st._james_cathedral.jpg
The head of Seattle's St. James Cathedral says signature gathering for Referendum 74 would be "hurtful and seriously divisive in our community." (Photo courtesy St. James Cathedral)

Seattle's largest Catholic church won't join anti-gay marriage signature drive

BY Josh Kerns  on April 12, 2012 @ 11:01 am (Updated: 12:23 pm - 4/12/12 )

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Seattle's largest Catholic church will not be taking part in signature-gathering to stop same-sex marriage, despite a recent call by Western Washington's Catholic leaders.

Father Michael Ryan, head of St. James Cathedral, tells parishioners in a letter that gathering signatures for Referendum 74 would "prove hurtful and seriously divisive in our community."

A recent letter from Archbishop J. Peter Sartain and Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo to the over 200 plus churches in the Archdiocese approved and encouraged the gathering of signatures in opposition of the recently enacted same-sex marriage measure.

But Father Ryan says in his letter that the leaders left it up to each pastor to decide whether to participate.

"While the Archbishop has given his support to the effort, he has wisely left it up to each pastor to decide whether to allow the collection of signatures in his own parish," writes Ryan.

Opponents of marriage equality need over 120,000 signatures by June 6 to put the measure on the ballot, or same sex marriage becomes legal in the state.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
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Comments (62)


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  • HLC wrote...
    It will also get him a change of address.
    April 12, 2012 12:06 pm
    Probably buried deep in some little berg never to be seen again.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Father Ryan ...........
    April 12, 2012 12:27 pm
    I am sure you are acting in a manner you feel is best within your own congregation, as many good Catholics may be indifferent to or supportive of gay marriage. ......... Unfortunately, I doubt the hatred of the gay community, and many of their liberal/progressive supporters will not be abated by your stand. .. I really doubt that anti-Catholic bigotry will end or love break out. ..... You have your stand, and the Arch Bishop his. Both right, perhaps, or neither. But both valid.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Nervoso wrote...
    Father Ryan...
    April 12, 2012 12:36 pm
    Ron Prevost is complaining about anti-Catholic bigotry whilst supporting Catholicisms bigotry against human rights. Oh the irony!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    nervy -
    April 12, 2012 3:35 pm
    YOU are the guy on the last story post who thinks EVERY priest is raping every kid in existence. And you ARE the text book example of bigotry. ... What I have consistently blogged is against the bigotry of you and others like yourself (including the KKK, who also hate Catholics) but for the RIGHT of the Church to express its opinions. ... Opinions based on theology and teachings that go back 2000 years. ... I am truly sorry you find anything that disagrees with your 'truth' to be bigotry, but the Church does not base its teachings on hate like you do. .. And the Church DOES NOT deserve your blind hatred.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    oh, and FYI
    April 12, 2012 3:40 pm
    I PERSONALLY have no problem with the equal rights of gay marriage - just do not like you coopting the word. AND I would like you to give back the words 'Gay' and 'Partner' as well. Or is THAT bigoted ?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleNative wrote...
    @Nervoso
    April 12, 2012 1:50 pm
    Which human rights are those?

    God loves all people.

    John 3:36

    I'm still praying for you, Nervoso, that you'll find peace within your soul.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hnuh wrote...
    04-12-2012 Seattle's largest Catholic church won't...
    April 12, 2012 2:44 pm
    One of the purposes of gay marriage established as a "right" is the destruction of the church. To fulfill the progressive agenda of state as master of all life, the church must be destroyed. Gay "marriage" is a wedge the radical left is using. The church is mistaken in softly backing away from the contention, as it faces an implacable foe in the progressive movement.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Gar57 wrote...
    hnuh wrote....
    April 12, 2012 2:52 pm
    WOW. I mean, really-wow. "One of the purposes of gay marriage established as a "right" is the destruction of the church". Put the tinfoil hat back on and reread those signals, pal. Looks like they were a little garbled!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Keitho wrote...
    GAR57
    April 12, 2012 3:36 pm
    Hes right. Tinfoil hat or not. Check Canada. Clery are being persecuted for even quoting bible scripture regarding the subject. The Catholic church has had to close their orphanage back East because they will not adopt to gay couples. Now that gay marriage is legal in New York, they are open to lawsuits if the break their faith and adopt to gays. Not sure the intent was to destroy the church but the effect is the same.
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  • MrMoPar426 wrote...
    I will ...
    April 12, 2012 3:06 pm
    Sign the petition to allow this to come to a public vote so the will of the majority will prevail. We all know that residual second-hand pot smoke in the capitol buildings affects even those that are not the primary smokers.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Keitho wrote...
    Really sad
    April 12, 2012 3:30 pm
    The church is supposed to be the unwavering rock, the foundation of moral society. Not taking a stand on such a huge issue because some poeple's feelings might be hurt is a real cop out and a major dissapointment. May I assume he is not taking a stand regarding abortion as well? Those who had abortions would certainly feel shunned if the church took a stand against it. Morality is not a place for cowrads.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    in 1934, in Germany.............
    April 12, 2012 3:58 pm
    There were still many Jews who would not believe that the civilized state of Germany, even with a Hitler, would not respect their rights and religion. ............. I doubt that even more than 25% of the gay community, especially those who follow any religion, support the blind hatred of the Church. But those who do, together with others who care nothing about any gay rights, but will use any excuse to oppose religion, I fear certainly DO seek the destruction of the Catholic Church. ............ Why ? - Who knows. But why is there racism ? Blind hate is the only reason.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    Good call Ron
    April 12, 2012 5:25 pm
    Gay marriage is a lot like the systematic extermination of a people.

