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 Linda Thomas
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StJames.jpg
In addition to attending Mass at St. James Cathedral in Seattle Sunday, many Catholics will protest outside the church in support of same-sex marriage. (Photo by Bob Cerelli)

More than 1,000 Catholics come out in support of gay marriage

October 26, 2012 @ 7:48 am (Updated: 9:10 am - 10/26/12 )

The names of more than 1,000 Catholics will appear in a full-page newspaper ad Sunday endorsing Washington's marriage equality law.

Catholic leaders, Peter Sartain the Archbishop for Western Washington, oppose Referendum 74. Sartain says the Catholic church is not "against" anything. It is "for marriage, for husbands and wives."

In a video statement, Sartain says, "We are deeply concerned about equality, justice and the good of society and the family. Our support for traditional marriage is not born of bias or intolerance toward anyone. Instead, our purpose is to support the legal definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman in order to promote the common good."

There has been push-back from some Catholics as a vote on Referendum 74 nears. A group of Jesuit-educated laypersons are planning a pro-marriage equality demonstration Sunday afternoon at St. James Cathedral in Seattle.

The advertisements of Catholics in support of same-sex marriage will appear in the Herald of Everett, The Seattle Times, and the Yakima Herald-Republic.

The Seattle Times company has taken the unusual stand of buying campaign ads in support of the referendum in its pages. That decision has upset news staff who say it hurts their credibility.

About five percent of the names in the add will appear as "anonymous."

By LINDA THOMAS

More from Linda Thomas

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Comments (48)


  • Add A Comment

  • HLC wrote...
    If they support the homosexual lifestyle.
    October 26, 2012 7:35 am
    They are not really catholic now are they? What happened to support the sinner not the sin?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • GloScot wrote...
    HLC
    October 26, 2012 8:03 am
    I don't know what you are saying here, really. Supporting the sinner is still being willing to say, "look I love you and respect your view, but if you say this isn't a sin, in the view of your own scripture, you're wrong." Jesus tells us to be hot or cold. If we're lukewarm, and trying to have our lives both ways, we are not His.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zoeller wrote...
    These supposed 1,000 people
    October 26, 2012 7:52 am
    Are not real Catholics. Just wannabes and claim to bees.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Like that wanna be gay guy (for bib book buck$) a few days age?
    October 26, 2012 7:57 am
    They're just posing as Catholics for a year.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • teamgriffey24 wrote...
    Seriously Linda...
    October 26, 2012 7:59 am
    The daily gay story is getting really old.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TheNewsChick wrote...
    Seriously people
    October 26, 2012 9:51 am
    Our state is going to vote on Referendum 74 in 11 days, if you don't consider this as news I have three pieces of advice. 1) Don't read the story. The headline is not a trick it tells you exactly what the story will be about. 2) Don't waste your time commenting on a story that you didn't like reading thinking it will have an impact on my decision to cover/not cover future stories on this topic or another topic. 3) Have a good weekend.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    Yes this is news however this is only one of many Referendums.
    October 26, 2012 3:47 pm
    You asked once how can a listerner/reader determine your political leanings.......I answered by the stories you read/write/ and how you read/report the story. You have used your position as a media type to promote this one perticular issue. This is why most Americans today state the media "Industry" is biased in it's reporting....are you as a media person reporting news or are you, using your position to slant the news? Considering your coverage of gay marriage on a every other day basis, you are no longer an observer but rather a promoter. So yes we can all stop reading or as many have done, push the button and that is fine....but please in what little way you all pretend to be media journalist, save us the no biased lecture as you all have become opinionated. And you have a nice weekend too.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TheNewsChick wrote...
    mnpat
    October 27, 2012 5:50 am
    I have covered the other referendums too, mnpat, and I've covered both sides of R 74. While this might seem like "another gay" story it is the other side of a story I posted several weeks ago. I published the entire entire transcript of Archbishop Sartain's opposition to same-sex marriage. I might add, with no comment from me then and there's no editorial from me now.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    Ms Thomas,
    October 27, 2012 8:03 am
    I appreciate your reply. I personally have no dog in this fight. My issue has been why married couples in this country have been given “Carte blanch” in regards to personal and property rights while unmarried couples or single individuals do not have that luxury unless pervade through the use of a legal contract. My other issue has been the role of media in any personal or public campaign. Just being in the news make the report news in itself. You must admit (and then again maybe you will not) that throughout the past several months the issue regarding gay marriage/the gay community has been highlighted by the KIRO radio team. I myself would be somewhat more interested in detail about the recent deaths of Americans overseas but that is maybe just me. Have a nice weekend.
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  • Keitho wrote...
    Not Catholics
    October 26, 2012 8:10 am
    I doubt most are Catholics and those that are are not following Catholic doctorine so are they really Catholics?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    most american catholics are not nearly...
    October 26, 2012 9:42 am
    as conservative as the vaticant wants them to be.

