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Archbishop Apuron Looks To The Taliban For Inspiration Regarding Gays And Lesbians

10/27/09-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire
Somewhere, Henry VIII is laughing. The archdiocese in Guam, which is about 85% Catholic, came out against Bill 185, which would legalize domestic partnerships in the territory. In the letter, the Archbishop stated that gays and lesbians were part of the “culture of death” because they were self-absorbed and do not value self-sacrifice. This is an interesting argument. Apparently the LGBT groups which go out there and help with trash cleanup; community organization; donations to local thrift shops, homeless shelters, food banks, and soup kitchens will be shocked to find out that they do not exist.

Of course, according to Archbishop Anthony Apuron, self-sacrificers such as suicide bombers at least know the meaning of service since they know that they should put their lives on the line in order to advance their society. He points out how Islamic cultures put homosexuals to death because of the damage that it does to a culture. Of course, it would be interesting for him to know that most Islamic countries do not, in fact, put people to death for homosexual behavior except for, well, the same countries that would put him to death if he refused to convert to Islam.

Archbishop Anthony Apuron might want to consider the fact that, as a territory in the United States, that there are many gay and lesbian soldiers who are currently fighting in Afghanistan, even though they do so in secret because of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and that their sacrifice is certainly not one of self-absorbed narcissism, but rather one of dedication and duty to one’s nation, which includes the island he is living upon.

Many gays and lesbians have sacrificed themselves for the good of the nation. On 9/11, Father Michael Judge, an admitted if not practicing homosexual, gave his life ministering to the dead. He sacrificed himself for his country, his nation, and his faith. It is a faith that men like this Archbishop now trod upon because they are more afraid of change than they are about becoming irrelevant. On that day, another gay man sacrificed his life, in this case to prevent further tragedy from ensuing. Mark Bingham lost his life in the revolt that resulted in the crashing of United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.

The letter and these statements have caused a huge uproar among the residents of the country with many denouncing the claims. This includes Legislative Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz, who has condemned these statements. Vice Speaker Cruz is openly gay. He was also molested as a child by a Catholic priest. Professor Gerhard Schwab of the University of Guam has begun organizing other Catholics to speak out against the Church and their stance on homosexuality. Schwab stated “It’s outrageous to say that we should learn from the Taliban on how to oppress minorities. And that’s basically what [Archbishop Anthony Apuron] said.”

Of course, the archdiocese has begun to feel the sting of the criticism and reiterated their intent to stamp that out. If the Vatican is any indication, of course, the Church will be going after gay men to blame for the molestations. Archbishop Apuron stated beyond that “In response to my pastoral letter that was released last Sunday, I want to make it clear that persons with same-sex attraction were not the target of my pastoral letter, nor was it meant to condemn anyone in any way. If I have hurt anyone, please forgive me.” Which is not to say that he either retracts it, nor is willing to actually state that his stance is wrong.

Somewhere, Henry VIII is laughing. While the Catholic Church may be trying to bring in Anglicans upset with the liberalization of their Church, many Catholics are turning away from the intolerance of the Catholic Church and may find their way into the Anglican fold. An incident like this only makes that more likely.