GAY COUPLES OFFERED UP ON THE ALTAR OF ABSTINENCE AT CATHOLIC CONFERENCE


(RSM News, Oct 1, 2008) The Rainbow Sash Movement (RSM) issued the following statement concerning Jamie Soto, the coadjutor bishop of Sacramento, who addressed the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Outreach Ministries conference in Long Beach, California on September 18, 2008 concerning his opposition to Gay Marriage.

The Bishop's talk expressed clearly what the present Teaching position of the Catholic Church is on Gay Couples. He also explained the Church's support for the California ballots Proposition 8, which would overturn the California Supreme Court's decision earlier this year instituting same-sex marriage. In a clear assault on Gay Couples the bishop stated. "Let me be clear here; Sexual intercourse, outside of the marriage covenant between a man and a woman, can be alluring and intoxicating but it will not lead to that liberating journey of true self-discovery and an authentic discovery of God. For that reason, it is sinful. While same-sex relations can be; for homosexuals, it from the true meaning of the act and distracts them from the true nature of love to which God has called us all."

We hope that everything the Church does to reach out to its marginalized GLBT sisters and brothers would reflect the two great attributes of God and the Bible, justice and mercy. The point is that while God is both just and merciful, God's mercy often overrides or trumps God's justice. One of the persistent complaints against Jesus by his opponents was that he reached out to sinners, and proclaiming to them the mercy of God and promising them entrance into the Kingdom of God. However, he warned the religiously observant, the scribes and Pharisees; they may fall short of the kingdom.

Admission to God's kingdom is not up to Bishop Soto or any other human being, it is God's gift alone. Clearly his address to the National Association of GLBT Catholics reaps of unambiguous Tokenism. Bishop Soto unfortunately focuses on the act-centered, sin-conscious, and legalistic view of Catholic moral life as far as gay marriage is concerned.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord." These words from the book of Isaiah (55:8) remind us that we should not judge God's justice to our own limited human perspective of Justice as the Bishop has done.

The Rainbow Sash Movement wishes to encourage the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries to reflect on Bishop Soto keynote address to their membership. What he said was troubling because he tried to introduce conflict between our identities of being Gay and Catholic. Like you we had hoped he would have approached religion with sophistication rather than pitting love against dogma. He spoke as if he did not understand or appreciate the diversity of interpretations of religious texts, and the relevance of our daily lives in understanding those texts. Many have felt betrayed by his words.
We cannot conceive of love of God which does not include the love of your GLBT neighbor. Love without Justice is a farce. Unless the Catholic Bishops walk the path of Justice in terms of our Civil Rights any talk of love is idle chatter. Justice is bare minimum of love. Any discussion concerning a just social order which is void of GLBT civil rights is a way of avoiding the obligations of rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Bishop Soto is a master of self-deception if he sees himself as promoting Christ love, while making no attempt to correct the injustices that oppress many in the GLBT community.
The Rainbow Sash Movement believes in the intrinsic goodness of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) couples who make life long commitments to each other in faithfulness and joy. God's love is present in these marriages and commitments, with or without the Church's approval. The Great Tradition of the Church is not contained in the Bishop Soto's words.

We are calling on our brothers and sisters in the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries to throw off the yoke of clerical leadership that promotes a closeted mentality in ministry. It is time for you to speak out against Proposition 8, in California, Proposition 2 in Florida, and Proposition 102 in Arizona. Love's journey lasts a lifetime, but works of justice mark its first steps. Without Justice, Love is just a word. To remain silent about this homophobia would be a betrayal of our Catholic belief in Social Justice. Ultimately, the homophobic structures within the Church themselves must be challenged.
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