Chicago Cardinal Equates Gay Rights Movement With the KKK

[Carolyn Marie]

I had not heard about this until today. While apparently not mentioning the trans community specifically, it is nonetheless an awful comparison to make against the broader LGBT Community. Such comments against any other group would have resulted in public outrage, IMO.

http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=35469

Carolyn Marie

[Guest NatashaJade]

They say it's because the parades keep people from getting to church, but they don't condemn St. Patty's day parades...

[Guest Robin Winter]

His self-serving personal bias against the GLBT Community (Pride Parade) is a knee jerk reaction to his and the Catholic Conference of Illinois recent political loss regarding Civil Unions

Again...whatever happened to separation of church and state? Religion has no place in politics. I have never questioned a particular religions right to govern itself even if that means they won't accept members of the LGBT community or marry them or what have you, and I will never support the idea that the church should have any influence whatsoever over secular matters.

[Guest Donna Jean]

Such comments against any other group would have resulted in public outrage, IMO.

Carolyn Marie

Well, I'm part of the public and I'm outraged!

Donna Jean

[Guest Mia J]

I agree Carolyn. We had a case here in Colorado where the children of a lesbian couple were kicked out of Catholic school because of their lifestyle.

Mia

[Guest Luturna]

How I wish there was a separation of church and state in the UK!

The head of state is also the head of the church, we still have bishops unelected in the house of lords and religious schools gets tax breaks.

But there is more legislation for equality in the UK than there is in USA that I recall but could be wrong.

[Guest KimberlyF]

They say it's because the parades keep people from getting to church, but they don't condemn St. Patty's day parades...

Well they're not the same routes or starting times. The St. Pats parade is usually a Sat. event.

The uproar of the pride parade this year is the route goes right past a church during service and there will be traffic issues they claim while years past the parade started at a different time. At least that's the bickering I hear back and forth.

I think they fight each other and their support base grows. Both sides are happy w/the press.

[Guest John Chiv]

Kimberly,

Thanks for pointing that out; I would not want noise during Mass, whether it was pride or any other parade. We had a similar issue locally with poor planning by the Committee and in fact it divided the LGBT community. Respect begets respect. And when pride changes plans they need to consider that others have events and lives.

In this case it may have become where some on each side fight and the few extremes argue but could have been avoided by proper planning.

John

[Carolyn Marie]

This is what the Cardinal said, according to mainstream media:

“You don’t want the gay liberation movement to morph into something like the Ku Klux Klan, demonstrating in the streets against Catholicism,” George states.

George goes on to add that “the rhetoric of the Ku Klux Klan; the rhetoric of some of the gay liberation people — who is the enemy? Who is the enemy? The Catholic Church.”

That doesn't sound like a dispute over a parade route. It sounds homophobic. How does LGBT pride and demand for equal rights equate to a war against Catholicism? There are a great many clergy in this country and around the world who welcome LGBT parishioners and churchgoers. Not the Catholic hierarchy, unfortunately.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest John Chiv]

Carolyn,

That statement is wrong, however the media reports stuff out of context and we will never get the whole story. And if he said that, and it is accurately reported, he needs to apologize. The media is often anti-Catholic so I take things reported with a grain of salt. One Cardinal or one priest does not speak for all Catholics or any religion.

John

[Sally]

OK, time for some irreverent humor.

He is comparing our demonstrations to the KKK - which group is wearing the sheets and funny hats?

Seriously, whenever you are afraid of something, especially when it is due to ignorance, you try to gain support for your position to defend against it by vilifying it - comparing it to the KKK or the cup cake party are two of the favorites of such groups.

I did notice that in selecting a group that terrorized a large group of people he passed over his own heritage of the Spanish Inquisition.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Juniper Blue]

This is what the Cardinal said, according to mainstream media:

“You don’t want the gay liberation movement to morph into something like the Ku Klux Klan, demonstrating in the streets against Catholicism,” George states.

George goes on to add that “the rhetoric of the Ku Klux Klan; the rhetoric of some of the gay liberation people — who is the enemy? Who is the enemy? The Catholic Church.”

That doesn't sound like a dispute over a parade route. It sounds homophobic. How does LGBT pride and demand for equal rights equate to a war against Catholicism? There are a great many clergy in this country and around the world who welcome LGBT parishioners and churchgoers. Not the Catholic hierarchy, unfortunately.

Carolyn Marie

Yes, John ... the LGBT needs to be considerate but this is a pretty harsh quote by the Cardinal ... and seems homophobic.

Thumbs down to the Cardinal on this one ... Thankfully, many Catholics are more supportive and are indeed our allies.

JB

[Guest Robin Winter]

Yeah...after seeing the actual quote, assuming that is the actual quote, that's not nearly as bad as I imagined. No, it's not polite, and certainly not true, but claiming a group will publicly denounce catholocism is a far cry from torture and murder.

[Guest SaleneAlexis]

Oh and they aren't guilty of being the same way in the past. What about the burning times? They killed Millions of women, and not all of them deserved it. I hope this doesn't offend any catholics on here, It is not towards you. The church should look at its own history before bashing on anyone :/

Stephanie