Archbishop Broglio, Military Services USA on Proposed Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

6/3/2010
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

For years, those struggling with alcoholism have benefitted from Alcoholics Anonymous. Like homosexuality, there is rarely a cure.

'For years, those struggling with alcoholism have benefitted from Alcoholics Anonymous. Like homosexuality, there is rarely a cure. There is a control through a process, which is guarded by absolute secrecy. It is an equivalent to "Don't ask don't tell". The process has worked well for some time without the charge that it is discriminatory.' (Archbishop Broglio)

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services in the United States of America with the faithful.

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WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - We present the June 1, 2010 statement released by Archbishop Timothy Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services in the United States of America concerning legislation which seeks to repeal the current "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" protocol concerning homosexual persons in the US Military:

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"In a response to a request from the Chiefs of Chaplains of the Armed Forces I communicated some considerations and concerns regarding the proposal to change the existing legislation regarding persons with a homosexual orientation in the military. In fulfilling my role as the chief shepherd of Catholics in the United States Armed Forces, I have had the opportunity of visiting many installations in the recent past.

A number of chaplains and commanding officers have expressed concerns about the effects of a change. There is a request for guidance. The teaching of the Catholic Church is clearly expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered." They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection. "

Consequently, those with a homosexual orientation can expect respect and treatment worthy of their human dignity. The prohibitions regarding sexual harassment and intimidation refer just as much to homosexuals as to anyone else. However, unions between individuals of the same gender resembling marriage will not be accepted or blessed by Catholic chaplains. Furthermore no restrictions or limitations on the teaching of Catholic morality can be accepted. First Amendment rights regarding the free exercise of religion must be respected.

This means that Catholic chaplains must show compassion for persons with a homosexual orientation, but can never condone-even silently-homosexual behavior. A change might have a negative effect on the role of the chaplain not only in the pulpit, but also in the classroom, in the barracks, and in the office.

A more fundamental question, however, should be raised. What exactly is the meaning of a change? No one can deny that persons with a homosexual orientation are already in the military. Does the proposed change authorize these individuals to engage in activities considered immoral not only by the Catholic Church, but also by many other religious groups? Will there be changes in the living conditions, especially in the AOR?

There is no doubt that morality and the corresponding good moral decisions have an effect on unit cohesion and the overall morale of the troops and effectiveness of the mission. This Archdiocese exists to serve those who serve and it assists them by advocating moral behavior. The military must find ways to promote that behavior and develop strong prohibitions against any immoral activity that would jeopardize morale, good morals, unit cohesion and every other factor that weakens the mission. So also must a firm effort be made to avoid any injustices that may inadvertently develop because individuals or groups are put in living situations that are an affront to good common sense.

I think that those questions require an adequate response. The effect of a repeal of the current legislation has the potential of being enormous and overwhelming. Nothing should be changed until there is certainty that morale will not suffer.   Sacrificing the moral beliefs of individuals or their living conditions to respond to merely political considerations is neither just nor prudent especially for the armed forces at a time of war. Catholics believe that nothing will be done if there is a careful and prudent evaluation of the effects of a change.

For years, those struggling with alcoholism have benefitted from Alcoholics Anonymous. Like homosexuality, there is rarely a cure. There is a control through a process, which is guarded by absolute secrecy. It is an equivalent to "Don't ask don't tell". The process has worked well for some time without the charge that it is discriminatory.

The Archdiocese for the Military Services-the only jurisdiction charged with the pastoral care of all Catholics in the military, VA Administration, and at the service of the Federal Government outside of the boundaries of the United States, which is also charged with endorsing Roman Catholic priests urges the Congress not to repeal the current policy for the Armed Forces."

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services USA

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

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1 - 10 of 13 Comments

Jack Gordon
2 years ago
The quantity and quality of the responses to this article indicate that Catholic bishops in the US have failed miserably when it comes to teaching the truth about homosexual tendencies, the always immoral acts that can come from them, and the disordered personalities that generate them. As a Catholic, I find this widespread ignorance of basic Christian teachings much more disturbing than any harm or lack of same the proposed change in policy might visit on the over-active US military establishment.
Jungersten
2 years ago
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women not governed by any laws of any country and it is attended by ones choice to attend.

And yes, sure one could use the argument that the successful model of Alcoholics Anonymous could be used to create any number of support groups for people dealing with any type of problem they may have. The model of reaching a place of acceptance within oneself.

So perhaps the Archbishop is really on to something, once the policy 'Don't ask, don't tell' is repealed, as it should be according the rights of Gay and Lesbian soldiers serving in the military, then the heterosexual men and woman who have issue with serving next to their openly gay brothers and sisters can create their own support group, perhaps modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, so that they can learn how to accept life on life's terms and be able to deal with their problem, whatever that problem may be.

