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Bishop Martino said "...homosexual activity is not condoned by the Church and should never be construed as acceptable behavior."

SCRANTON, Pa. (Catholic Online) - On October 14, 1986 the Vatican’s “Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith”under the leadership of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, released a clearly written and pastorally directive document entitled “Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral care of Homosexual Persons”. It should be considered a “must read” by every concerned Catholic. In Paragraph 14 of that letter we read these words of warning:

“…this Congregation wishes to ask the Bishops to be especially cautious of any programs which may seek to pressure the Church to change her teaching, even while claiming not to do so. A careful examination of their public statements and the activities they promote reveals a studied ambiguity by which they attempt to mislead the pastors and the faithful. For example, they may present the teaching of the Magisterium, but only as if it were an optional source for the formation of one's conscience. Its specific authority is not recognized.

“Some of these groups will use the word "Catholic" to describe either the organization or its intended members, yet they do not defend and promote the teaching of the Magisterium; indeed, they even openly attack it. While their members may claim a desire to conform their lives to the teaching of Jesus, in fact they abandon the teaching of his Church. This contradictory action should not have the support of the Bishops in any way.”

Once again Bishop Joseph Martino of the Diocese of Scranton is in the news. This faithful and courageous Bishop understands his Episcopal obligation to teach and defend the truth and is unafraid of criticism. He has now asked Misericordia University, a Catholic College in his Diocese, to consider "…discontinuing its Diversity Institute." This Institute sponsored two talks given by openly homosexual activist Keith Boynkin on the campus on February 17, 2009. The Bishop had asked the University not to sponsor the talks. They did so anyway. The speaker promoted the activist homosexual agenda.

The University simply did not comply with the Bishop’s direction. Still, they continued to claim to be faithful to the teaching office of the Catholic Church. They issued a release after the event: "Misericordia University has been committed deeply to its Catholic mission and the teachings of the Catholic Church for 85 years. Misericordia University welcomes the opportunity to discuss these matters with the Bishop and his delegates at their convenience."

Bishop Martino has responded. Here is the newest Press Release from the Diocese:

In response to Misericordia University’s assertion that it “is committed deeply to its Catholic mission,” Bishop Joseph F. Martino observes that the institution should convey to its alumni, and in fact to all the faithful of the Diocese of Scranton, its efforts to teach Catholic morality regarding sexuality and homosexuality.

In doing this, the Bishop believes the school should speak precisely, naming courses, content and even catalog numbers.

Bishop Martino’s position at this time follows his “absolute disapproval” of the university’s hosting of Keith Boykin, a proponent of morality that is disturbingly opposed to Catholic teaching.

Mr. Boykin made two presentations at the school on Feb. 17. In at least one of his talks, he discussed advocacy for issues such as same sex marriage, and he addressed the intersection of religion and sexuality. The Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexuality was not presented at the event.

A statement from the Diocese issued the day before the talks noted that “Mr. Boykin has authored three books and all three have been nominated for a Lambda Literary award. Lambda is a legal advocacy effort for homosexual causes. Mr. Boykin is an avid supporter of same sex marriage and is an activist for positions disturbingly opposed to Catholic moral teaching.

“Bishop Martino wants Catholics of the Diocese of Scranton to know of his absolute disapproval of Misericordia University’s hosting Mr. Boykin. By honoring this speaker through allowing his positions, so antithetical to Catholic Church teaching, to be broadcast on its campus, the University has rejected all four essential characteristics of a Catholic institution of higher learning. These are: its Christian inspiration, its obligation to reflect on knowledge in light of the Catholic faith, its fidelity to Catholic Church teaching and its commitment to serve the people of God.

“The faithful of the Diocese of Scranton, the Bishop observed, should be in no doubt that Misericordia University in this instance is seriously failing in maintaining its Catholic identity.”

Misericordia responded with a statement saying it understood the Bishop’s criticism, but “Mr. Boykin’s appearance . . . is not meant to be a forum for advocacy on any singular issue.” The statement also said the University “welcomes legitimate scholarly discussion among its students, faculty, staff and guests from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.”

The statement also said that “Misericordia University is committed deeply to its Catholic mission.”

Regarding the request for specific information from Misericordia, Bishop Martino said that students attending a Catholic institution should have a clear understanding that while all persons should be treated with dignity, homosexual activity is not condoned by the Church and should never be construed as acceptable behavior.

Bishop Martino is also asking Misericordia to seriously consider discontinuing its Diversity Institute, which co-sponsored Mr. Boykin’s appearance. He had previously served for a week as a visiting scholar with the Institute.

The Bishop’s rationale is that students should learn respect for all races and cultures, but that viewpoints that are in direct opposition to Catholic teaching should not be presented under the guise of “diversity.” Doing so within a formal structure sanctioned by the institution gives the impression that these viewpoints are acceptable, or that all morality is relative.”

Bishop Martino is to be commended and deserves the support and prayer of every Catholic.