The “Catholic” Hospital in my hometown has installed a sort-of shrine honoring President Obama: a man who has enacted the most vicious political campaign, since the creation of the US, against the Catholic Church. The occasion was the 100thJubilee of the religious order which founded the hospital: Obama sent a congratulatory letter to this particular religious congregation of women, and copy of the letter and a picture of the President are framed and presented in a prominently placed glass case in the hospital’s main hallway. Above the large display area is the message, in large gold letters: “The Queen’s Crowing Achievements.” This is to a degree a disturbing double entendre as “the Queen” both refers to the name of the hospital and to Our Lady. In addition, it’s somewhat odd, because the letter actually has nothing to do specifically with this actual institution, but with the Order in general. Therefore, why the necessity to have it there?
Some people may think: So what; what’s the big deal? Well, to me, it’s a very big deal. For, I work with the gay community who are always automatically suspicious and distrustful of the Catholic Church. Immediately, they are hostile and unwilling to accept the actual Church teachings concerning the Lord’s destiny for those who carry the Cross of homosexuality. Often, during their emotional process of healing, they look for any break in the Church’s armor; any excuse to return to their old lives. I was not immune. Early on in my journey, a confused and malformed priest gave me permission to return to the gay lifestyle; only if I pursued monogamy. I do not know how many men, or women, this priest sent back towards the gaping mouth of hell; or how many died, as a result of his bizarre philosophy. But, testifying as one who has been there: a well-intentioned, but liberalized priest, a book by a pro-gay theologian, or even a photograph; say, of President Obama in a Catholic hospital, can cause a searching or struggling soul to turn back.
This also points directly to the very damaging inconsistencies that remain, not with in the teachings of the Church, but by those who claim to represent Her. When I minister to the gay population, hypocrisy is the word I hear over and over again when they address their difficulties with the Church. While the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is imploring the Catholic populous of this country to pray against the signature Obama achievement, ObamaCare, a “Catholic” hospital lovingly displays his picture: it reeks of hypocrisy.