The National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries met in San Diego last week and got a surprise: Bishop Jaime Soto, coadjutor bishop of Sacramento, “courageously but gently” reminded them of Christian teaching on human sexuality.
“Sexual relations between people of the same sex can be alluring for homosexuals, but it deviates from the true meaning of the act and distracts them from the true nature of love to which God has called us all,” Bishop Soto said. “For this reason, it is sinful. Married love is a beautiful, heroic expression of faithful, life-giving, life-creating love. It should not be accommodated and manipulated for those who would believe that they can and have a right to mimic its unique expression.”
Some walked out. Most sat in silence. A tiny few applauded. Afterwards, there was time for response and questions. 80% expressed their disappointment with Soto.
While the audience members were responding to the bishop’s remarks, a board member of the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries came up to one of the tables in the room and said, “On behalf of the board, I apologize. We had no idea Bishop Soto was going to say what he said.”
Be sure and read the full text of Soto’s remarks. It’s a prophetic statement of why Christians need to stand up to culture, not just go along with every wind, as well as a strong affirmation of Christian understanding of marriage and sexuality.
Updates:
- Reaction on a gay webpage.
- Rainbow Sash Movement responds.
This was really good. I’m not quite sure if it was convincing enough to change anyone’s mind, but I think it does a good job of explaining to people where some of those who oppose gay marriage and homosexual acts in general are coming from.
By: Mithun on September 26, 2008
at 10:38 am