national interfaith rights conclave predicts religious progress for gays

[Algorem]

http://www.cleveland.com/living/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/living/1127900335163700.xml&coll=2

Rights conclave in Cleveland predicts religious progress for gays

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

The Vatican may be on the verge of delivering a stunning setback to homosexuals in the Catholic Church, but a ban on celibate gay seminarians cannot stop the momentum for gay and lesbian rights among the nation's religious groups, advocates for change say.

Members of a national interfaith coalition on gay rights in religion concluded a two-day strategy meeting Tuesday in Cleveland, condemning a proposed Vatican document that they say links homosexuality with pedophilia.

However, leaders seeking change in faiths from Catholicism to Islam to mainline Protestantism said the decision of the Episcopal Church to stand behind its election of a gay bishop and the United Church of Christ's vote to endorse same-sex marriages is part of a "great awakening" on gay rights issues.

"Collectively, we have to feel good about progress that is being made," said Debra Weill, executive director of DignityUSA, an independent Catholic gay-rights group. "Some of the churches have taken amazing steps."...

[ck4829]

1. I hope they're right

[mzteris]

2. Maybe this is the beginning

of the end of the Catholic Church?

They are already on the ropes with not having enough qualified Priests, and suffering from loss of income. Although, they could sell some of their assets, I suppose to make up for lack of tithing. Still, when the old generation dies off, who will be taking their place in the churches?

Fundamentalists are pretty much flocking to Protestant versions of Christianity, aren't they?

If they have no priests to preach and no congregants to preach to and no tithes to line the pockets of the Vatican machine - then what will be left?


Now about all those tax breaks churches receive..........

[davidinalameda]

3. as long as those churches that have taken "amazing steps"

are still in communion with the Vatican, they're still part of the problem!