    Just like it in fact.

    Oh and Ron. There were thousands of gay men in those camps. They wore a pink symbol on their "uniforms", I can't remember what it was. I do know they didn't make it out either.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    Good job Father Ryan
    April 12, 2012 5:35 pm
    What's important from parishioners is not judging others but LOVE. Now that's following Jesus. INCLUSION is putting your actions over divisive rhetoric and overcomes hate.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Keitho wrote...
    Cigarfan
    April 12, 2012 6:10 pm
    So, Jesus is for homosexual acts? Abortion? Murder? Theft? Incest? Adultry? Those who do not judge do not have a moral compass. You can love the sinner but hate the sin.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @Keitho
    April 13, 2012 7:57 am
    Since you're asking Keitho: Jesus doesn't discuss homosexual acts to the best of my knowledge. Abortion is a medical procedure, not murder (ask your local policeman to explain it to you.) Murder, theft, incest are illegal to the best of my knowledge and adultry is certainly frowned on by the church but not illegal. You say "those who do not judge do not have a moral compass", Maybe I'm being forgetful but I don't remember that new testatment verse. I know Jesus discusses judging others, but I remember quite a different tone. I think you've been influenced by the apostle Paul -who never met Jesus.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Whatever Jesus said....
    April 13, 2012 8:20 am
    is likely a lot more than the actually little we have in the Bible. The Koran actually gives us more on his life overall, but even if Christianity should more rightly be called 'Paulism', that does not change that followers have every right to keep their beliefs - especially after 2000 years - and to express them in a free society. .................. And what of the beliefs of the Jews, who deny Jesus ? Or other world wide religions ?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • FellaCam wrote...
    HAHHAHAHAAHHA
    April 12, 2012 6:15 pm
    This dude is attempting to polish the brass on a sinking cause, the union of christians & non-christians. So pathetic...THE HATRED WILL GO UP, BUT SO WILL THE CHURCH. They will continue to be more & more polar opposites as society deteriorates & revival through the church breaks forth. Its happening before our very eyes & this dude who is supposed to be teaching about it is taking part in it. Sad for him & those he holds influence over.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    misguided Fella.........
    April 12, 2012 6:59 pm
    I would like, just once, to hear from those of you who seem to hate religion, just what IS IT you fear and hate so much. And PLEASE, explain this in a rational way devoid of unfounded generalizations, stereotypes, and warping of history. And also explain why, when you hate the Church and/or religion in general you are not guilty of the same bigotry you would condemn were it directed at you and yours. .......... Perhaps you can tell us all just what WAS wrong with Mother Theresa and Pope John Paul II. ... And why Franciscan hospitals treat anyone in need, regardless of insurance.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • FellaCam wrote...
    PREVOST......
    April 12, 2012 8:26 pm
    Im assuming your "misguided Fella" was aimed at me?... Um, I am in the churches corner. I was stating that I am sad this priest or whoever he is, didnt stand up for the Word of God. Read my post again in a different view...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    oops
    April 13, 2012 5:59 am
    my bad. ....... juctaposition, I scanned it as an attack on Keitho's post. ................ .................................. But, if I can re-direct to the actual haters, .....???
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    Where is the balance? Doesn't the left always call for "fairness"?
    April 12, 2012 6:38 pm
    So if being against gay marriage is extreme why isn't being for gay marriage also considered extreme? Guess the left only views something as fair if it fits their worldview...everyone else needs to sit and the back of the bus and shut up. The left treats catholics now just like they treated Rosa Parks who they also told to sit at the back of the bus and shut up.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @rational
    April 13, 2012 8:00 am
    The key is Equality. When same-sex marriage is legal, then you will have fairness. Let's not make this harder than necessary.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    cigarfan
    April 13, 2012 5:35 pm
    You're fabricating your own definition of equality and fairness. Now that you've had a turn of making up the rules and definitions of fairness the next person might be a neo-nazi...you are going to cheerfully follow their dictates, are you not?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @rational
    April 13, 2012 8:38 pm
    IF neo-nazis want to get married (same sex or not), I would not try to pass legislation to stop their marriage. Not that I share their ideology, but you get the point.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Snout wrote...
    Yes, morality can be divisive.
    April 12, 2012 9:10 pm
    Do right or do wrong.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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