Tucson Diocese to Bishop Gumbleton: Thou Shalt Not Speak on Catholic Property

It is rare that a diocese will not allow a bishop from another diocese the right to speak at an event in their diocese. In fact it is an almost automatic courtesy to do so. But when you have a bishop who wants to speak on Church property to a group that is opposed to Church teachings & the Bishop of the diocese wants to uphold the Church's teaching then for once the answer is no.

The Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of the Diocese of Tucson, AZ has told Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton that he cannot sanction his visit since he will be speaking to the local chapter of Call to Action. According to an article in the Arizona Daily Star Bishop Kicanas said no to the visit because the group "takes positions that are contrary to church teachings. For that reason, the group's messages cannot be promoted on church property." It also reports that Bishop Kicanas sent a letter to Bishop Gumbleton explaining his reasons. In it he "made it clear that Gumbleton will not be in Tucson at the invitation of the local diocese."

Unfortunately, Bishop Gumbleton & Call to Action don't get the message. They have arranged to have the meeting at First Christian Church in Tucson. But that the bishop is still going ahead isn't surprizing. This is far from his 1st attack on the orthodox teachings of the Catholic Church. & he is the darling of many of this groups that call for changes on the Church's teachings about homosexuality, clebacy, etc.

If you remember, Bishop Fabian W. Bruskewitz of the Diocese of Lincoln, NE issued an excommunication for anyone who belongs to Call to Action in his diocese. The excommunication was appealed to Rome & upheld. & now another Bishop is taking a stand saying that this group is wrong to oppose Church teachings. Let's hope & pray that this is a sign of a trend in the right direction for our American Bishops.

UPDATE 4 February 2007, 1:40 AM CST: According to a report from Catholic World News Bishop Gumbleton has cancelled his appearance at the Call to Action meeting. Naturally, Call to Action spokesmen have claimed that Bishop Gumbleton was silenced. In other words, the spin has begun. It is clear from the original story that he wasn't silenced. He was just told by Bishop Kicanas that the standard protocols wouldn't be applied as that would mean at least tacit approval of Call to Action. Bishop Gumbleton was not stopped from coming if he wanted to. Nor was he silenced. & THAT"S THE TRUTH!!!!! But since when have groups like Call to Action let the truth stand in the way of a good heresy?