Catholic GLBT “Fear & Loathing” Kick ASU Priests to the Curb
Posted by Alan Davidson
(Above: Fr. Fred Lucci interacting with a student at Table on the Mall)
Image courtesy of Phoenix Catholic Sun http://tinyurl.com/lzwpwy
You may know me personally, many of you are my friends, and many more are my family. Some of you I just know through passing, some of you I don’t know at all. What I do know is that I have a message of shared injustice that I am urging you to peacefully act on. Most recently I was informed that the religious center (All Saint’s Catholic Newman Center; Tempe, AZ) that I attended in college is being forcefully taken over, due in large part to their tolerance and acceptance of GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Tran-sexual) Catholics. You can read more about the takeover here: http://spirituallife.freedomblogging.com/2009/07/06/catholic-bishop-moves-against-gay-friendly-newman-center-at-asu/771/
Some of you define yourselves as Christians, others Muslim, Jews, Buddhists, Atheists, etc. Our differences are many, strong, and daily stand to divide us. Unfortunately, we live in a world today that embraces these differences and encourages the wrongness (& hatred) of others beliefs & values often based simply on our own squeued beliefs. However, we often forget to take into account the one thing that we all have in common: our greater capacity for good and love in this world.
We are unconsciously united by love. We love our children, our husbands, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, ourselves…
For Christians, Jesus expressed love when he said “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. ” Matthew 5:43-45
The Qu’ran also speaks of love & compassion “And what will explain to you what the steep path is? It is the freeing of a (slave) from bondage; or the giving of food in a day of famine to an orphan relative, or to a needy in distress. Then will he be of those who believe, enjoin fortitude and encourage kindness and compassion.” Chapter 90, Verses 12-17. Sufi Muslims spread the message of divine love(Ishq).
The Jewish Torah states that you should “Love your neighbor like yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). (Hesed, Avava)
Buddhists believe that “you should conquer the angry man by love.”
Hindu’s have nine forms of love (devotions) that they call bhakti.
Atheists don’t deny the power of a lingering kiss or the warm comfort a friend provides during a time of grief. All expressions of love.
The point of course being that we all love, that we are encouraged to love, called to love, even commanded to love. Even if the individual you love has an opinion, religion, or sexuality you don’t trust, prefer, or believe in. I find it a disgrace then that the very love and compassion that we are enabled with and told by all major religions to use is twisted by officials in high power as a message of hatred and intolerance. I am left with many questions. Are we not supposed to love one another and welcome them? Are we supposed to slam the door in our brothers & sisters faces and let them know they are not loved because of their sexuality? What message does this send? How does this further anyone?
I am strongly opposed to the blatant takeover of the Arizona State University All Saint’s Catholic Newman Center by Bishop Thomas Olmsted & the removal of Dominican Pastors, Father Fred Lucci & Father James Thompson for acts of tolerance and compassion. I am asking you to please pass this message on to your friends, family, close acquaintances, GLBT organizations, and strangers you meet in passing. Please spread the word about this act of injustice.
If you are called to it, I ask that you peacefully protest this decision by writing to the Phoenix Diocese at Contact-Us@diocesephoenix.org or calling 602-354-2000. I also encourage you to make your local GLBT organizations & publications aware of this. Feel free to contact your local congressmen and women and express your disappointment.
Read more here:
http://www.examiner.com/x-7216-Phoenix-Catholic-Examiner~y2009m7d6-Diocese-to-assume-control-of-All-Saints-Catholic-Newman-Center
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/07/07/20090707newmancenter0707.html
Thank you for your time!
Sincerely in faith & love,
Nicole R. Peppin
Alan Davidson is the founder of ThroughYourBody.com and the author Body Brilliance: Mastering Your Five Vital Intelligences, the #1 bestselling Health & Welness book and winner of two National Book-of-the-Year awards.
Alan is also the author of the Free report “Body Breakthroughs for Life Breakthroughs: How to Peak Your Physical, Emotional, Mental, Moral, and Spiritual IQs for a Sensational Life” available at www.throughyourbody.com
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