Gay men and lesbian women are not the problem. We are here, always have been here and always will be here!

Ignorance is the problem to be addressed.
hughman
2 years ago
while i suppose it is to be expected from the catholic church - which certainly has it's own morality issues, albeit on an illegal level which being gay is not - the main fallacy and misunderstanding here and in some of the comments is the attention on sex. having gays in the military in no way precludes an increase in sexual activity. in fact while gays already serve in the military all damaging sexual activity is heterosexual. if there was a rational fear of sexual "immorality" it would certain be much more logical to just ban all straight men who constitute all the aggressors. but why start making sense now when for so long the church has just relied on outdated and illogical ideas. maybe if the church concentrated more on its own failure to regulate its own immorality and damage the lives of thousands than insert itself into an area where it has no business, these proclamations wouldn't seem so baseless and laughable.
km1550
2 years ago
Go away. The world is tired of the catholic church's perpetual hate mongering.
David in Houston
2 years ago
You simple cannot compare an addiction (alcoholism) with sexual orientation. They are obviously not the same thing.

"Its psychological genesis (homosexuality) remains largely unexplained." Not true. There is an abundance of scientific research that proves that sexual orientation is an innate characteristic that people are born with... but you actually have to read the articles to learn the truth.
jake
2 years ago
This piece is the usual mixture of lies, distortions, slander and ignorance that we are used to from Catholic writers. However, what the archbishop thinks about this matter is irrelevant. As an American tax-payer I pay for the Pentagon and its wars. That is my money that is being used. Therefore the military has no right whatsoever to discriminate against those who, like myself, happen to be gay.

And to the first commenter I can only say I pity you for your ignorance and hope you can find some way out of it soon. I would like to be able to forgive you for the harm done by your preposterous, and sacrilegious, fantasies. That's harder for me to do but I will try not to think of you with the same unreasoning animosity with which you would view me.
ewe
2 years ago
You have no right to ask your commenters to refrain from profanity and personal attacks when this entire article depicts exactly that. Your ignorance is nothing new and your position is one that promotes violence and hate. You should be ashamed because it is your behavior that is blasphemous and hypocritical.
Austin Gordon
2 years ago
Comparing being gay to being an alcoholic? That is absurd and laughable if it weren't coming from a supposed "respected" source. What century are is the Archbishop living in?

I find it disturbing and quite sad that people like Archbishop Timothy Broglio criticizes homosexuals when the Catholic Church is in the middle of their pedophile priest scandal. When our children are safe from pedophiles within the Church, then perhaps we can move onto what Jesus preached, like feeding the hungry and clothing the poor.
K in VA
2 years ago
What century is this?
Kevin
2 years ago
I don't agree with the analysis in this article. While I would ultimately agree that DADT should remain law, I don't think its retention is justified by morality/morale whatsoever. The better analysis is cost to the military. The problem with reorganizing rules regarding homosexuality is that it most likely reaps little benefit while enduring great cost. No doubt it is a difficult time for a homosexual person in the military and DADT law does little to quell that angst. However, the military (so I've been told, I have no first-hand experience) tends to be a more conservative grouping of young men and woman in the barracks. Regardless of any morality issues pertaining to homosexuality, the allowance of "out" homosexuals in the community could have some strange effects, most notably the discomfort that more conservative soldiers may experience. The discomfort may or may not be warranted, it may be silly and based on ill-conceived notions of homosexuality, but it will have an effect nonetheless. Of course there are many military members that have no problem with openly homosexual men and woman serving in the army, and those voices should be heard. However, there are many who do have a problem (I'd be greatly surprised if the number of people comfortable with homosexuality was greater than the reverse number). The military is not a place for social experimentation, it's not a place for sexuality of any kind, hetero- or homo-. It is our country's main operation of defense. To undertake a social change like this in the military could have some detrimental effects.

Whether or not homosexuality is "objectively disordered" or "unnatural" is of no use to the army. If that were the case, then a whole slew of discourse of controversial topics could be suppressed. The effects of a DADT repeal on its abilities to defend our country should be the central inquiry. If DADT gets repealed, it means that we must place discrimination laws in the hands of military tribunals that, really, have many other important issues with which to deal. Furthermore, the cost to uphold these changed laws would most likely be prohibitive. Further it would mean court development of those laws which is a clumsy and slow process.

If DADT is ever to be repealed, it should be because the soldiers are comfortable with serving next to homosexuals and the opinions have changed. Until that happens, I'd say keep it.

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