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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