    most American catholics want change to happen in the church to make it more modern and fitting with the time.

    how about you know-it-alls ASK a few real catholics instead of just spouting off like usual.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • GloScot wrote...
    Oly80
    October 26, 2012 10:17 am
    Truth doesn't have to be modified to fit with the times. Unfortunately, a good number in the church (and not just Catholics)seem to believe that their beliefs have to conform to society. Society is more than happy to get us to compromise our faith, declare truth to be irrelevant and even convince us that the Bible doesn't say or Jesus didn't say what we know it and He said.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    incorrect...
    October 26, 2012 11:31 am
    many people in the American catholic church recognize that there are gods laws and laws created by men.

    laws like: priests not marrying (man-made), women not serving (man-made), and several other man-made issues people have with the church. those laws weren't thought up at the beginning, they came later. if you knew the actual HISTORY of the church you'd see how backwards things are within it. the fact that THINKING people wish it would change to be current with the times isn't ignoring the TRUTH (whatever YOUR interpretation of THAT is) it's understanding the ACTUAL message that the church was founded on.

    nice try though.

    and yes, they are catholics. the don't need to start a new church, they want the church as a whole to evolve, or devolve back to the original messages set out by the founder. it's clear none of you really knows what you are talking about and you're spouting off using the version of christianity that you bought in to to say how it should be for EVERYONE.

    get over yourselves.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zoeller wrote...
    Oly:
    October 26, 2012 1:31 pm
    Are you suggesting that I ask myself?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    uh...
    October 26, 2012 1:56 pm
    in my last post. no.

    unless you don't buy that people within the church came up with those rules a long time after it's founders were dead.

    if you don't understand that, then i can't reason with you, because you ignore fact.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zoeller wrote...
    Oly:
    October 26, 2012 1:31 pm
    Are you suggesting that I ask myself?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    We sometimes go to St James....
    October 26, 2012 11:58 am
    and I think Rome/Paul is wrong about a lot of things. Fortunately we can welcome LGBT persons, use birth control, and be INCLUSIVE instead of being reactionary today. Progressive Catholics/Episcopalians are what churches need, not misogynist, homophobia, Islamophobia and other right wing christian judgements -such as avoiding birth control -that rivals the dark ages.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Keitho wrote...
    What kind of church....
    October 26, 2012 12:59 pm
    Evolves? If you cannot count on your church to remain the rock of moraility then what good is the church. The scriptures have not evolved with the times. The left also thinks the Constitution should evolve as well. If you cant keep your foundations stable the socity crumbles
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    the teachings of jesus...
    October 26, 2012 2:04 pm
    didn't change.

    ...and none of them have to do with same sex marriages.

    the church MUST evolve with the times if it is to remain relevant. the message doesn't have to change. the MAIN moral of being a good person doesn't have to change. adding in all of the hatred can go, though. some of you seem very focused on keeping it.

    some of you just seem to pick and choose the teachings (old and new testament) that suit you and you ignore that whole 'love everyone' thing that was the main message of the new testament, and thus the cornerstone of christianity.

    you can go on and on all you want about this, but, on this one. you're wrong.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    oh...
    October 26, 2012 2:05 pm
    and EVERY church that isn't catholic evolved into what it is today.

    just an fyi.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @Keitho
    October 26, 2012 2:52 pm
    Just in case you are not Catholic, the Catholic church believes in Evolution. The creature who is not able to adapt, -goes extinct.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Keitho wrote...
    Keep it up Linda
    October 26, 2012 1:02 pm
    I for one welcome the conversation. It does seem to come up an awful lot but as you say, if we dont want to read it then dont. It appears based on recent polling that the conversation is moving the needle towards rejecting R-74 so I welcome the chance to debate and maybe change a few minds.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    More than 1,000 Catholics? Fine!
    October 26, 2012 2:17 pm
    How about the more than a MILLION Catholics who will not side against the will of the Heavenly Father!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @Lord Ha ha!
    October 26, 2012 2:50 pm
    Rome & Paul are not infallible ....this is the problem with fundamentalists, who can't think outside of right wing christian fascism that is represented by the bumper sticker "God said it, I believe it, that settles it!" In other words, turn your brain off and vote GOP.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    heavenly father...
    October 28, 2012 11:48 am
    that sounds more like a mormon reference to god that what's now common in the catholic church.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    OK, 1000 people who think of themselves as Catholic certainly DO have their rights to disagree with the mein.
    October 26, 2012 2:41 pm
    Funny, though, how the left rushes to their defense while denying freedom of speech to the greater majority within the Church.

    Personally, I can disagree with a lot of things - as do most people who don't march lock-step to any dogma. And the Church DOES allow for a lot of latitude. So these 1000 may freely express their opinions.

