By Tom Heinen theinen@journalsentinel.com
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
April 8, 2006
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=414433
Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton of Detroit told about 350 people in a crowded Milwaukee church Saturday that the Vatican's recent document barring most homosexuals from Catholic seminaries was a hurtful step backward.
During a question and answer session, he indicated he would be willing to publicly support pending legislation in Wisconsin that would enable victims of sexual abuse by clergy to sue churches regardless of when the abuse occurred.
Gumbleton drew national attention this year when he spoke to Ohio legislators and endorsed a one-year window for victims to file such lawsuits in Ohio. At the time, he revealed that he had been "inappropriately touched" by a priest when he was a teenager.
 |
|
Thomas J. Gumbleton Photo by the AP |
He appeared Saturday morning at All Saints Catholic Church on the north side at the invitation of Call to Action Wisconsin, part of a national Catholic reform group that advocates such things as the ordination of women and married men.
The group originally got permission from the rector of Milwaukee's Roman Catholic cathedral to hold the event there, but Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan later ordered that it be moved, reportedly because he did not want to be seen as supporting a group he considers dissident.
Gumbleton is viewed by many as one of the most liberal bishops in the United States.
Peter Isely, Midwest director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, thanked Gumbleton for his statements to Ohio legislators and asked him if he would provide support in Wisconsin.
"If something comes along where I can help, I'll be glad to help," Gumbleton said.
He said that the clergy sexual abuse crisis cannot be blamed on homosexuals, and that homosexuals should not be restricted from ordained ministry. Catholics need to welcome gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people as fully participating members eligible to serve as parish council presidents, lectors and lay Eucharistic ministers, Gumbleton said.
"If, in fact, we were able to remove from the seminary, and then ultimately from the ministry of the priesthood all of those who are gay, we would have a tremendous loss," he said, adding that gay, celibate priests are "among the most effective, most charismatic, most sensitive priests I know."
Gumbleton said his views on homosexuals changed after a married brother shocked his family with a revelation that he was homosexual.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.