Most people know, I'm waiting for the day that the LGBT community has equal FEDERAL marriage rights. This does not mean that I'm not moved and excited with each state victory and deeply saddened by our losses. I'm a New Yorker.
Today a little good news: DC one step closer to marriage equality.
Alone in my studio, I brewed up a pot of organic Sencha (I know how to party) and I did a little happy dance for the good citizen's of the Nation's Capital.
Just as I poured my second cup, I received an e-mail from HRC. I assumed they wanted to get in on the happy dance, too.
Actually, they had grimmer news. They were asking me to send a letter to Archbishop Wuerl who, through the Catholic Charities organization, provides, among other things, medical services to some of the neediest in the DC area. (What a noble and honorable thing to do. Right?) Well it is, except when you threaten to pull the plug on the program because you don't want to have to serve gay married people, which is what the Archbishop is threatening to do.
I just need to say it's a good thing there are so many polyphenols in green tea. Because at this moment I'm sure my body is being overwhelmed by free radicals. I read the e-mail twice from HRC. There must be a mistake.
I was raised a Catholic. And I went to Catholic schools--I paid attention in class. But I have no memory of the day I was taught the lesson to screw the sick and disenfranchised. I guess I was absent that day.
As a gay man, I have plenty of problems with the Catholic church, one of those problems has never been their commitment to caring for the needy.
Those called to religious life are often filled with a loving spirit and a humble desire to serve God and care for the less fortunate. I pray to God ( and to St. Theresa too, who I'm super tight with) and I ask that They give Archbishop Wuerl the desire to reflect on his recent actions and the strength to reconsider his harmful threats.
And I hope that while he is in prayer and reflection, he takes the time to ask himself the simple question: What would Jesus do?
My guess is they would be of differing opinion.
2 comments:
Ken:
I was raised Catholic as well--second of ten--and I endured the march of the penguins all through grade school, so I can relate. Your blog entry, like a lot of missives from LGBT people is hard to read, especially in light of our shared background in love and compassion, or 'charity' as you say. I, too, will write to the good Bishop, but I fear it will do little good. What those in positions of authority in our churches need is a backbone. They have to know the damage their actions cause, the hurt to real people, in this case the neediest of their flock. They lack the moral courage to do what they must know is right. I feel bad for them. WWJD indeed.
Thanks so much for reading. And taking the time to write.
Here's hoping for more strides toward equality in 2010.
Happy New Year
Ken
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