    But those who oppose gay marriage have the same rights to THEIR opinions. And EVERYTHING 'new' is not modern, nor everything modern not new. Nor necessarily right.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    And so do you ron, with the little r
    October 26, 2012 8:44 pm
    "have the same rights to THEIR opinions."

    As you can see, many are attacking those who express support for R74, right here on this blog.

    So how is YOUR grievance more severe than, say Linda's? Who got attacked for merely a perception that she supports gay marriage?

    You certainly have the right to your opinion Mr. ron.

    As long as you have it in you to take disagreement without whining about persecution.

    That is so characteristic of the right, these days.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Misguided lawn -
    October 27, 2012 4:07 am
    Both (all) sides have rights of opinion. ... INCLUDING those who would attack the opinions of others. ... To believe otherwise sets degrees of free speech.

    Of course, each side believes the other is wrong. ...... But it seems too much that some sides of the issue are so sure of themselves that they can slander and attack with impunity. That they would actually deny others their opinion.

    Of course, some believe this attitude exists ONLY in the 'other' side. So 'characteristic' of 'them'.

    BTW, Mr. Lawn. My position in this issue has been consistently that all sided DO have the right to their opinion. Don't strain yourself trying to guess my vote.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    I voted weeks ago, ron I had to do early provisional
    October 27, 2012 4:47 am
    So we'll cancel each other out.

    You wrote "But it seems too much that some sides of the issue are so sure of themselves that they can slander and attack with impunity. That they would actually deny others their opinion."

    And just who would are those people who are "so sure of themselves"?

    My point was that the claims of persecution, discrimination and victimhood that are increasingly coming from the traditionally privileged.

    Who still are privileged, by the way.

    I thought you were displaying a bit of that.

    I could be wrong though.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Lawnboy, if you had been reading my posts, I most likely will vote FOR 74, but......
    October 27, 2012 5:59 am
    the 'so sure of themselves' obviously starts with the Dan Savages of this world. But includes people such as yourself who seem to think discrimination only goes one way. .... AND includes those who - once 'evolved' - demonize their own prior positions.

    Just wondering. Just how is 'history' is on our side and 'we must change with the times' any different from 'God is on our side'? ... And not EVERYTHING need be automatically right/left.

    .

    BTW. ... Just how does one cast a 'provisional' ballot in Washington as we are now mail-in only and got our ballots now over a week ago?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    I have been gone well over a month
    October 27, 2012 6:29 am
    You get them online at the King County Website, something like everyvotecounts. You print a ballot based on your precinct, then supply some identification information, fill it out and mail it in. They validate it with a signature comparison, just like a regular ballot. It became available September 22, as I recall.

    Well, for every DAN Savage we have a Michael. For every Bill Mahr we have a Rush Limbaugh.

    Mr. ron, I don't think discrimination just goes one way but some of the privileged in this country have become tiresome in their claims of "class warfare", at least to me.

    I consider myself privileged, certainly not in the way of our new robber barons, you know those guys who pay lower tax rates than the guy carrying a lunch bucket at Boeing.

    But privileged non the less.

    Even WITH the grinding discrimination I suffered as a youth because I was Catholic.

    Just kidding ron.

    We are getting a late start this morning with our sightseeing.

    Have a good day Mr. ron.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Cigarette puffer.
    October 26, 2012 4:05 pm
    Oh really! What we are seeing here is the classic left wing attack upon anyone who's beliefs do not equate to the manifesto of the Obama regime.

    I believe in and follow, to the best of my ability, the word of God and teachings of Jesus and the Bible. Marriage is a Sacrament from God between ONE MAN and ONE WOMAN. Just because you may reject the word of God in favor of your Dear Leader Obama political hate rhetoric in yours desires to get even with us does not change God's will nor his message to those who choose to listen.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @Lord Ha ha!
    October 26, 2012 4:39 pm
    You have to use your brain when you read the bible. Leviticus tells you to do many things that are illegal and/or immoral. Paul says a lot of stupid stuff. Once again, -you need to use your brain when reading religious texts.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    I'm confused
    October 27, 2012 5:35 am
    I want to become a cool, tolerant hipster. From what I understand, that means I should support all things gay and reject all things religious. If 1,000 intolerant bible thumpers come out in support of gay marriage, doesn't that mean I should be against it? Is there a guide book I can refer to in order to be one with the progressive cult? Are we still going with Hope and Change as our motto or is that out of fashion now?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    Try
    October 27, 2012 9:29 am
    A hood and a robe and a burning cross and I promise you will fit right in. I salom my lakum
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    uhh, with all due respect mr guru
    October 27, 2012 4:34 pm
    This topic is about gayness. Your KKK fetish may be a fascinating topic for you but we are speaking of other fetishes right now. Take your seat in the rear and keep quiet until it is your turn to speak. The homos have the floor now.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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