A letter condemning same-sex marriage as blasphemous and a perversion was included recently in the church bulletin at St. Eulalia Catholic Church in Coudersport by the parish priest, the Rev. James C. Campbell.
Coudersport native Natalie Giannotti has taken to Facebook to express her displeasure with the message, and to “bring awareness to his hateful rhetoric.”
Campbell did not immediately return messages sent to the church office seeking comment.
Giannotti grew up attending St. Eulalia Church with her family, and is a devout Catholic who attended DeSales University — a Catholic college in Lehigh County.
Her comments were not to condemn the Catholic Church, she explained, but were to “reclaim the love and compassion the church is founded on.”
Campbell’s full-page letter quotes the Bible, along with religious teachings and tradition, all of which take a strong stance against homosexuality.
“In recent months numerous people have inquired about the Church’s teaching on attending so-called ‘same-sex wedding ceremonies.’ Not a few faithful Catholics have related their experience of being demonized for refusing to compromise on this issue,” Campbell’s letter begins. “Still others have told me that they have been psychologically, mentally and emotionally badgered by means of argumentation and verbal attacks for upholding the Church’s teaching on marriage and family life.
“With increasing frequency Catholics are having to endure criticism and are falsely labeled intolerant, uncharitable, rigid, hypocritical and judgmental for their refusal to go along with the ever changing currents of the spirit of the age,” the letter stated.
He continued, explaining why he believes Catholics cannot attend same-sex weddings.
Catholics believe the Bible is the word of God, and that sacred traditions of the church are passed to the faithful through Divine Revelation, Campbell explained.
He quoted the Bible, which denounces homosexuality as “gravely depraved, unnatural and intrinsically disordered,” and said same-sex weddings should be rejected as contrary to Catholic teaching.
“So-called ‘same sex marriage’ is not only a perversion and complete rejection of the moral law and the natural order as regards to the good of marriage, its purpose and its intended end, it is also an utter rejection of the Divine Law as regards to marriage,” Campbell’s letter read.
“This rejection and defiance constitutes blasphemy,” it continued. “Given this premise no Christian can in good conscience show any enthusiasm, excitement or support of so-called ‘same-sex marriage,’ nor can they approve, accept, tolerate any behavior that is considered immoral.”
Giannotti said she was disappointed, but wasn’t surprised at Campbell’s letter.
“It’s not an isolated incident,” she said. “Regardless of the Church’s teaching, Father James’s teaching is on hate and condemnation. I strongly believe that is not in line with what Pope Francis teaches.”
Pope Francis has been quoted as saying, “Who am I to judge?” in response to questions about homosexuality.
Giannotti said, “My question is, Who is Father James to judge?”
She said her question for the priest would be this: “How is this an example of love and holy behavior and how will this lead to love and salvation?”
Giannotti said her sister is gay, and is “one of the most devout Catholics I know. She attends masses with her girlfriend and they have been accepted into other parishes in New England where they live.”
She and her family and friends have started a letter-writing campaign to the Diocese of Erie to ask them to intervene. What exactly does she hope to gain?
“I have no goal to kick him out or to ruin his career or oust him,” Giannotti said. “I would like to see more love. Several families have left this particular parish because of other incidents with this priest.
“I’d like to see a change in behavior, in his love and acceptance and his rhetoric.”
A spokeswoman with the Erie Diocese on Wednesday said no one was available to speak on the issue.
