From the Vatican: Homosexuality causes pedophilia

In response to the latest slew of pedophilia charges towards the Catholic Church, the Vatican’s number two in command suggests the incidents are linked to homosexuality rather than celibacy.

The Associated Press reports Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone’s rather unsettling comments during a press conference in Chile.

“Many psychologists and psychiatrists have demonstrated that there is no relation between celibacy and pedophilia. But many others have demonstrated, I have been told recently, that there is a relation between homosexuality and pedophilia. That is true,” said Bertone. “That is the problem.”

Chile recently became a hotbed of accusations against the Catholic Church. At least one of the priests, however, is accused of targeting young girls. A teenaged girl has even become pregnant.

(Photo: Associated Press)

Westboro Baptist Church appoints first gay minister

Topeka, Kansas — The Westboro Baptist Church has made history today, appointing its first openly gay minister. James Arrington, a 32-year-old minister hopes that he will set an example for others.

James Arrington is an openly gay minister who grew up in Topeka, Kansas.

In an interview with Equalitopia, Arrington said that he did not expect to be appointed a minister into the church. “I’m not sure exactly what it was,” he explained, “but I felt like I wouldn’t really fit into the church.”

Arrington hopes that being gay will set an example for the church’s members that God is accepting of everyone. “I plan on encouraging others in the church not to be afraid of their sexuality,” he said, “we just need to be ourselves and live by the word of God.”

Gay rights advocates call it a major victory for the LGBT movement, hoping that the Westboro Baptist Church will set an example for others.

The Westboro Baptist Church has not disclosed when Arrington’s first church service will take place, in fear that the public might protest the service.

(Photo: K. Ryan Jones)

Texas Town Furious Over Play About Gay Jesus

Residents of Stephenville, Texas are upset over Tarleton State University hosting a student production of “Corpus Christi,” which depicts a gay Jesus performing a same-sex wedding for two of his apostles.

Residents of Stephenville are outraged, according to Fox News. People are pressuring the university to stop the performance, which is set to Saturday at 8am. AOL News reports that the university is limiting attendance to students and family members for safety concerns. The play was also moved to 8am.

The 1998 play was written by Terrence McNally and depicts Jesus and the Apostles living in the modern day as gay men. In the play, Jesus kisses Judas at the Pontius Pilate High School’s senior prom and adminsters the gay marriage of two apostles.

According to the Fox News report:

“It infuriates me that somebody would be given a platform to be able to demean and degrade the Son of God,” said David Harris, pastor of the town’s Hillcrest Church of Christ. “I’m angry about it and every Christian should be.”

Though the play has won multiple awards, it has been subject to criticism by Christian groups. The playwrite has even received death threats, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

(Photo: Alek and Steph)

Preschooler Kicked Out of Catholic School for having Gay Parents

According to the Associated Press, a preschooler was kicked out of school because his parents were lesbians. The child will no longer be able to attend the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School in Boulder, Colorado.

According to a statement by the Denver Archdiocese, the parents weren’t living up to the policies of the school and church. They said that students with gay parents would be “confused.”

(Pictured: The Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School, via Google Street View)

Hundreds Walk Out of Church in Protest of Denying Communion to Homosexuals

Several hundreds activists in the Netherlands have walked out of a Sunday Mass in protest at the Roman Catholic policy that denies gay people communion. Protesters walked out of the church, shouting and singing, wearing pink wigs and clothes.

Despite the Netherlands being the first country to legalize gay marriage in 2001, the Roman Catholic Church teaches that homosexual activity is sinful.

This particular issue began earlier in February when a priest in a nearby town refused communion to an openly gay man.

According to The Associated Press, “the conflict began during Dutch carnival celebrations this month. An openly gay man in a village near Den Bosch was chosen for a prominent role, but his local priest refused him communion - offending many in the village.”

Read the full story at BBC News »

Uganda cleric shows gay porn in church

Pastor Martin Ssempa, an anti-gay clergyman in Uganda has showed a gay pornography in his church with about 300 people in attendance, in an attempt to gain support for proposed anti-homosexuality laws.

He told the BBC: “we have to educate ourselves about what homosexuals do.”

Uganda is currently pending an anti-homosexuality bill that will further criminalize homosexuality in the country. Over the past months, the bill has gained international attention and has been subject to much controversy.

iol.co.za quotes the pastor: “This one is eating another man’s penis.” He then went into even more graphic descriptions.

Equalitopia has a Facebook Page against Uganda’s anti-homosexuality bill.

(Photo: BBC)

Pope condemns gay equality laws ahead of first UK visit

Benedict XVI says legislation safeguarding rights of same-sex couples violates “natural law." He has called on Catholic priests in Britain to continue debating equality laws with officialdom.

Read the full article at guardian.co.uk »

“No gay marriage” —God

_{(Photo: Patti Sapone/The Star Ledger, found via RyanEmberley)}

Equality?