Thursday, March 11, 2010

Father Bill Breslin and his Cafeteria Dogma

Reading Father Bill Breslin’s Blog, regarding his disposal of children he does not like out of his Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Boulder Colorado, says something to me.

The Heart of the Matter
If a child of gay parents comes to our school, and we teach that gay marriage is against the will of God, then the child will think that we are saying their parents are bad. We don't want to put any child in that tough position - nor do we want to put the parents, or the teachers, at odds with the teachings of the Catholic Church. Why would good parents want their children to learn something they don't believe in? It doesn't make sense. There are so many schools in Boulder that see the meaning of sexuality in an entirely different way than the Catholic Church does. Why not send their child there?
I am reminded of the words of Saint Paul – Romans 13:1-7 – and obeying civil law.
1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.
4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.
7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (NIV)
I see that Colorado shot down Domestic Partnership by a very slim margin in 2006.

You may not be breaking the law yet in Colorado Father Breslin with your institutional Homophobia. When Colorado does legalize Domestic Partnership and or Gay Marriage, you will have to obey the law as the Apostle Paul compels and does not suggest, or you will have to close your teaching institution if you continue to discriminate.

You all talk about cafeteria Catholics choosing what to believe. I think it matches the Cafeteria Dogmas of clergy these days who will fight tooth and nail to prevent abortion and then shrug their shoulders with total indifference once a child is born.

Something missing in that equation I think. Namely true Humanity aka Christianity.

3 comments:

BrEd said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
M.McShea said...

Thank you Brother for your comments. I feel it hard sometimes in my position that I am in judgement of others and that is not always a good place to be. Let he who is without fault cast the first stone. Etc.

It is also good to vent in the name of honesty and decency. Especially if your heart is in the right place.

Without comparing myself to Jesus, he did a lot of venting in the name of justice and goodness. It is revealed all through the gospels.

Anonymous said...

It is regrettable that the compassion and understanding that you desire from others, is not something you practice yourself. It seems obvious that this priest was expressing compassionate concern for the children who are taught one thing by their faith and another by their parents. I do not see any stones being thrown by him or his comments. His concern seems authentic. It's very easy to use a couple well known Gospel versus and believe that Jesus is "on your side", It is quite another to turn the other cheek. I don't see alot of cheek turning in this blog posting.