One of the few members of the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy for who I have any shred of respect is Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin who has repeatedly called out members of the hierarchy who aided in sex abuse cover ups and/or threatened and intimidated abuse victims. He seems to be nearly alone when it comes to recognizing that the Church is on a road to suicide if the hierarchy doesn't change its mindset and behavior. Now Martin is calling out opponents of marriage equality for what they are: insulting, obnoxious and most significantly, unchristian. yes, Martin is still wrong in his views, but he at least understands that horrific treatment and statements about gays is only accelerating the exodus from the Church and religion in general. Would that more Church leaders, including Pope Francis, not to mention American political leaders, had as much honesty and backbone. Here are highlights from Pink News:
In his address the Archbishop set out his own opposition to the issue, saying: “There is only one marriage and that is marriage as a basic human reality.
“There is a radical difference between marriage between a man and a woman and the union of two people of the same sex.”
However, he also condemned groups for allowing their stance on the issue to become “obnoxious”. He said: “I have consistently said that the debate must be carried on respectfully without the use of intemperate language.
“I would add that it must be carried on rationally and with respectful argument and not simply with one-liners aimed at stopping debate.
“I do however feel obliged to say that I have received in recent time correspondence from people who support a ‘no’ vote in the referendum in which the language used is not just intemperate but obnoxious, insulting and, unchristian in regard to gay and lesbian people.
“If people use such language to support a position they feel is Christian, then all I can say is that they have forgotten something essential about the Christian message.”
Ultimately, other than ignorance and bigotry embracing religious belief, there is no winning debate against same sex marriage - something that Martin sadly fails to concede. But at least he isn't coddling the hate merchants.
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