Silly Putty Catholicism
Kris Berggren is upset. She tells the story (National Catholic Reporter, Jul. 4) of Kathy Itzin, “a nice, lesbian middle-aged mom who works as elementary faith formation director at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Minneapolis” who “almost received an ‘Excellence in Catechesis’ award from the St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese until someone pointed out the nature of her family life — she lives with her partner and their four children — to Archbishop Harry Flynn, who subsequently withdrew the award.”
Ms. Berggren is upset because she thinks Ms. Itzin is an ideal “role model mom.” Ms. Itzin has adopted children, “including a hard-to-place teenager and a child with special needs.” She volunteers at a homeless shelter. And so forth.
Well, Colleen Perfect, President of Catholic Parents OnLine, is the one who notified Archbishop Flynn. Ms. Berggren says of Mrs. Perfect: “She doesn’t want to see gay or lesbian people in church, except those who choose a life of celibacy,” whereas Ms. Berggren does want to see them there.
Ms. Berggren says that Ms. Itzin “has lived a life of faithfulness to the paramount Catholic values of justice and charity.” Ms. Berggren adds: “The bottom line for Catholics, as we all may rest assured, is the primacy of human conscience.”
You May Also Enjoy
Between the errors of inclusivism and pluralism, on the one hand, and a terrestrial, authoritarian concept of community, on the other, is a truer concept of peace.
Something Rotten... A Great Disservice... The Church's Proper Jurisdiction over Marriage... Christ's Vomitus... Our Need for Mercy... How Dare You!... In the Footsteps of the Master
One hopes that Hahn has absorbed the Catholic way of doing theology, but the theonomic way continues to influence his style and his views as a Catholic.