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Archbp. Nienstedt explains the situation to a biased columnist
With a biretta tip to Cathy and Ray I give you this good piece of news.
In the Star/Trib, one of the worst papers in the USA, His Excellency Most Reverend John Nienstedt, Coadjutor Archbp. of St. Paul and Minneapolis, has fought back. Here it is with my emphases.
Coadjutor Archbishop John Nienstedt responds to Nick Coleman’s column (requires free registration) in the StarTribune.
In a Nov. 28 column, Nick Coleman accuses me of not being compassionate toward friends and relatives of persons with same-sex attractions. I vigorously deny the charge. For 13 years I prepared priesthood candidates for celebrating the Sacrament of Penance by counseling them to welcome persons with warmth, compassion and understanding. Anyone who has celebrated that same sacrament with me knows I follow my own advice.
What Coleman wants is for the church I represent to be accepting and compassionate toward homosexual acts and lifestyles. And that can never be.
Coleman further claims the Catechism of the Catholic Church does not say that homosexual acts are a "grave evil." What it does say is the following: "Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity (Genesis 19: 1-29, Romans 1: 24-27, 1 Corinthians 6: 10, 1 Timothy 1:10), tradition has always declared that ‘homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.’ ... Under no circumstances can they be approved."
As a priest and bishop, I have the responsibility before God and in the name of Jesus Christ to call all men and women to conversion, the first step of which is recognizing sinful activity for what it is. Sometimes that is not a comfortable thing to do, but it is always the compassionate thing to do.
JOHN C. NIENSTEDT, ST. PAUL;
COADJUTOR ARCHBISHOP,
ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS
There it is.
Good for Archbishop Nienstedt. He just told Mr. Coleman “to sit down.”
Nick Coleman has issues. Some of his columns border on the bizarre.
Comment by UST Alumnus — 1 December 2007 @ 6:16 pmWhat a great example for the rest of his brother bishops to follow!
I hope others will take strength from his willingness to be clear, compassionalte, and loving. Clergy who tell Catholics struggling with homosexuality acting on their impulses is okay are only causing enormous harm to those who carry such heavy crosses.
Comment by Rudy B — 1 December 2007 @ 6:50 pm(*sigh*) We’re getting too many Brians, here… :)
Out of morbid curiosity, I visited the site advertised by my namesake (1 December 2007 @ 7:53 pm), and I think I can safely warn people against it; alleged private revelations, “houses of prayer” in place of Churches (if I understood that correctly), and the like.
If nothing else, I didn’t—with all due respect—want people associating the “revelations of Jesus to the two Patricks” to me! The sacred Deposit of Faith, along with the approved(!) apparitions, are quite enough for me, thank you!
In Christ,
Comment by Brian — 1 December 2007 @ 8:26 pmBrian C.
“Sometimes that is not a comfortable thing to do, but it is always the compassionate thing to do.”
I am thankful to see that Archbishop Nienstedt recognizes that it is not charity to confirm an individual in their sin.
Comment by Thomas L. — 1 December 2007 @ 10:42 pmAmen!
Yes, hopefully his brother bishops will follow his example.
Comment by Tito — 2 December 2007 @ 12:19 amI like how he explained himself simply and without insulting Mr. Coleman’s obvious, reactionary ignorance.
We are VERY blessed to have this wise man here in MN. I’m looking forward to many years of his leadership and wisdom.
Comment by Laura — 2 December 2007 @ 1:03 amGod bless that Bishop. As a man who left an active gay subculture lifestyle and still struggles with same sex attraction, his responses to that man are refreshing. I have had experiences in the confessional, two in particular (with Fransiscans), one in which a lewd comment was made. Both priests basically said that I was o.k.
Comment by Dan — 2 December 2007 @ 9:11 amAll I wanted was the absolution, to do my penance and leave. I even wondered for a while whether or not they were valid confessions. Needless to say they were both disturbing experiences especially having been there and done that, knowing full well that that “lifestyle” is against God, nature, and clear reason.
Wow! Talk about short, concise, to the point, and not pulling any punches.
Oh how exciting it is to see someone stand up for the teachings of the faith as Our Lord provided them.
Comment by Diane — 2 December 2007 @ 6:53 pmGood for Archbishop Nienstedt. I was sad when he left the Diocese of New Ulm, but I think he is the right man for the job in St. Paul/Minneapolis. He has his work cut out for him.
Please pray for Archbishop Nienstedt and please pray for the Diocese of New Ulm; that the Holy Father selects a good strong bishop for us.
Dave
Comment by JustDave — 2 December 2007 @ 7:36 pmYes!Bishop Nienstedt, a true shepherd in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary! What a great breath of fresh air he is in the “American Catholic Church” which stinks to high heaven with the smoke of satan. Bishop Nienstedt is fulfilling his obligation as Priest, Prophet and King and speaking out with a no-frills brand of in-your-face-shutup-and-listen-stupid, while I teach you the truth. God Bless Bishop Nienstedt!
Comment by TwoCentsWorth — 3 December 2007 @ 12:48 pmI’m delighted to Bishop Nienstedt is such a clear teacher, but I’m disappointed that Archbishop Flynn is not coming to his defense (I know, I should expect this, but I was hoping that Nienstedt’s courage would inspire Archbishop Flynn).
I can’t wait to see what Bishop Nienstedt does with St. Joan of Arc, St. Edwards, and St. Francis Cabrini.
Comment by Judith M. — 3 December 2007 @ 1:41 pmMay God bless Bishop Nienstedt with deep humility, faith, hope & love.
May God grant us good & holy bishops & priests! The sheep will follow
Comment by David Walley s.f.o. — 4 December 2007 @ 6:03 pma courageous shepherd.