tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876502085465766394.post7262418627042748204..comments2024-01-17T03:08:25.317-06:00Comments on The Progressive Catholic Voice: Open Letter to Archbishop Nienstedt – #5PCV Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12519134580470262558noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876502085465766394.post-15814390739826763142014-09-06T09:40:30.330-05:002014-09-06T09:40:30.330-05:00I, as you, revere the institution of marriage as t...I, as you, revere the institution of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. I am the youngest of three children born of such a sacred union of 66 years come September 11, 2014. Yet, my reverence does not preclude me from appreciating--from embracing--the vitality of same-sex marriage in creating a loving world. We can ill-afford to limit our understanding of marriage to heterosexual men and women. We must open ourselves to understanding human sexuality beyond titulating actions. Human sexuality, in its awe-filled fullness, far exceeds single actions. Human sexuality is not limited to traditional marriage, same-sex marriage, or living celibate. Human sexuality embraces the continuum. Human sexuality encompasses all that is involved in fulfilling our potential as human beings.<br />Same-sex marriage. Commitment and union are not the sole province of heterosexual men and women who are married. Nor is sexual orientation a sin to endure. <br />Quite to the contrary. Sin is the willful failure to fulfill one's God-given gifts, and human potential. Our cross to bear is the burden of knowing we have squandered our own talents, and fallen short of revealing the gifts we see in other human beings. Our cross to bear has no relation to sexual preference whatsoever.<br />Jesus, through his words and deeds, called us to be revelatory people. We are called to validate--to affirm--all human beings on the basis of their humanity, not on actions as we may judge them to be. We are not our brother's or sister's doorkeepers of judgment. We have not been so empowered.<br />Christ made clear three guiding principles must shape our daily lives: faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love.<br />Faith--unconditional faith. Hope--unconditional hope. Love--unconditional love. To condition faith, hope, and love on the basis of sexual preference dilutes the full meaning of our trifold call. <br />Let us live as Children of God, passionately dedicated to living with unconditional faith, hope, and love, so help us God.<br />Patty ThorsenAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07258766630483041801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876502085465766394.post-75341828259047404962014-08-28T08:00:05.803-05:002014-08-28T08:00:05.803-05:00Patty Thorsen,
I respectfully implore you to read...Patty Thorsen,<br /><br />I respectfully implore you to read God's word regarding marriage as a union and commitment of one man to one woman. To expect the Church that Christ established to turn from God's word regarding both marriage and same sex 'relations' is both unrealistic and uncharitable. People with same sex attractions have the same opportunity to live according to God's word as does anyone else. We all have our crosses to bear. We are all sinners. It is not in the best interest of any soul to validate him/her in sinful choices. ALL are called to chastity according to their vocation. The Church cannot condone the choice to engage in same sex 'relations' or 'marriage' because it is contrary to the word and will of God. Yet, the Church opens her arms to all regardless of sexual preference in faith, hope and love. We pray that each of us turns from our sins to live in accord with God's word.<br /><br />Most Sincerely,<br />Linda KichlineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com