Support Archbishop Broglio!
(Left–Archbishop Timothy Broglio, U.S. Air Force photo/SSgt Anthony Nelson Jr)
On the Feast of our beloved patron, St. Robert Bellarmine, His Excellency Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese of Military Services, USA issued the following to Catholic Military Chaplains and also included some words to Catholic Commanders. Catholics in the military are very near and dear to the Bellarmine Forum–not only do we have supporters who are Active Duty and retired military, but several of our board members are veterans. Pray for Archbishop Broglio and the chaplains in the miltary. Offer an extra rosary for their perseverance amidst an ever encroahing and anti-Christian federal government. Perhaps even write a note of support! –John M. DeJak, President, The Bellarmine Forum
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
09/18/2013
Statement reiterates Church teaching on homosexuality
WASHINGTON, D.C. – His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, has sent to all priests and deacons in the Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS) a statement entitled “Renewed Fidelity in favor of Evangelization.” Signed on September 17, the memorial of St. Robert Bellarmine, the document provides guidance for Catholic chaplains and contract priests and deacons who may encounter ministry situations involving Catholic or non-Catholic parties in same gender “marital” relationships.
Here follows the text of the statement from Archbishop Broglio:
Renewed Fidelity in favor of Evangelization
As members of the Church founded by Jesus Christ to meet the needs of the baptized and to proclaim that good news about the salvation given by Him, we are also aware of His clear teaching about the danger of scandal (Mt. 18:6). This world is a pilgrimage to life without end. At the conclusion of our walk through life we must stand before the Throne of Grace to give an accounting of our fidelity.
While the tradition of the Catholic Church always tries to find reasons to bury the dead, a priest may not be placed in a situation where his assistance at a funeral for a Catholic would give the impression that the Church approves of same sex “marital” relationships (see CIC, c. 1184, §1,3º). In the case of doubt, the Archbishop for the Military Services, USA must be consulted (see CIC, c. 1184, §2).
Lay Ministries
Participation
We are also mindful of the Lord’s words, “Let the one among you who is guiltless be the first to throw a stone…” (Jn. 8:7b). The Church must minister to all regardless of their sexual inclination. While the invitation to conversion cannot be diluted, the door to the mercy of Christ, obtained through His Cross, must be kept open. Priests and deacons will be guided by the principles of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (cf. nos. 2358-2359) and never forget that it is the sin that is hated and never the sinner.
Guidance for Catholics in Command Positions
Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio
Archbishop for the Military Services
Washington, DC, 17 September 2013, Memorial of St. Robert Bellarmine
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https://bellarmineforum.org/support-archbishop-broglio/
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This sure is a balanced and thoughtful standard, and could not be either released or followed without a costly measure of moral courage. I ache for the Archbishop, those in command, and those Catholics in the military who have all been hung out to dry by Pope Francis’ imprudent remarks quoted today that we Catholics are putting too much attention on these matters of human sexuality, without any regard on his part (and in fact, combined with other remarks regarding conscience, with much misunderstanding on his part) for the possibility of lost souls. We’ve most of us had the misfortune to have a boss like that–but this betrayal of principle is so much bigger and so much worse.
I cannot help but think that we, especially those of us in love with the traditional liturgy but inclined to overlook those pesky matters SSPX is so picky about, will now be schooled, and most painfully, in the importance of sound doctrine, and more willing than ever to call most forcefully for a ‘clarification’ of Vatican II on the very matters IN THE TEXT of ecumenism and religious freedom that platform Pope Francis’ obvious and disgraceful liberalism expressed today. And may I add that Benedict, I say this with all due respect for the office, was not one whit better, just wordier. He adored Obama and our ‘vibrant democracy’ and said so on many occasions while those of us manning the sidewalks outside abortuaries gasped in disbelief.
Janet,
See John Manos’s article. I think it may answer some of your concerns! If you read the Pope’s interview, you’ll note that there is nothing unorthodox about his response.
Thanks for reading our stuff. Hope all is well with you.
JMD