Oct 22, 2008

A pastor makes an apology

You might recall a recent post here about the pastor of San Gabriel Mission making injudicious comments against Proposition 8, the Defense of Marriage initiative.

Here is some good news, thanks to commenter Tom, who has sent in the following item:

From the San Gabriel Mission Weekly Bulletin, dated October 19, 2008...

Dear Parishioners of San Gabriel Mission:

The Peace of Christ be with you!

Two weeks ago, I presented in a bulletin letter an overview of the three Propositions (4, 6 and 8) on which our California Bishops’ Conference has taken an official position. I presented these positions in summary, but then added my own personal opinion regarding Proposition 8, framing it as a matter of my conscience. I regret and apologize for placing my opinions on the same level as our Bishops, “the authentic teachers of the faith.” I fully respect and support our Bishops’ position that Proposition 8 does not intend to infringe on the human and legal rights of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters; rather it seeks to preserve the restriction of the term “marriage” to the complementary, life-long partnership of the whole of life, open to the gift of children, between one man and one woman.

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. Steve Niskanen, CMF, Pastor.

8 Comments:

Blogger Joe of St. Thérèse said...

This is good news. The priest is allowed to hold private opinions, but can not express them publicly

11:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Stunning!!!

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

Now that's refreshment!!!

1:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"I regret and apologize for placing my opinions on the same level as our Bishops..." Like a child, the good Father is sorry for getting caught, not for leading others into error. Hardly an apology. -gravey-

6:32 PM  
Blogger A Shepherd's Voice said...

Hi, Q.

You may have seen this already, but our Catholic Bishops have made videos articulating Catholic teaching about marriage:

http://www.marriagematterstokids.org/

9:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm happy he has come to the truth. :)

11:51 AM  
Blogger Quintero said...

Reverend and Dear Father Malloy,

Thank you very much for the link to this valuable pro-marriage web site in which our bishops articulate timeless Catholic teaching.

And may I join with everyone who visits this site, to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your faithful, fruitful priestly service through the years.

Everyone who visits ole Q will also enjoy visiting your excellent San Francisco-area web site at http://johnmalloysdb.blogspot.com/

Thank you again, Father!

8:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can't believe this. You people are crazy. How can you call yourself people of God when all you do is judge. I though only God could judge. He has not come to truth, he just doesnt not want to be excommunicated by all you God loving people. All of you need to open your eyes and see that this is a moral issue, not something to be restricted by law. OPEN YOUR EYES ITS 2008, equality for all!

10:31 PM  
Blogger Quintero said...

Dear Anonymous 10:31 p.m.,

When Jesus said, "Judge not, lest ye be judged," He meant for you and me and everyone not to judge the state of someone else's soul.

Given what Jesus also said about hypocrisy, He also meant that we should not presume we are good.

Jesus told us that the man was justified who stood in the back of the temple and prayed, "O God, be merciful to me, a sinner," not the man who said, "I thank You that I am not like the rest of men."

There is a big lesson there for me, for you, for all of us.

But do you really think it is too much to ask of a Catholic priest that he affirm and preach Catholic truths of 2,000 years' standing?

Do you really think the Church should have no say about the Sacrament of Matrimony, which Jesus Himself established?

Do you really think there should be no laws about marriage?

Why would this being the year 2008 have any bearing on morality?

Why would morality change because the year is 2008?

If someone in the year 1408 had said, "Open your eyes, it's 1408," and wanted to redefine morality, would you have agreed with him?

8:49 PM  

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