SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco’s Roman Catholic archbishop says he invited leaders of the Mormon Church to get involved in the campaign to pass a gay marriage ban in California this year at the request of his fellow bishops.
Archbishop George Niederauer wrote in a column to be published in a diocesan newspaper Friday that he wanted to address the “many misunderstandings and hard feelings” resulting from Proposition 8’s adoption.
It’s the first time the archbishop has commented on how churches organized to help push through the initiative, which overturned the California Supreme Court’s decision to legalize same-sex nuptials. Mormon leaders had given a similar account of how its members, who represent about 2 percent of the California residents with a religious affiliation, came to play such a prominent role in promoting Proposition 8.
Niederauer said that after the state’s Catholic bishops endorsed the measure, staff from the California Catholic Conference told him The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had actively supported a similar ballot initiative eight years ago.
Niederauer, who previously served as bishop of Salt Lake City, said he sent a letter to Mormon leaders.
“I did write to them and they urged the members of their Church, especially those in California, to become involved,” he said.
By some estimates, contributions from Mormon supporters accounted for 45 percent of the $38 million raised by the Yes on 8 campaign.
In the month since the election, Mormon temples around the country have become targets of protest, and some gay rights activists have called for a boycott of Mormon-owned businesses and even the entire state of Utah.
Ever since Hinckley took over the Mormons have made a concerted effort to find more acceptance as a mainstream religion. Prop 8 gave them an opportunity to pander to the religious rightnits and to curry favor with the ultra-conservative bigots.
The sad thing is, their glory and acceptance will not last. Evangelicals, Jews and even Catholics will not let the Mormon assistance in this fight cloud their disdainful view of Mormon theology – they find many of their doctrines repugnant to Christianity, including their lack of belief in monotheism, their treatment of Blacks, their proxy-baptisms, their claim to be THE ONLY TRUE CHURCH, their belief that the virgin Mary was actually physically impregnated by God, and their disbelief in the Trinity, among many, many others.
Ever since Hinckley took over the Mormons have made a concerted effort to find more acceptance as a mainstream religion. Prop 8 gave them an opportunity to pander to the religious rightnits and to curry favor with the ultra-conservative bigots.
The sad thing is, their glory and acceptance will not last. Evangelicals, Jews and even Catholics will not let the Mormon assistance in this fight cloud their disdainful view of Mormon theology – they find many of their doctrines repugnant to Christianity, including their lack of belief in monotheism, their treatment of Blacks, their proxy-baptisms, their claim to be THE ONLY TRUE CHURCH, their belief that the virgin Mary was actually physically impregnated by God, and their disbelief in the Trinity, among many, many others.
It’s very impressive how the Mormon Church can bond together and make such a difference for the cause they believe in. Although I don’t agree with their position, the Mormons have shown a wonderful sense of unity and determination in expressing their beliefs in this matter.
It’s very impressive how the Mormon Church can bond together and make such a difference for the cause they believe in. Although I don’t agree with their position, the Mormons have shown a wonderful sense of unity and determination in expressing their beliefs in this matter.