, intimate atmosphere reminiscent of the Oprah Winfrey's chat show, the candidates appeared one at a time at Hollywood studios of the gay cable network Logo. Each were asked their positions on various areas. Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama, along with the other Democratic candidates John Edwards and Bill Richardson, walked a tightrope by endorsing "civil unions" while stopping short of backing gay marriage. The separate but equal mentality does not work for race and it will not work for sexual orientation. A stealth position, that can only be understood as endorsing discrimination against the national GLBT community. 

Some of the candidates played on their minority status by saying I understand discrimination because I was discriminated against. Or I can't hide who I am because of my skin color, inferring that gays have chosen their sexual orientation. A position that conflicts with any understanding of diversity, and the various forms of discrimination that people experience, even within minority communities.

I had hoped to hear a consistent ethic of fairness proclaimed by all the candidates. Sadly that was not to be the case.

Gay Marriage's time has come. It is about simple fairness. There are some in our political community who do not appear to understand that as this forum has clearly shown. Morally we have to ask ourselves the question; what makes the Democrats any different from the Republicans on the issue of Gay Marriage.

I ask for prayers for ethical leadership. Either stand with us for Justice and because it is the right thing to do, or don't stand with us.

God bless 

Posted by Joden at 11:50 AM | Permalink

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The Knights of Columbus are under the spotlight for wanting it both ways. They want the recognition of being a stellar Catholic Organization, and of having the status of  political influence, but apparently don’t want to walk the talk.

They adopted a resolution in 2003 banning pro-GLBT, pro-abortion politicians from its membership, facilities and functions; they have failed to take action to expel such politicians from their ranks, charges Kenneth Fisher, founder and chairman of Concerned Roman Catholics of America.

According to Fisher one of the most sacred tenets of the Knights is their total; some might say blind obedience to the Church's positon on GLBT Rights, and abortion. This might be one of the reasons it has not come out against the Catholic Bishops over their handling of the clergy sexual abuse matter.

We live in a time of hypocrisy so it comes to me as no surprise the that Concerned Roman Catholics of America, a pro-life, traditional Catholic organization based in Anaheim, has announced it will picket the Knights of Columbus 125th Supreme Convention when it meets next week in Tennessee. Protesters will bring the message that the Knights "talk the talk, but they don't walk the walk.”

Conservative Catholics are upset that the Knights have in their presence Public Sinners. Unlike Jesus they want no part of these people. Public Sinners targeted initially are the 16 politicians who supported gay marriage in Massachusetts, and than all the US Senators, Congressman, and state politicians who support their constituencies on the issues of gay marriage, and abortion.

This group of Catholics thinks they have the moral authority kick out other Catholics. O brother it is time to take a long look in the mirror. The Knights convention should be interesting to watch hysterical people responding to hysterical people. What a wonderful homophobe stand off. Jack Kennedy has got to be turning over in his grave.

God bless.

Posted by Joden at 09:46 AM | Permalink

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