Archbishop Dolan Declares War on Gay Friendly Catholics

I'll admit it - I have nothing but contempt for the porcine Archbishop of New York (and the rest of the Catholic Church hierarchy, many of whom ought to be in prison over their malfeasance in over ups of sex abuse crimes). Rather than deal with the many huge problems in the Catholic Church - like ridding the Church of child rapist enablers and protectors - Porky Pig Dolan - who looks to have never missed a meal - has declared war on any Catholic who might believe that same sex couples deserve even a shred of legal recognition of their relationships. The irony, of course, is that Dolan's already too late in seeking to brow beat the laity, a significant portion of which has already shifted to support same sex marriage. Nonetheless, Dolan seems to think the laity is willing to accept Inquisition like fiats without question. Let's hope his heavy handedness serves to merely drive more Catholics away from the morally bankrupt Church. A piece in the California Catholic sets out the details of Dolan's anti-gay declaration. Here are some highlights:

[I]t is the policy of the Archdiocese of New York that:

(1) No member of the clergy (priest or deacon) incardinated in the Archdiocese of New York, or any person while acting as an employee of the Church, may participate in the civil solemnization or celebration of a same-sex marriage, which includes but is not limited to providing services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, good or privileges for such events. Ecclesiastical solemnization or celebration of same-sex marriages is expressly forbidden by Canon law.

(2) No Catholic facility or property, including but not limited to parishes, missions, chapels, meeting halls, Catholic educational, health, or charitable institutions or benevolent orders, or any place dedicated, consecrated, or used for Catholic worship may be used for the solemnization or consecration of same-sex marriages.

(3) No items dedicated, consecrated, or used for the celebration of Catholic liturgy or sacred worship, including but not limited to sacred vessels, vestments, liturgical books or other items may be used for the civil solemnization of a same-sex marriage.

(4) Failure to adhere to this policy may result in the imposition of canonical sanctions.

In the preamble to the decree, Dolan makes it clear that he's not just targeting the clergy with his treat of "canonical sanctions." He states as follows:

I hereby decree the following diocesan policy regarding same-sex civil marriages. This policy is to be followed by all persons whose activities are subject to my moral authority as Archbishop of New York. It is intended to provide instruction for the activities of these persons and for the use of the property and facilities of the Church and Catholic-affiliated entities within the canonical boundaries of this Archdiocese.

Frankly, I'd argue that Dolan and most of the Church hierarchy, including Benedict XVI have no moral authority. They threw that away years ago when the official Church policy was to hid abuse and put the interest of sexual predators ahead of the interest of children and youths.