Just a day after the 150th anniversary of one of the most important speeches on human rights in American history was delivered by America's 16th president, Abraham Lincoln's Illinois became the 16th state to make same-sex marriage legal.
It got better for Illinois.
Then the local sales rep from the Cult of the Red Beanie (tm Charles Pierce) opened his piety hole and made himself look like a fool:
Paprocki exorcism marks same-sex marriage bill signing
By Lauren Leone-Cross
The State Journal-Register
The head of Springfield’s Catholic Diocese presided in front of several hundred people Wednesday night at the city’s largest Catholic church to perform what he described as an “exorcism in reparation for the sin of same-sex marriage.”
Bishop Thomas Paprocki’s ritual at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception began about half an hour after Gov. Pat Quinn in Chicago signed the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act into law, making Illinois the 16th state to legalize same-sex marriage.
Paprocki opened up the services quick to defend his actions from critics who have decried the exorcism as a “political stunt.”
“I wish to preface my reflections by saying that I am conducting this prayer service and am speaking to you now with great reluctance,” he told the gathering. “I did not seek to enter any controversy, and I don’t relish being part of one. But I have given this matter a great deal of thought and prayer, which has led me to the conviction that God is calling me to speak out and conduct these prayers.”
Paprocki was also quick to condemn champions of same-sex marriage, including lawmakers and gay and lesbian couples.
“Since the legal redefinition of marriage is contrary to God’s plan, those who contract civil same-sex marriage are culpable of serious sin,” he said. “Politicians responsible for enacting civil same-sex marriage legislation are morally complicit as co-operators in facilitating this grave sin.”
After his homily, Paprocki read the rite of exorcism in Latin.
“I exorcize you, every unclean spirit, every power of darkness, every incursion of the infernal enemy,” he began. “Every diabolical legion, cohort and faction, in the name and power of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Meanhwhile, outside, dozens of same-sex marriage supporters stood with signs. And across town, several other clergy and faith leaders celebrated the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act’s passage.
...
9 comments:
“I did not seek to enter any controversy, and I don’t relish being part of one."
All together now!
♪♫BULLLLLLLL♪♫SHIIIIIIIIIIITT!!!♪♫
Mike.K.
They just don't recognize their yawning credibility gap. That scripture about "the blind leading the blind" would seem to apply here. :P
Perhaps this kid-toucher should have a little chat with the new pope....
I don't think his new boss is gonna be down with that.
Of course if he is removed from his position then we'll know his exorcism worked.
Oh no! He says if I support this I have a grave sin in my soul?!?!? Fortunately, if I give him money and power he can intercede and get that sin lifted.
Gosh, who knew the Nigerian email scam was 3000 years old???
"Today, not only in peasant homes but also in city skyscrapers, there lives alongside of the twentieth century the tenth or the thirteenth. A hundred million people use electricity and still believe in the magic power of signs and exorcisms. The Pope of Rome broadcasts over the radio about the miraculous transformation of water into wine. Movie stars go to mediums. Aviators who pilot miraculous mechanisms created by man’s genius wear amulets on their sweaters. What inexhaustible reserves they possess of darkness, ignorance, and savagery!
Despair has raised them to their feet fascism has given them a banner. Everything that should have been eliminated from the national organism in the form of cultural excrement in the course of the normal development of society has now come gushing out from the throat; capitalist society is puking up the undigested barbarism. Such is the physiology of National Socialism."
- Leon Trotsky on Fascism
Ah, the old "I'm putting on this enormous grandstanding show reluctantly" dodge. A breathtaking mixture of humility and egotism.
Admit it, Tommy, it's a political stunt, Tommy. Everyone else can see it, and you just throw a wholly unnecessary handful of bullshit on top of the spectacle by denying it. Just admit it and you'll feel better. You won't look any better, but you'll feel better, and since this whole exercise in grandstanding is all about your feelings, I'm just trying to help.
You're welcome.
"Since the legal redefinition of marriage is contrary to God’s plan..."
OK, I'm confused. I thought that everything that happens is in accordance with "God's plan". Which would mean that God already knew about same-sex marriage because He meant for it to happen anyway. And even if that's not the case, is it not within His power to do something to stop same-sex marriage if He really has such a problem with it?
Rhetorical questions, of course. These sanctimonious simpletons couldn't care less about God's Plan™ or the Sanctity of Marriage™ -- or the Sanctity of Life™, for that matter. All they really care about is Being Right so they can wallow in their imagined moral superiority.
Bishop PopRocks needs to talk to his Pope.
Post a Comment