Chicago Cardinal Blasts 'Prejudiced' Gays

Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 at 08:59 AM

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A group of about 50 LGBT activists led by Chicago's Gay Liberation Network picketed the city's Holy Name Cathedral and Cardinal Francis George yesterday, protesting the Catholic Church's relentless attempts to block marriage equality and civil unions in the state.

Critics contend the Church's speedy attempts to block equality legislation stand in stark contrast to their decades of foot dragging on the international abuse crisis within their own walls.

At yesterdays protest GLN leader and activist Andy Thayer told the press: “Cardinal George went into overdrive to try to defeat the civil unions bill in Springfield. Every single piece of pro-rights legislation that's ever been proposed for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community, this cardinal and his predecessors have opposed.”

But in a statement yesterday George shot back: "Some members of the Gay Liberation Network demonstrated in front of Holy Name Cathedral on Sunday, February 13, protesting against Catholic Church teaching on the immorality of homosexual genital relations and opposition to so called 'gay marriage.' These are deeply felt issues, because they speak to the personal identity of some and to the religious beliefs of others. No matter the issue, Catholics should be able to worship in peace, without fear of harassment. An open display of prejudice against the Catholic Church because of resentment of Church teachings prejudices civil discourse in our society.”

Genital relations? Prejudice? Oh now that wouldn't be an attempt to dehumanize your opponents, and claim the opprressed mantle for yourself would it Cardinal George? After all, no powerful longstanding international organization is attempting to strip you of your rights, even to express yourself in such a sinister fashion.

So perhaps you can cool the rhetoric and extend them the same courtesy that you ask for yourself. The LGBT protesters are not attempting to change the Church's mind after all, they are simply protesting at the Church's continuing political interference in their private lives.

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pacifist | Feb 15, 2011, 01:05 PM EST

FAO the Moderator: I see there is a comment attributed to me which I did not submit. It begins with the words, " Why is theis guy writing for Irish Central etc., ". I did not write or submit this. Please delete. Thank you!

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Nicomax | Feb 15, 2011, 12:54 PM EST

The good Cardinal seems to forget that his diocese happens to be in a country wherein secular law trumps religious law. He can exclaim all he wants about other people's sexual preferences, but it's only when local, state and federal governments rule on such issues that it matters. Now there are a variety of theocracies around the world where he may feel more comfortable.

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IrishCanuck | Feb 15, 2011, 12:06 PM EST

I have nothing against the Catholics or any other religion being against gays etc, but what I am against is that they want to influnence governments into doing there will and that is not right. If they would keep it to themselves and not take it to the governments(which religion and government aren't suppose to mix) they wouldn't be harrassed by these people. I believe that gays should have the right to marry and my church does to but we don't lobby the government with our veiws or bother people. We are not God folks and the sooner we understand this the better we will be.

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hollabackgurl | Feb 15, 2011, 12:05 PM EST

Irish Central should censor your last comments to, "pacifist" - they have nothing to do with the article written above. You have the right to post unrelated comments and they have the right to delete them as irrelevant to the article.

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pacifist | Feb 15, 2011, 11:57 AM EST

olovely, I suppose you are alluding to be when I quote stastics and suggest I made them up myself? Irish central and Cahir O'Doherty can investigate the assertions I made and if they can find any evidence to refute my claims they can publish them. But since what I wrote is true all they can do is censor anyything I submit. So far three or four comments containing my assertions were displayed briefly and then deleted, presumably because somebody without counter claims that could be substaniated reported them as abuse. If you can't shoot the messenger eliminate the message. Whatever happened the First Amendment? But the contents of my posts are still there for Irish Central and Cahir O'Doherty to refute with their own facts and stastics if they so desire. But I don't expect them do so since that would be thinking they can pull of the impossible.

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pacifist | Feb 15, 2011, 11:06 AM EST

Why is this guy writing for Irish Central? There is nothing absolutely remotely Irish about this story and in fact it is anti-Catholic bashing. Get rid of this guy!

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olovely | Feb 15, 2011, 10:22 AM EST

What view of life do you think gay people have, seanskelligs? Don't you really mean "People who don't like gays?" Wouldn't it be more honest to say that? You didn't chose the color of your eyes, your ethnic background or your sexuality - and you would protest if others discriminated against you based on them. I've been watching the people who were writing anti-gay stuff here - they weren't commenting on this story, they were using it as a forum to gay bash with statistics they made up themselves.

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PhlutiePhan | Feb 15, 2011, 10:22 AM EST

Man is not a god who sets his own rules. There is a God and we have to make efforts to find out just "what the 'eck He wants us to do. We all that Scripture. Semper Fi.

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seanskelligs | Feb 15, 2011, 09:58 AM EST

So the gay community dont like people who do not share their view of life? Hitler did this! They are not looking for equality-they already have that. What they are looking for is an extra right to marry someone of the same sex-thats banned for everybody not just gays. Everybody including gays have the right to marry someone of the opposite sex. Dont censor other viewpoints just because you dont like the law

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mayoman | Feb 15, 2011, 09:06 AM EST

To quote Cardinal George: "Catholics should be able to worship in peace, without fear of harassment." To which I add that gay men and women deserve to live in peace, and to love any marry whomever they wish, without fear of harassment.

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