getting my irish up
Written by patty on March 13th, 2009Full disclosure: my heritage is mostly Irish. I was raised Catholic, and no longer participate in the Catholic religion. I went to high school with State Senator McDonald, I consider him a civil rights hero for his work to make gay marriage legal in my state, and when a friend of mine from New York wanted to legally marry his partner of many years I contacted Andrew to ask if he’d perform the ceremony (and he did so, gladly). Senator McDonald is not a close friend of mine; we mostly lost touch after high school. But I respect his work, and I’d vote for him in a minute if I lived in his district.
So let me get this straight: a priest stole more than $1 million from his parish, footing the bill for an extravagant lifestyle with his lover with the stolen funds. Senator McDonald represents the town where this parish is located. He and another legislator introduced a bill, brought forward to them by Catholic constituents, that would empower laypeople to over see parish finances to prevent something like this from happening again.
Why did Catholics come out en masse in Hartford earlier this week to protest this bill? I am sure some of them objected to the state interfering with church structure and governance. Fine, I get that. Consider me a big fan of separation of church and state. Could it be possible that maybe just some of the Catholic protesters were targeting Senator McDonald because he is gay? Because he played a major role in bringing true civil rights to Connecticut, now that gays and lesbians can marry? I’m just, uhhh, asking.
This wouldn’t have anything to do with the church’s institutionalized discrimination towards gays and lesbians unless they are priests or nuns um, stance on hating the “sin” of homosexuality? No? There wouldn’t be any ill feelings towards this smart, charismatic, accomplished man who changed our state for the better… in direct violation of Church doctrine? No? Just checking.
The Ancient Order of Hibernian announced they would not march in Stamford’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade if Senator McDonald marched in it. They would quietly stand to the side if he marched. Oooh, how brave! How noble of this Catholic organization! Except for one minor detail. The AOH apparently made this sweeping proclamation after Senator McDonald contacted them to say that he would bow out of this year’s parade:
But, McDonald said, he made the decision before the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America Thursday afternoon threatened to quietly step aside from the route should he march.
“I had communicated that to the AOH prior to their release of their statement,” McDonald said.
-The Advocate, home of world famous columnist Kevin McKeever, March 13 2008
I’m sure the AOH’s official stance is one of protest against this proposed legislation (which has since been tabled!). Something tells me their empty threat has more to do with discrimination against a gay man. Not to mention ignorance.
13
PM
I raise my Guinness to you, good lady, for multiple reasons.
13
PM
Senator McDonald I also admire because in a real sense he champions those who other wise would not have a voice. Sorry to me that is what a “christian” is, not just a believer and this is what i have tried to do my adult life. Cheers to you Patty!
BTW, we couldn’t tell from your red hair that you had any Irish in you!
14
AM
I will take a sip or two of someone else’s Guinness on that!
I can’t even figure out what that proposed bill is about, much less why people are so angry about it.
14
AM
AH&UC, thank you. Make mine a black and tan, ok?
Whitemist, if you saw my kid… he’s the one with the real red hair. Boy were we shocked!
Stamford Talk, I think there’s a special provision for women who are 52 weeks pregnant: you can enjoy a pint if you’re still pregnant on Tuesday.
19
AM
And I would buy you a Guinness or three for those words. So well said. Keep feeling Californian for us. We are re-fighting on Prop 8 (aka Prop Hate) daily here. With education and unity the sane and good will prevail.