The Indiana Catholic Bishops respond
By Tom Quiner
It took six days, but the Catholic Bishops of Indiana finally responded to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act which so enrages advocates of same-six marriage and homosexual rights:
April 1, 2015
The recent passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in Indiana appears to have divided the people of our state like few other issues in recent memory. We urge all people of good will to show mutual respect for one another so that the necessary dialogue and discernment can take place to ensure that no one in Indiana will face discrimination whether it is for their sexual orientation or for living their religious beliefs.
The Catholic Church is convinced that every human being is created in the image of God. As such, each and every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. This includes the right to the basic necessities for living a good life, including adequate healthcare, housing, education, and work. The Catholic Church teaches that the principle of religious freedom also is rooted in the dignity of the human person. Religious freedom is one of the most cherished rights in the U.S. Constitution. The rights of a person should never be used inappropriately in order to deny the rights of another. We are called to justice and mercy.
We believe that it is crucial that religious freedom be protected. As Pope Francis wrote in his apostolic exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel: “No one can demand that religion should be relegated to the inner sanctum of personal life, without influence on societal and national life, without concern for the soundness of civil institutions” (n. 183).
We support efforts to uphold the God-given dignity of all the people of this state while safeguarding the rights of people of all faiths to practice their religion without undue burden from the government.
Most Rev. Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Most Rev. Charles C. Thompson, Diocese of Evansville
Most Rev. Donald J. Hying, Diocese of Gary
Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades, Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
Most Rev. Timothy L. Doherty Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana
With weak statements like this, it is no wonder we are in the shape we are in today. The First Amendment protects freedom of religion. There is no freedom of sexuality/orientation–the last 40 years of Supreme Court decisions have been made up to satisfy the liberal agenda. Speak up now, people, or our freedom will be lost.
I react somewhat like you. My wife was okay with the statement; I wanted something a little more direct.
I couldn’t agree more. I don’t think the Church takes seriously the tenacious nature of the homosexual community, nor their threat, along with the atheists, to Christianity’s future. Their dogged, vigilant pursuit of their debauched agenda through our secularized court system puts the Church’s mealy-mouthed efforts to shame. Where are our warrior priests?
I agree. I’m looking for a stronger response. The homosexual lobby makes Planned Parenthood look like a bunch of light weights.
Yes, and to think that they are only .05% of the population. San Francisco has the highest concentration of homosexuals in the country and even there, they are only 6% of the population. Why are all of the influential people in the country so afraid of them? I think most politicians and church officials think there are more of them then there actually are because they are so loud!
Two words: 1. Political, 2. Correctness.
Yes. A technique that developed to explain- away non-Christian, radical, second-wave feminist’s lies about Christian men.
Does anyone remember Church Militant? That is what we need!
Interesting, about time Religion disappeared isn’t it…
PS. ‘same-sex’..
If church disappears, we will be no different than the savages in Africa.
You are right; but the Church will never disappear, no matter how hard Obama tries.