The Backlash against Bishop Tobin ...

I thought Tobin quit Twitter?

As most people know, this past weekend, Bishop Tobin made a statement warning Catholics not to support Pride events, calling them immoral and contrary to Catholic teaching.

"A reminder that Catholics should not support or attend LGBTQ 'Pride Month' events held in June," Tobin tweeted on Saturday. "They promote a culture and encourage activities that are contrary to Catholic faith and morals. They are especially harmful for children." - Source

Nothing wrong with that, right?

Nuh-uh.  The culture has changed completely, and rejects Catholic teaching on homosexuality and marriage - completely.  Just ask Catholics in the public square.

"This practicing Catholic will be supporting and attending LGBTQ Pride events," tweeted The View co-host Sunny Hostin. "And so will my Catholic children. You should be ashamed @ThomasJTobin1." 

Actress Mia Farrow also had a lot to say in response to Tobin, remarking that "kids are in far more danger at a catholic church than at a gay pride gathering." - Source

Yup.  The backlash is picking up on the sexual abuse crisis to make a point - the safety of children.  According to most of the research, safety was negligible in rectories and sacristies throughout the United States.  Archbishops like Nienstedt may have deflected accusations against him by calling for a boycott of a gay themed film, Brokeback Mountain, and claimed accusations of homosexual activity were in retaliation for speaking out on faith and morals.  That didn't work out too well.   In retrospect, I think the backlash against Nienstedt was about hypocrisy.  Transference will take place onto any bishop who protests too much.  Hence the contempt for Tobin - but don't blame the laity - though Bishop Tobin was only doing his duty as a pastor, his brother bishops have provided the ammunition used against him, and any other Catholic who lives in accord and witnesses to Catholic teaching.

Pride events are frequently indecent.  

The impression I got from what the Bishop said was that he most likely have based his warning upon the fact Pride events are frequently indecent.  Depending on the city, parades and gatherings are peppered with exhibitionists, fetishism, drag, and sometimes testicles hanging out of ripped jeans.  In the 1980's I went with a friend downtown and saw enough.  I'm not a prude, but it certainly isn't family entertainment, if you ask me.  I've never been a fan of drag, BTW.  Likewise, I've never been a fan of Pride.

Last week, I came across something online which was LGBTQ sponsored warning people about Pride events, if they do not know what they are in for, or they may not like what they might see, to stay away.  I also saw a meme on a friend's site explaining that Pride is about recognizing the dignity of the LGBTQ person rather than a celebration sexual activity and behavior.  Sorry, I didn't save the meme or the links, but they are out there someplace.  The fact is, Pride, for many gay people is a safe-place where they can express themselves and feel accepted and affirmed, without fear of being shamed or attacked.  No one who disagrees with the LGBTQ life needs to attend the celebrations.

"Twitter has become a major distraction for me..." - Bishop Tobin
What can I say?  Bishop Tobin expressed his concern for Catholics and warned against the moral and cultural changes which have impacted contemporary life.  When the backlash came - almost immediately - he retracted and rephrased his statement.  But it wasn't enough - Tweets are 'captured' and never go away.  LGBTQ people and supporters want him to approve homosexual behavior.  People want him to recognize that gay people have families of their own, with children.  It's a different world - the West has pretty much recognized the equality of LGBTQ persons.

We have a homosexual running for the presidential nomination of the United States.  He's a nice guy.  Maybe too nice for a lot of gay people who would prefer he and his husband were less Stepford - but he's a candidate.

There is a need to recognize the dignity of the person in our day.  As Pope Francis stated recently:

“Giving more importance to the adjective rather than the noun, this is not good. We are all human beings and have dignity. It does not matter who you are or how you live your life, you do not lose your dignity. There are people that prefer to select or discard people because of the adjective - these people don’t have a human heart,” Francis told Stephen K. Amos 

I don't think that means a bishop or priest cannot caution faithful Catholics against participating in Pride events.  (I wouldn't do it on Twitter though.)  Bishop Tobin attempted to make his position more agreeable and more understandable, but it looks like it remains unaccepted by gay people, as well as some Catholics who appreciated and supported his first comments.  Bishop Tobin was more conciliatory in his formal response.  Nothing wrong with that - it demonstrates he's not out to hurt people, or condemn them.

Tobin said that the Catholic Church has "respect and love for members of the gay community, as do I ... As a Catholic bishop, however, my obligation before God is to lead the faithful entrusted to my care and to teach the faith, clearly and compassionately, even on very difficult and sensitive issues." - Source

Providentially, today is the feast day of Blessed Charles and Companion Martyrs of Uganda.  The king who had the martyrs slaughtered - burnt alive, for refusing to go along with his fetishist-homosexual predation, had absolute power.  Our government is governed by elected politicians and laws - it's unlikely Christians will be burned alive for witnessing to their faith - unless the burning of churches continues, this time, with people in them.  Although it is clear you'll be burned online, by critics on both sides of the issue.  If you support Bishop Tobin in his first statement, then you need to support him in his second, more conciliatory statement as well.