From yesterday's Post-Gazette, I discover  that the Vatican has sent teams to determine if American seminaries are providing "proper spiritual, moral and theological training for the priesthood."

This includes visits to St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, SS. Cyril & Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary on the North Side  and St. Paul Seminary in East Carnegie.

Only one of 55 questions deals with homosexuality but that question is one of the 6 mandatory questions.   The Vatican claims this isn't a witch hunt to ferret out the queer priests, but the timing is suspiciously coincidental. 

The Vatican issues a clearly homophobic statement banning priests with "homosexual tendencies" from seminaries and then sends out the minions to ask questions. 

What the heck kind of questions are they asking?  Do the emissaries have to go undercover to explore the steamier side of the seminary?  How exactly does one determine homosexual tendencies from one simple question?  Or measure the depth of those tendencies? 

It is nothing but homo-hate in priestly clothing.  And yet another attempt to distract the American Catholic Church from the sexual abuse perpetrated by their priests and covered up by their bishops. 

Disgusting.

Sue

From 365gay.com, I discover that yet another Bible Belt NBC affiliate has capitulated to the right-wing hate regarding homosexuality and cancelled the Book of Daniel. 

According to WSMV mangement, they received over 137 complaints via telephone, email and postal mail.  And apparently the independent nature of the 137 responses caught their attention

"Over the years, other shows have generated as much or more reaction, but this wasn't a cut-and-paste reaction where a national group says, 'Please send an e-mail to your station' and every e-mail is the same," Hale said. "These were individually crafted, considered, well-thought, well-reasoned e-mails and phone calls."

137 hate-mongering bigots made an impact of this significance in a city the size of Nashville.  According to General Manager Elden Hale "viewers objected to the language, the sexual content and the portrayal of Jesus, who appears to Quinn's character for regular chats." 

Hmmm.  When I caught the show last week, Jesus pretty much came across like every photo I've ever seen in American Christian Churches - 30ish, long haired white robe wearing white guy.  He didn't appear the slightest Aramaic, spoke very fluent English and was overall pretty reputable in appearance.  Perhaps because he wasn't spewing condemnation about all their sins, instead offering a message of compassion and hope.  How anti-Christian!

It almost seems like the right-wing whackos are picking television stations off one by one.  Book of Daniel did very well in the ratings, leaving me to wonder if someone can scrounge up 138 Nashvillians who actually watched the show? 

If you are in the Pittsburgh viewing audience, contact WPXI and thank them for letting viewers make our own choices about which programs we watch and for airing a quality entertaining television program. 

WPXI/Pittsburgh.com
11 Television Hill
Pittsburgh, PA 15214
Phone: (412) 237-1100
By email, visit http://www.wpxi.com/station/1906729/detail.html

Sue

 > JOIN ACTIVISTS IN PROTEST AGAINST THE RADICAL RIGHT
 > Philadelphia SUNDAY JANUARY 8 at 7 PM AT "JUSTICE SUNDAY III"
 >
 > Jerry Falwell.
 > Tony Perkins from the Family Research Council.
 > James Dobson from Focus on the Family.
 > Rick Santorum.
 >
 > All coming to Philadelphia on Jan 8 to rally on "Justice Sunday" to pack the Supreme Court with right wing extremist judges.
 >
 > This event will be telecast live across the country.
 >
 > Happy New Year, everybody.
 >
 > "Justice" is the right to health care and effective HIV prevention, reproductive freedom, and freedom from homophobia and bigotry --not fundamentalist extremism from the extreme right wing.
 >
 > Join ACT UP Philadelphia, people of faith, people of conscience, women's health groups and other friends in Philadelphia on Sunday January 8, 2006 to protest  "Justice Sunday III"-- a national rally for religious extremist groups who are fighting for a judiciary that is as reactionary as they are.
 >
 > Join us outside the Greater Exodus Baptist Church, at
 > 714 North Broad Street, Philadelphia at 6:30 pm for a spirited rally and protest

"Justice Sunday III" comes just one day before the Senate Judiciary Committee opens hearings for Supreme Court Justice Nominee Samuel Alito.
 >
 > "Justice Sunday III" will include notorious fixtures of the
 > radical right, Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council,
 > Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family, and Jerry
 > Falwell along with Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum.
 >
 > These right wing religious groups exert extraordinarily powerful influence over White House policies on HIV prevention, global AIDS, science, sex education and public health.
 >
 > For more information please call ACT UP Philadelphia at (215) 386-1981 or Jose DeMarco at (215) 756-4756.
 >
 > ----------------------------------
 > P.S. You could also write some good letters to the editors of your local newspapers telling them that you want fair judges & don't agree with the viewpoints of the radical right.
 >

Here's a take on Justice Sunday from the winner of the Best LGBT Blog ...Pam's House Blend

As you ...   more »