Nov 17, 2006  |  By: KEVIN NAFF  | COMMENTS     

churches turn a blind eye to the Vatican’s insulting positions on homosexuality and openly welcome gay and lesbian churchgoers. For many inner city churches, the gays are all that’s left of the congregation, given how many families have taken flight for the suburbs.

WHAT I DON’T understand is why gays and lesbians continue to show up for Catholic Mass. There are plenty of affirming churches out there now, from the network of Metropolitan Community Churches to many Episcopal, Methodist and United Church of Christ congregations. Spiritually minded gays and lesbians need not subject themselves to the harmful teachings of the Catholic Church under Pope Benedict, who has an odd obsession with homosexuality.

As we’ve learned from the recent case of Ted Haggard — the former evangelical leader and accused meth queen — it’s always the most sanctimonious people who are engaged in the worst behavior. Given Pope Benedict’s penchant for Prada and those cute red shoes, it’s a wonder he hasn’t been the subject of more speculation himself. 

The Catholic Church’s woefully outdated views on human sexuality would be quaint and amusing if they didn’t have such serious real-life consequences. Too many gay people are subjected to bullying, discrimination and violence to allow the church to get away with its demeaning pronouncements. I’m all for working for change from within. But at some point, gay and lesbian Catholics need to take a stand and refuse to allow the church to demonize them further. That time is now.