Catholic Archbishop Warns of “National Conflict” Over Marriage Equality

Jim Burroway

September 23rd, 2011

Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, who heads the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, warned President Barack Obama that his refusal to support a federal ban on same-sex marriage would “precipitate a national conflict between church and state of enormous proportions.” The letter, dated Sept 20, marks a notable escalation in the political rhetoric from the Catholic Church:

Dolan said the bishops are especially upset that the administration and opponents of DOMA are framing their argument as a civil rights issue, which he said equates “opposition to redefining marriage with either intentional or willfully ignorant racial discrimination.”

…”The administration’s failure to change course on this matter will … precipitate a national conflict between church and state of enormous proportions and to the detriment of both institutions,” Dolan warned.

The two-page letter was followed by a three-page analysis from the USCCB’s legal staff that charges the administration with “hostility” to traditional marriage and a “new, more aggressive position” on behalf of gay marriage. In especially strong language, it also argues that the administration treats millions of Americans who oppose gay marriage “as if they were bigots.”

Emcee, cubed

September 23rd, 2011

“In especially strong language, it also argues that the administration treats millions of Americans who oppose gay marriage “as if they were bigots.””

If the shoe fits…

Priya Lynn

September 23rd, 2011

…“The administration’s failure to change course on this matter will … precipitate a national conflict between church and state of enormous proportions and to the detriment of both institutions,” Dolan warned.

If that’s true then its equally true that the CHURCH’S failure to change course will do the same.

“it also argues that the administration treats millions of Americans who oppose gay marriage “as if they were bigots.””.

They are bigots. If they don’t want to be treated as such then stop being bigots.

Kathy

September 23rd, 2011

Why do they always ignore all the denominations who love their gay and lesbian members and clergy? At this time, our gov’t is telling the UCC and UMC and others that their marriage ceremony can only be valid for straight members. Why does one religion have preference over another?

PhilDC

September 23rd, 2011

” the administration treats millions of Americans who oppose gay marriage “as if they were bigots.”

I’ve heard this argument before from NOM and their ilk that the government will start “treating” anti-equality individuals as “bigots” or “racists”.

But here’s the thing; the government doesn’t treat “bigots” or “racists” like ANYTHING. Bigot and racist are not legal terms; white supremacists, anti-semites, etc. are in no way punished by the government for holding those views.

What they are really afraid of is that their view will become unpopular and people won’t like them, so it is therefore the governments job to ENFORCE the popularity of their opinions.

Generally the reaction on our side is to say they are bigots and compare them to racists; this is true but I don’t think this is the most effective messaging strategy.

Rather, i think we should compare same-sex couples to interfaith couples. Many religions oppose interfaith marriage and no one claims adherents of this view are bigots. At the same time, no expects the government to ban interfaith marriage i n order to support “religious liberty”.

I think “gay couples are like interfaith couples” is a lot more palatable, less inflammatory message then “gay couples are like interracial couples”. Just my two cents.

Intrepid

September 23rd, 2011

If the Catholic Church wants to ban marriage that’s their protected constitutional right. This has NOTHING to do with Civil Gay Marriage – the right to get married under state and federal law. The Catholic Archbishop needs to read the US Constitution and the US Supreme Court decisions on Separation of church and state. He apparently thinks that the Church should control US Law.

Robert

September 23rd, 2011

I see, the Catholic bishops think that it perfectly reasonable that their gay followers as clerics can marry Jesus but their non-cleric followers who choose another partner can’t marry. The clerics who marry Jesus can and should get full tax breaks paid for by the public, including those public who don’t believe in Jesus, but the gays married to same sex partners should get absolutely no political recogition and in fact should be penalized. So these are people who present themselves as being good? And by the way, even non-Catholics should follow these rules and discriminate against gays because the Catholics say they know what is right for everyone. Forgive my sarcasm.

MJC

September 23rd, 2011

Well said, PhilDC. It is an ancient trick of religions to get governments to do their bidding for them—but our constitution forbids it, because our founders were all too familiar with it.

Priya Lynn

September 23rd, 2011

I second MJC – well said Phillip, I’m impressed with your insight.

Terry T

September 23rd, 2011

Archbishop Timothy Dolan, you ARE bigots.

iDavid

September 23rd, 2011

To the catholic clergy who finds young boys more attractive than women or the reinstatement of marriage for clergy, don’t you have your own fires to be addressing re relationships via “gods” approval? Stones and glass houses etc….

