by John-Henry Westen
June 4, 2013 (LifeSiteNews) – Already embroiled in controversy in recent months over issues related to abortion and contraception, Catholic Charities USA has courted new scandal with the announcement of the featured speaker at their 2013 annual gathering on September 15. In a May 17 press release Catholic Charities announced that Father Greg Boyle would keynote the event.
Father Boyle, a very popular figure for his work with the poor, is nonetheless a dissident priest who ridicules Catholic Church teaching on issues touching same-sex ‘marriage’ and women priests.
In an August 5, 2010 video interview with NonprofitNews Jesuit Fr. Boyle was asked about the overturning of the referendum to ban homosexual ‘marriage’ Proposition 8.
Fr. Boyle replied:
These things are actually easier than people make them out to be it seems to me. I think it’s always important to kind of say, ‘how does God see sexual orientation.’ Does God feel like that same-sex marriage could happen? I don’t think anybody who has a connection to God and God’s understanding and depth of compassion who’s gonna say no. And this is contrary to the party line.”
Fr. Boyle returned to the question later in the interview, speaking of opposing same-sex ‘marriage’ as “demonizing people.” He said, “You cannot demonize people [who] you know. It obliterates that forever. So, that’s important in all these issues, gay marriage, etc. All you need to know is the gay couple who have kids, and that obliterates forever anybody’s inclination to say this is wrong. “
Fr. Boyle also ridiculed the Catholic Church’s refusal to ordain women to the priesthood. “You know the Vatican just said that the ordination of women is a grave sin,” he said. “Have you ever met anybody who would agree with that, I mean my 85-year-old mother doesn’t…”
He continued, “It’s shameful to kind of say stuff like that because it’s not honest. … The Church should say I’m frightened that women will be ordained, that’s honest say that. But don’t say it’s a grave sin because that’s nonsense.”
Discussing the fact that Catholics married outside the Church are not permitted to receive Communion, Fr. Boyle said, “With poor folks, uneducated folks… You ask ‘em, what does the Church say, and they’re clear and what would God say, and they’re equally clear, it’s the opposite thing. Yeah and you just go, you know ‘the Church says I can’t go to communion because I’m not married in the Church’ but what would God want, ‘oh God thinks I should go to communion.’“
Boyle concluded the point exclaiming, “Hello?! What are we doing, come on!”
Asked for comment on the situation Michael Hichborn, Director of Defend the Faith for American Life League told LifeSiteNews, “The USCCB's document, 'Catholics in Political Life' can't be more clear. It specifically states that ' those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles ... should not be given awards, honors or platforms.' The fact of the matter is that Fr. Boyle said himself that he does not adhere to the Church's infallible teaching on homosexuality and women's ordination, and so he therefore should not be allowed a platform at Catholic Charities USA's annual gathering."
Catholic Charities Communications Director Patricia Cole told LifeSiteNews she had never heard about Fr. Boyle’s stances against Church teaching on the matter and would inform diocesan officials and respond later.
However, no response was received by press time.
Hichborn added: "The important question now that they know that Fr. Boyle is a dissenting priest,” said Hichborn, “is will they rescind the invitation?"
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