Friday, June 1, 2012

Federal Court Rules DOMA Unconstitutional; and an unrelated item:Nuns Fight Back

In a case of "You can't have your cake and eat it too" a Federal Appeals Court ruled in favor of plaintiffs who are legally married in Massachusetts, but cannot claim federal benefits due to married couples because they are same gender couples.  Anti-gay marriage folks insist on preserving the right of states to define marriage (provided they define it as between one man and one woman) but won't agree to honor states' definition of marriage at the federal level if it includes same gender individuals.  The court logically concluded that you can't have it both ways.  While the ruling is not binding until the Supremes have a go at it, it does make a statement for human rights and dignity.

In another story, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious is fighting back after accusations by the Vatican's Inquisitors that the nuns are not "Catholic enough" to please Pope B16.  See CBS News clip here

And another clip here:

 

Who would have thought that the thousands of women in religious orders in the US would be put in a similar position vis-a-vis the Vatican as are LGBT men and woman who are and wish to remain Catholic.  People like uber-catholic Bill Donahue says the nuns should just "get out".   Sounds a lot like  religious "cleansing" and I don't mean that as a good thing.  Yet there was not even a slap on the wrist for bishops who tolerated and covered up pedophiles among their clergy.

I think the nuns are a very smart group of women and I am looking forward to their on-going response to the situation.

3 comments:

William Dameron said...

Frank, one day soon Paul and I will be able to say we are married in all 50 states. I never thought I would see it in my lifetime, but the times, they are a changin'!

Russ Manley said...

The Vatican hierarchy is so totally out of touch - Benedict must think he's living in 1512. And I'm sure you're aware of the pope's butler who was arrested and thrown in the Vatican slammer for passing on secret documents exposing the corruption there. It all seems to me like a dead tree, rotten and ready to fall down with just one good push. They sure aren't doing God's work there, like these nuns are.

Moving with Mitchell said...

Such strange and inconsistent times we live in!

The nuns are not Catholic enough the but pedophiles are...

But, on an up note, I agree with Bill (above). 30 years ago, it never even crossed my mind that I would one day be legally married anywhere in the world. I am now so... in Iowa (IOWA!!!) and that is recognized here in Spain.

And 30 years ago, although there were plenty of activists, voices like yours — loud, honest, intelligent, funny voices like yours — were rare. It gives me hope (at the moment)!

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