New York Times: Catholic priest assists at 'gay wedding' on Friday...

[Michie]

On the wedding announcements page: priest assists at same sex wedding?


A wedding announcement in this Sunday’s New York Times:

Roger Thomas Danforth and Richard James Termine were married Friday evening in New York. The Rev. David C. Parsons, a Lutheran minister, officiated aboard the Lexington, a chartered yacht, on the East River, with the Rev. Michael DeVito, a Roman Catholic priest and a cousin of Mr. Termine, assisting.


Mr. Danforth, 63, is the artistic director of the Directors Project, a career development program for theater directors run by the Drama League, a New York organization dedicated to professional theater. He is also a freelance director.

He graduated from Western Michigan University and received a master’s degree in directing from Florida State University. He is a son of the late Arline H. Danforth and the late Herbert R. Danforth Jr., who lived in Palm Harbor, Fla.

Mr. Termine, 59, is a freelance photographer in New York. He has done work for the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Carnegie Hall and the 92nd Street Y. He is also the on-set photographer for “Sesame Street,” and is on the board of the Jim Henson Foundation in New York.

He graduated from the University of Connecticut, from which he also received a master’s degree in puppetry. He is a son of Marie L. Termine of Middletown, Conn., and the late Rosario T. Termine.

The couple’s wedding took place on the 30th anniversary of their meeting at a performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
​

I mentioned this to a couple priests today. They suggested that Fr. DeVito might have been just a guest at the wedding or, perhaps, someone who had been laicized but still calls himself a priest.
​

Maybe there’s a reasonable explanation for this. If so, I’d like to hear it.

New York Times: Catholic priest assists at 'gay wedding' on Friday...

 

[Fantine]

I think it is very difficult for family members to deal with situations where the Church is in conflict with what they believe to be support of a family member.

I am sure we all know parents and siblings who have rejected family members because of their lifestyles--and how painful and damaging that can be to the entire extended family.

I am sure Fr. DeVito will get hauled over the carpet about this, but I think his heart was in the right place.

 

[MoreCoffee]

"Maybe there’s a reasonable explanation for this. If so, I’d like to hear it."

How about this: Michael DeVito is a cousin of Mr. Termine. He was invited.

 

[Rhamiel]

I think it is very difficult for family members to deal with situations where the Church is in conflict with what they believe to be support of a family member.

I am sure we all know parents and siblings who have rejected family members because of their lifestyles--and how painful and damaging that can be to the entire extended family.

I am sure Fr. DeVito will get hauled over the carpet about this, but I think his heart was in the right place.

if he does not care if his cousin goes to hell then his heart is not in the right place

 

[StThomasMore]

"Maybe there’s a reasonable explanation for this. If so, I’d like to hear it."

How about this: Michael DeVito is a cousin of Mr. Termine. He was invited.

It doesn't matter if they are cousins. these are not the type of activities a priest should be engaging in though if he truly believes what the Church teaches.

So he obviously doesn't believe what the Church teaches. Or like many priests who do these types of things, is in a willful type of denial

 

[MoreCoffee]

It doesn't matter if they are cousins. these are not the type of activities a priest should be engaging in though if he truly believes what the Church teaches.
...

If Catholics truly believed what the church teaches then there'd be no divorces followed by remarriage among Catholics, no use of condoms or the pill for birth control purposes. In fact, there'd be very little sinning among Catholics. But we both know that is not really the case. It does raise the question "How should the church teach and what should it be teaching if what it teaches now is failing to convince?"

 

[Rhamiel]

If Catholics truly believed what the church teaches then there'd be no divorces followed by remarriage among Catholics, no use of condoms or the pill for birth control purposes. In fact, there'd be very little sinning among Catholics. But we both know that is not really the case. It does raise the question "How should the church teach and what should it be teaching if what it teaches now is failing to convince?"

well if Catholics truly believed what the Church teaches then there would be no murder rape or theft by Catholics either
no lies and no gossip
no hate and no envy

we are all sinners in need of the mercy of Christ
what should the Catholic Church teach? the truth, sin kills
how should it teach so that Catholics will be convinced?
less mincing of words
homosexual acts are an abomination
these sins cry out to heaven

 

[MoreCoffee]

Why does it always come down to homosexual acts? I mean, why are such acts on one's mind so often that they are mentioned in almost every conversation about sin on OBOB? It's strange I think.

 

[Davidnic]

Depends. If he was actually assisting in a service of another denomination that requires the approval of the Bishop or Order Superior. So right there...if he was actively assisting in the service there are two issues. One it is a gay weeding and he can't assist at one of those. Two, I would be shocked if the Bishop gave him permission to assist...so potentially he did not seek it.

 

[ranpleasant]

It does raise the question "How should the church teach and what should it be teaching if what it teaches now is failing to convince?"

The Catholic Church in the United States need to return to teaching the truth: That people can and will go to Hell when for their sins against God unless they repent through confession. That Catholic priest should either be part of that teaching process, as is his duty, or he would find another job.

Ran

 

[ranpleasant]

Why does it always come down to homosexual acts? I mean, why are such acts on one's mind so often that they are mentioned in almost every conversation about son on OBOB? It's strange I think.

You might should read this thread again, the topic is homosexual marriage.

 

[MoreCoffee]

<chuckles> Okay, you got me there

 

[Miss Shelby]

but I think his heart was in the right place.

I think it's wise to give the benefit of the doubt that his heart was in the right place. Not much we can do about it anyways.

 

[Miss Shelby]

Why does it always come down to homosexual acts? I mean, why are such acts on one's mind so often that they are mentioned in almost every conversation about sin on OBOB?

You are a part of OBOB (in that you participate)-- and I've seen you active in those threads. So...

 

[MoreCoffee]

You are a part of OBOB (in that you participate)-- and I've seen you active in those threads. So...

Yes indeedy! I discuss these matters when they are the topic. What I was thinking however, is that when people list sins they seem to almost always throw in homosexuality or homosexual acts, as if those were the most common and important issues in the world when I suspect we all know that they are not.

 

[Rhamiel]

Why does it always come down to homosexual acts? I mean, why are such acts on one's mind so often that they are mentioned in almost every conversation about sin on OBOB? It's strange I think.

i listed a bunch of sins
gossip, hate, envy, murder, rape, theft.
all of these are sins same as homosexual acts and contraception and abortion

 

[princess_ballet]

Why does it always come down to homosexual acts? I mean, why are such acts on one's mind so often that they are mentioned in almost every conversation about sin on OBOB? It's strange I think.

Hmmmmm....I don't know....maybe because this is a thread about gay marriage. And usually, when people "marry" they have sex. Does that surprise you in some way?

 

[MoreCoffee]

Hmmmmm....I don't know....maybe because this is a thread about gay marriage. And usually, when people "marry" they have sex. Does that surprise you in some way?

Do keep up, I replied to the same question in an earlier post

 

[Miss Shelby]

Yes indeedy! I discuss these matters when they are the topic. What I was thinking however, is that when people list sins they seem to almost always throw in homosexuality or homosexual acts, as if those were the most common and important issues in the world when I suspect we all know that they are not.

This is the way it is around here. I choose to pick my arguments. And my nose, for some tmi that you didn't ask for.

 

[Chrystal-J]

if he does not care if his cousin goes to hell then his heart is not in the right place

I agree. The truth is what it is. If the person didn't understand what was a sin and what was not, then they would be acting out of ignorance. But a priest of all people should know better.
People confuse not accepting something that is sinful with attacking people for their sins. You can reject the sin and still love the sinner. Since all people sin, you almost can't get around that. But, putting your stamp of approval on sin is something else.