Kate

September 23rd, 2011

Speaking as a resident of Milwaukee, can I just say I am SOOO glad that Timmy decided to pack up his bag of bigoted rhetoric and leave us for the Big Apple? My condolences, Ney Yorkers, but I guess Beer City just wasn’t a big enough podium for his ass-hattery.

Leave A Comment

All comments reflect the opinions of commenters only. They are not necessarily those of anyone associated with Box Turtle Bulletin. Comments are subject to our Comments Policy.

(Required)
(Required, never shared)

PLEASE NOTE: All comments are subject to our Comments Policy.

 

Latest Posts

The Things You Learn from the Internet

"The Intel On This Wasn't 100 Percent"

From Fake News To Real Bullets: This Is The New Normal

NC Gov McCrory Throws In The Towel

Colorado Store Manager Verbally Attacks "Faggot That Voted For Hillary" In Front of 4-Year-Old Son

Associated Press Updates "Alt-Right" Usage Guide

A Challenge for Blue Bubble Democrats

Baptist Churches in Dallas, Austin Expelled Over LGBT-Affirming Stance

Featured Reports

What Are Little Boys Made Of?

In this original BTB Investigation, we unveil the tragic story of Kirk Murphy, a four-year-old boy who was treated for “cross-gender disturbance” in 1970 by a young grad student by the name of George Rekers. This story is a stark reminder that there are severe and damaging consequences when therapists try to ensure that boys will be boys.

Slouching Towards Kampala: Uganda’s Deadly Embrace of Hate

When we first reported on three American anti-gay activists traveling to Kampala for a three-day conference, we had no idea that it would be the first report of a long string of events leading to a proposal to institute the death penalty for LGBT people. But that is exactly what happened. In this report, we review our collection of more than 500 posts to tell the story of one nation’s embrace of hatred toward gay people. This report will be updated continuously as events continue to unfold. Check here for the latest updates.

Paul Cameron’s World

In 2005, the Southern Poverty Law Center wrote that “[Paul] Cameron’s ‘science’ echoes Nazi Germany.” What the SPLC didn”t know was Cameron doesn’t just “echo” Nazi Germany. He quoted extensively from one of the Final Solution’s architects. This puts his fascination with quarantines, mandatory tattoos, and extermination being a “plausible idea” in a whole new and deeply disturbing light.

From the Inside: Focus on the Family’s “Love Won Out”

On February 10, I attended an all-day “Love Won Out” ex-gay conference in Phoenix, put on by Focus on the Family and Exodus International. In this series of reports, I talk about what I learned there: the people who go to these conferences, the things that they hear, and what this all means for them, their families and for the rest of us.

Prologue: Why I Went To “Love Won Out”
Part 1: What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Part 2: Parents Struggle With “No Exceptions”
Part 3: A Whole New Dialect
Part 4: It Depends On How The Meaning of the Word "Change" Changes
Part 5: A Candid Explanation For "Change"

The Heterosexual Agenda: Exposing The Myths

At last, the truth can now be told.

Using the same research methods employed by most anti-gay political pressure groups, we examine the statistics and the case studies that dispel many of the myths about heterosexuality. Download your copy today!

And don‘t miss our companion report, How To Write An Anti-Gay Tract In Fifteen Easy Steps.

Testing The Premise: Are Gays A Threat To Our Children?

Anti-gay activists often charge that gay men and women pose a threat to children. In this report, we explore the supposed connection between homosexuality and child sexual abuse, the conclusions reached by the most knowledgeable professionals in the field, and how anti-gay activists continue to ignore their findings. This has tremendous consequences, not just for gay men and women, but more importantly for the safety of all our children.

Straight From The Source: What the “Dutch Study” Really Says About Gay Couples

Anti-gay activists often cite the “Dutch Study” to claim that gay unions last only about 1½ years and that the these men have an average of eight additional partners per year outside of their steady relationship. In this report, we will take you step by step into the study to see whether the claims are true.

The FRC’s Briefs Are Showing

Tony Perkins’ Family Research Council submitted an Amicus Brief to the Maryland Court of Appeals as that court prepared to consider the issue of gay marriage. We examine just one small section of that brief to reveal the junk science and fraudulent claims of the Family “Research” Council.

Daniel Fetty Doesn’t Count

Daniel FettyThe FBI’s annual Hate Crime Statistics aren’t as complete as they ought to be, and their report for 2004 was no exception. In fact, their most recent report has quite a few glaring holes. Holes big enough for Daniel Fetty to fall through.