Activist laments US bishops’ silence on ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’

CWN - December 29, 2010

A military activist who opposed the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy lamented the failure of “the Catholic Church”-- presumably, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops-- to speak more forcefully on the issue.

“When the issue got right down to the final vote-- the one that ultimately was successful, the Catholic Church, among other organizations that had spoken in June, [was] silent,” said Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness.

Criticizing Cardinal Donald Wuerl’s comment that “there isn’t a specific Catholic Church position” on the issue, Donnelly noted that Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Military Services had earlier spoken against the repeal of the policy.

Archbishop Broglio’s reservations about the enlistment of homosexuals in the US military have justification in Catholic teaching. In 1992, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith taught that “there are areas in which it is not unjust discrimination to take sexual orientation into account, for example, in the placement of children for adoption or foster care, in employment of teachers or athletic coaches, and in military recruitment.”

Additional sources for this story
Some links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

An appeal from our founder, Dr. Jeffrey Mirus:

Dear reader: If you found the information on this page helpful in your pursuit of a better Catholic life, please support our work with a donation. Your donation will help us reach five million Truth-seeking readers worldwide this year. Thank you!

Easter Campaign:
Progress toward our Spring 2013 goal ($34,555 to go):
$80,000.00 $45,444.82
43% 57%
Sound Off! CatholicCulture.org supporters weigh in.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

Show 2 Comments? (Hidden)Hide Comments
  • Posted by: Defender - Dec. 30, 2010 12:00 AM ET USA

    Isn't it amazing that a Roman Catholic cardinal would say such a thing? It seems the Vatican needs to provide a refresher course for some (a lot) of the U.S. clergy, doesn't it? Start with the catechism.

  • Posted by: non-faithfulcatholicschools7869 - Dec. 29, 2010 11:22 AM ET USA

    The problem we have with the USCCB is their "Selective Catholicism". They can't be Catholic when they need to be and foster the wrong kind of support for Illegals to get federal money. NO AMNESTY in any form. DADT IS A CATHOLIC ISSUE. Wake up USCCB or you will become Irrelevant to anyone but yourselves. Why are you all so PC? BE CATHOLIC like Bishop Olmstead! Do the "CATHOLIC" thing and Stay Out of things you have no business in:START? Why voice an opinion when no one listens. It's bad policy!

Catholic World News Email Newsletter
Donate to Support this Site: Your contribution will be put to good work.
Tour the CatholicCulture.org Site
Shop Amazon to Raise Money for Catholic Culture

Recent Catholic Commentary

Learning from the sick, and from the death of a child 20 hours ago
The case for change in Irish abortion law: based on a framework of falsehood 24 hours ago
The Smell of the Sheep May 16
Too many missing funds: Catholic institutions need tighter financial controls May 16
What capitalists should learn from the Pope's critique May 16

Top Catholic News

Most Important Stories of the Last 30 Days
Pope strongly supports call for reform in religious life CWN - May 8