Lutheran leader raps Catholic archbishop's opposition to same-sex marriage
October 17, 2012
Free eBook:
|
| Free eBook: Defining Issues |
A Lutheran bishop has chastised a Catholic prelate for organizing public opposition to a bid for legal approval of same-sex marriage.
“I recognize your authority in formulating positions for your own flock in Minnesota,” wrote Rt. Rev. Herbert Chilstrom, a retired presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, in an open letter to Archbishop John Nienstadt of St. Paul-Minneapolis. “But for you and others to campaign for an amendment that imposes your stance on all citizens in Minnesota--including other Christians, believers of other faith groups and unbelievers--it is overstepping your bounds.”
Archbishop Nienstadt has rallied support for a referendum measure that would formalize the definition of marriage in Minnesota, stipulating that it is a union of one man and one woman. The referendum has drawn opposition from activists who seek to change the definition of marriage--thereby imposing their stance on others.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: AgnesDay -
Oct. 18, 2012 3:27 PM ET USA
Ol' Aggie takes the position that Archbishop Nienstadt is the duly apppointed archbishop to all Christians in his metropolitanate. Lutheran Bishops are not bishops at all. Let the Rt. Rev. Chilstrom storm and rage: it makes no difference because he has no authority under Apostolic Succession. This accounts for Bishop Chilstrom's lapse into major error.
-
Posted by: Gregory108 -
Oct. 18, 2012 1:18 PM ET USA
As mentioned in other posts, Luther himself would renounce this bishop. I hear from my Missouri, and especially Wisconsin, Synod Lutheran friends, that those in the Evangelical Lutheran Church are barely Lutherans at all! I'm not sure how these Protestants can take such positions. How can those who throw themselves on the authority of the Bible alone-sola scriptura-take such blatantly anti-scripture stances?? If they have no scripture, what else do they have, except for personal PC opinion.
-
Posted by: unum -
Oct. 18, 2012 10:18 AM ET USA
Archbishop Nienstadt is following Christ and being true to the values of our country's founders by rallying opposition to changing the legal definition of marriage. Both Christ and our nation's founders challenged us to advocate for moral legislation, because if we fail to advocate, we allow others to define the values of our society. The archbishop is being Christ to others, and he is exercising his right to free speech given by God and protected by our Constitution. God bless him!
-
Posted by: samuel.doucette1787 -
Oct. 18, 2012 8:19 AM ET USA
This is the same tactic that the Muslims have been doing to us for centuries. They attack us and then claim to be victims when we dare fight back through the Crusades. In the same way, the proponents of homosexual marriage try to force it on us and then claim that we are forcing our beliefs on them when we dare to fight back. Bravo to Archbishop Nienstedt for standing firm for truth!
-
Posted by: samuel.doucette1787 -
Oct. 18, 2012 8:17 AM ET USA
I guess ecumenical dialogue, like its secular cousin "tolerance", only goes one way as far as the Lutheran "bishop" is concerned: You Catholics get in line behind us. Speaking of "imposing your stance on all believers in Minnesota", isn't your favoritism of homosexual "marriage" doing the exact same thing you accuse Archbishop Nienstedt of doing?
-
Posted by: aclune9083 -
Oct. 17, 2012 10:28 PM ET USA
Does not Chilstrom understand the meaning of intrinsic evil and the responsibility of Christians to do everything in their power to combat it? Oh, I forgot, he's a Lutheran...must be a pass to support homosexuality. I wonder how Martin Luther would view this issue.
-
Posted by: gbrisebois1656 -
Oct. 17, 2012 8:08 PM ET USA
To redefine marriage, first you have to undefine it. And once it is undefined, there is no recovery. There is no other "definition". California supported Prop 22 and then Prop 8. "Marriage: One Man + One Woman". As California goes, so goes the nation. Sorry Lutheran "Bishop". Should I report you to the Lutheran "Pope"? Luther himself would renounce you. By disobeying the true Catholic Bishop, you show yourself to be a true son of disobedience.
-
Posted by: gbrisebois1656 -
Oct. 17, 2012 8:04 PM ET USA
Luther didn't believe in Bishops. Vote "no" on Lutheran Bishops. Vote "yes" on marriage: one man + one woman. "Impose your views"? What the heck? We believe marriage is what it is, and is what God made it, and we believe that to be the TRUTH, and that it would remain true even if we deny it. Tell you what: I don't believe in the IRS anymore. So stop imposing your taxes on me. Oh, and I believe in sharing wealth, so don't impose your theft laws on me.
-
Posted by: Rose of Lima -
Oct. 17, 2012 7:24 PM ET USA
Oh, please! Archbishop Nienstadt is courageously leading his flock in the truth. We need more Bishops like him in this country and around the world.
