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Cardinal supports homosexuality in new book
April 09, 2012
Cardinal Carlos Martini has published a new book in which he gives support to same-sex marriages which is a denial of a moral teaching of the Catholic Church.
Now retired in Jerusalem, the former papabile archbishop of Milan, Cardinal Carlo Martini, has published a controversial book titled, Credere e conoscere (Faith and Understanding). As reported by LifeSiteNews[1], the cardinal writes of his opposition to Catholic moral teaching on the subject of same-sex marriages:
Every Catholic knows (or at least should) that such views are in direct contravention of the natural law and Church teaching. So how has such a highly-placed cardinal—a favorite amongst liberal social justice types—come to espouse them? One might be tempted to think this has occurred since a liberal prelate would not care about such "pre-Vatican II notions" that no longer have application to contemporary society.
But the able reporting of LifeSiteNews shows that this could not possibly be the case—for Pope Benedict XVI (the advocate of Vatican II"s "Hermeutic of Continuity") as Cardinal Ratzinger (when Prefect for the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith), published in 1986 a Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons. Within the letter, Cardinal Ratzinger corrected the erroneous notion that the Church's immutable teachings on homosexuality had been altered (due to Vatican II); consequently, the letter sought to curb the growing support that certain Catholics were giving to it:
Continuing in his 1986 letter, Cardinal Ratzinger further explained what was the only true and solicitous pastoral care for those genuinely struggling against homosexual inclinations:
Footnote
1 LifeSiteNews, March 27, 2012, "Cardinal Martini and the false theology promoting homosexuality".
I disagree with the positions of those in the Church, that take issue with civil unions… It is not bad, instead of casual sex between men, that two people have a certain stability… (the) …state could recognize them...And while agreeing with the concept of traditional marriage, Cardinal Martini goes on to say it is “not right to express any discrimination on other types of unions.”
Every Catholic knows (or at least should) that such views are in direct contravention of the natural law and Church teaching. So how has such a highly-placed cardinal—a favorite amongst liberal social justice types—come to espouse them? One might be tempted to think this has occurred since a liberal prelate would not care about such "pre-Vatican II notions" that no longer have application to contemporary society.
But the able reporting of LifeSiteNews shows that this could not possibly be the case—for Pope Benedict XVI (the advocate of Vatican II"s "Hermeutic of Continuity") as Cardinal Ratzinger (when Prefect for the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith), published in 1986 a Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons. Within the letter, Cardinal Ratzinger corrected the erroneous notion that the Church's immutable teachings on homosexuality had been altered (due to Vatican II); consequently, the letter sought to curb the growing support that certain Catholics were giving to it:
The movement within the Church, which takes the form of pressure groups of various names and sizes, attempts to give the impression that it represents all homosexual persons who are Catholics. As a matter of fact, its membership is by and large restricted to those who either ignore the teaching of the Church or seek somehow to undermine it. It brings together under the aegis of Catholicism homosexual persons who have no intention of abandoning their homosexual behavior. One tactic used is to protest that any and all criticism of or reservations about homosexual people, their activity and lifestyle, are simply diverse forms of unjust discrimination.And regarding so-called “Catholic” gay-lesbian groups:
No authentic pastoral program will include organizations in which homosexual persons associate with each other without clearly stating that homosexual activity is immoral. A truly pastoral approach will appreciate the need for homosexual persons to avoid the near occasions of sin.To the average Catholic, such statements simply state the obviousafter all, how many parishes have a “Catholic Adulterers League” or “Catholic Euthanasia Group” with official “Adultery” and “Euthanasia” Masses to boot for "pastoral support"?
Continuing in his 1986 letter, Cardinal Ratzinger further explained what was the only true and solicitous pastoral care for those genuinely struggling against homosexual inclinations:
…we wish to make it clear that departure from the Church’s teaching, or silence about it, in an effort to provide pastoral care is neither caring nor pastoral. Only what is true can ultimately be pastoral. The neglect of the Church’s position prevents homosexual men and women from receiving the care they need and deserve.Considering these comments from the current Holy Father and Cardinal Martini’s public dissent to them—and using the Vatican’s own words directed at the SSPX—one can only hope that His Eminence will be called to Rome to clarify his position or submit to a Moral Preamble “to ensure faithfulness to the Church Magisterium and sentire cum Ecclesia”, “to heal the existing rift” and thus “avoid an ecclesial rupture of painful and incalculable consequences”.
Footnote
1 LifeSiteNews, March 27, 2012, "Cardinal Martini and the false theology promoting homosexuality".
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