Pro-gay priest suspended for signing affirming statement
In Arizona, the only Catholic priest who declined to remove his name from a statement affirming the rights of gays and lesbians has been suspended from ministry. The Reverend Andre Boulanger, who is retired, said yesterday that he got word of the suspension in the form of a letter from Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted. Boulanger was one of nine Phoenix Diocese priests to sign the Phoenix Declaration by the No Longer Silent - Clergy for Justice organization. Seven of the nine pulled their names off the declaration within two weeks of being asked to do so. An eighth finally removed his name this week.
AZ Central
Meanwhile, this Sunday, Catholics who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender will partner with their friends and families in communities worldwide to wear rainbow-colored sashes to Mass. "The sash is a statement saying that we are gay Catholics and part of the Catholic family taking our place at the table at Eucharist," said Brian McNeill, organizer of the Minnesota rainbow sash events. St. Cloud Bishop John Kinney issued a written statement about whether those who publicly profess support of actions or beliefs that go against church teaching should be denied Communion. "I will not allow Holy Communion to be used as a weapon in ongoing political and ideological battles," Kinney wrote. "It is not my intention to reject anyone who comes forward in a respectful manner to receive the body and blood of Christ."St. Cloud Times
The Gays and the Catholics
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