Timothy Broglio, the Archbishop for the Military Services in the USA is against the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. In his post Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Implemented Kelly J. Wilson believes that “The Archbishop is on the wrong side of this issue.”
I happen to differ and believe that the Archbishop is on the right side of this issue.
Focusing on one’s sexual orientation has no place in the military. The military is for defense of one’s nation and should not play politics with one’s sexual orientation. What is the need for either homosexuals or heterosexuals to display their sexual escapades openly while serving overseas?
Here is what the Catechism has to say on homosexuality:
Chastity and homosexuality
2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,141 tradition has always declared that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.”142 They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.
2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.
2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.
The focus is clearly on chastity. Why do homosexuals need to “come out” while serving in the military if they are going to live chaste lives? The problem is that the majority in the military who are openly homosexual are not living chaste lives.
Kelly Wilson stated: “Have the ‘moral beliefs of individuals [and] their living conditions’ really been sacrificed as the Archbishop suggests? I wouldn’t think so. A Catholic service man or service woman is not being asked to cease to believe what the Church believes, and if such a person is really so inconvenienced in his or her ‘living conditions’ merely because a known homosexual person lives and sleeps in close proximity, then perhaps it is time for that service person to either grow up, or find employment elsewhere.”
But can they really express Catholic beliefs openly 24/7 on homosexuality or any other issue?
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was a happy medium between the time prior to its implementation where homosexuals were sought out and dismissed by the military and now where there are fears of discrimination directed at those with religious beliefs who speak out against homosexuality and homosexual acts. This is a threat to every Americans religious freedom. This is what liberals (or non-traditionalists) like Kelly Wilson don’t understand, what they perceive to be “fair” has far-reaching harmful implications and actually causes discrimination and “Christianophobia”. In fact, yes, they are being asked to cease their beliefs on homosexuality. Since the military has threatened the chaplains what makes you think that they won’t pressure and threaten servicemen to switch their beliefs? The military is even threatening to court-martial chaplains who speak out against homosexuality.
When you recognize homosexuals and allow them to declare their homosexuality openly you are in effect approving of their homosexual acts.
Rick Santorum answered a question on the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” during the last GOP debate and his answer is spot on (embedding is unfortunately disabled).
Here is a video showing that Rick Santorum does indeed support all soldiers including Stephen Hill, the homosexual soldier who asked the question at the debate.
