NOM Denounces Seattle Priest For Refusing To Distribute Anti-Gay Petitions

"I must seriously doubt, based on his statements, that Fr. Michael Ryan of the Cathedral of St. James is doing anything to defend or articulate the Church’s views on marriage. In fact his failure to enlist his parish in preserving marriage speaks volumes. On a question as central as marriage, the Church does not have the option or the capacity to be 'neutral.' Even more revealing is the way he has chosen to frame this effort to preserve marriage, saying it could 'prove hurtful and seriously divisive in our community.'

"When a Catholic priest starts saying a teaching of the Church is 'divisive' what he really means is he has chosen to divide himself away from the Church’s teaching. I want to commend Archbishop Peter Sartain for bravely enlisting Catholics in his archdiocese to preserve marriage despite the obvious attempts by some priests to embarrass him in front of their congregations and the media." - NOM blogger Thomas Peters, writing for Catholic Vote.