the homosexual catholic debate

I came across a very interesting debate (of sorts) about Catholics and homosexuality on Lifesite.com . It seems that Fr James Martin advised 5 things that a gay Catholic should not do:

1. Enjoy Romatic Love
2. Marry
3. Adopt a Child
4. Enter a seminary of Religious order
5. Work in the church and be open


CHURCH TEACHING????

Now he bases these items on church teaching. See his blog here: http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?id=81913739-3048-741E-5405178212524077

His reasoning above refers to Marrying another of the same sex, or enjoying romantic love with the same sex. He even justifies his reason with church doctorine. Before today I did not know that there were paragraphs within the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) that dealt with Homosexuality. See CCC #2357, 2358, 2359.

The argument is a Moral one (and sexual) . It is why we as Catholics seperate boys and girls, and has nothing to do with prejudice. We are told to love the sinner and hate the sin. However, there is a guy from Austrailia who has taken a personal issue with the Father Martin.


THE SPOILER

John Heard is a blogger and a Catholic and he is gay. He runs a website called dreadnought : http://johnheard.blogspot.com/ John Writes as follows:

"However, and as millions of same sex attracted men and women will attest, the Church offers same sex attracted individuals the same life she offers all men and women: eternal life via the Cross. Those who go about their daily lives, those who go to Mass, and struggle to model obedience, and fail, and try again – these are Christians. That is all, and miraculously. We understand, indeed, that a Christian is not to look for life beyond obedience, rather obedience – even obedience unto death on the Cross – is true life.

The result is not the remains of a life it is life. It is life in Christ, life with Christ."


Straight Ban

Now, for the case of this argument I look at Homosexuality, as I would someone dealing with drug addiction, or sexual addiction. To live straight must be very hard indeed, and even as a straight married man I am called to follow most of those guidelines but in other aspects for example. I cannot show romantic love to anyone else other than my wife.


The new old argument

The new old argument that exists today is that one cannot help being homosexual. It is in the genes, they say. Well, it depends on the University that you read about. The following website gives an interesting view of the arguments for genetic homosexuality and debunks them, refering at times to studies by other universities that prove initial findings to be biased : http://www.trueorigin.org/gaygene01.asp


And if Jesus isn't enough for you
And if living a life in Christ is not good enough there are these guys http://www.narth.com/

Happy Baptism Day

Last night there was a meeting between the Cathedral group leaders and Father Assing. It was a good meeting. We were discussing New Evangelization and plans toward bringing people back to church. It is very exciting for me. We would be living out our faith as Jesus commanded: "Go and make disciples of all the nations" ... at least in some small way.

Further to this Father asked us if we knew our baptism day. I didn't. Such an important day for our faith. Only two of the about 30 people seemed to know. Well I know now. My baptism day is January 21st at St Pauls Church.... but I won't be telling you which year...lol!

So if you can remember your baptism day then let me be the first to wish you happy baptism day 2010.

Today, December 8th, is the feast of the Immaculate Conception. The feast of the Cathedral, the Mother church of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain.

Prayer to Our Lady Immaculate

Most holy Virgin, who wast pleasing to the Lord and became His Mother, immaculate in body and spirit, in faith and in love, look kindly on the wretched who implore thy powerful patronage. The wicked serpent, against whom was hurled the first curse, continues fiercely to attack and ensnare the unhappy children of Eve. Do thou, then, O Blessed Mother, our queen and advocate, who from the first instant of thy conception didst crush the head of the enemy, receive the prayers which, united with thee in our single heart, we implore thee to present at the throne of God, that we may never fall into the snares which are laid out for us, and may all arrive at the port of salvationand sing once again the hymn of deliverance and of victory and of peace. Amen. In Thy conception, O Virgin Mary, thou wast immaculate; pray for us to the Father, Whose Son, Jesus Christ conceived of the Holy Ghost, thou didst bring forth.

Holy Russia.

Peter the Great of Russia is one of my favourite historical people. (Another is Napoleon III of France.) One of Peters quests was to create Russia as the third Rome. When the original Rome fell to invading tribes, Constantinople rose as the new Rome. However, when Constantinople fell in 1453, the leader of the Russians Ivan III married the niece of the last Emperor Constantine XI and proclaimed himself Ceaser (Czar). It was the intention of every Russian ruler after to retake Constantinople. Catherine the Great was probably the closest having conquered vasts amount of Turkish lands, but not Istanbul. It is said that the last Russian Czar was also close when the Ottoman Empire was in its death throws and might have conquorered the area if not for the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Now there is a prophecy, that is given that a third Rome could never stand, however a Russian Monk in the 16th Century proclaimed Russia to be the third Rome. Russia itself tried to live up to that expectation.

Third Rome or not, it is truly good news to hear that the Vatican is developing full diplomatic relations with Moscow.

It is interesting to note that after Christianity and Islam, Athiests rank third in the numbers. Most because of communism and the outlawing of religion in communists states. Due to communism there are lots of hungary souls looking for Salvation in Russia. Many have prayed for the conversion of Russia as requested by the Virgin Mother in Fatima. So, I am sure it is with great joy that both Heaven and Earth welcomes the soon to be re-risen HOLY RUSSIA!

Catholic Village

A catholic village. What an idea! The artcile in todays Catholic News talks about a Catholic Village to highlight Catholicism. I think it is a great idea. I'm looking foward to the restaurants. http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1124:front061209-1&catid=34:frontpage&Itemid=61

first friday

It is the first friday in December. It is also the first friday of the rest of my life. Woo Hoo! Gotta live!

Brain and chips

Well it's not like Fish and Chips. It's like computer chips. Intel is researching the posibility of installing chips in peoples brains. The idea being explored would result in people surfing the internet by thought. Maybe it's a good thing. It would force us to keep God on our minds. A wrong thought and up pops a webpage that could be very embarassing.