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Donahue: MN Catholic sex scandal about “the gays”

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Donahue: MN Catholic sex scandal about “the gays”

Bill-Donohue

Bill Donohue of the Catholic League lashed out at the LGBT community, claiming that the current scandal rocking the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis over child sexual abuse is “all about homosexuality.”

Donohue is the head of the Catholic League, an organization boasts $30 million in assets, and has close ties to the Catholic Church, including charing an address with the Archdiocese of New York.

In a press release about the public calls for Archbishop John Nienstedt to step down, Donohue claimed that Nienstedt is being attacked by “homosexual activists.

“It’s all about homosexuality,” Donohue said. “Ever since Archbishop Nienstedt criticized the pro-gay film, “Brokeback Mountain,” he has been targeted by homosexual activists all over the nation. So it is hardly surprising to read a story on him in today’s New York Times that cites his take on the movie. Had he liked it, and had he been silent on the subject of gay marriage, no one would be calling for his resignation.”

Here’s the rest of Donohue’s press release:

If there is one area where critics have a point it is the handling by archdiocesan officials, prior to Nienstedt’s tenure, of two disturbed priests: there were enough red flags early on to warrant a more punitive approach. What these critics fail to say, however, is that the red flags involved homosexuality. At least in one case, it appears that the priest was protected precisely because he was gay. This is indefensible.
Further proof that homosexuality is the real issue driving the foes of Nienstedt can be found in today’s Star Tribune and Pioneer Press, two newspapers in the Twin Cities. Both asked him yesterday what he does in bed and with whom. He told the former, “No, I’m not gay. And I’m not anti-gay.” When the latter asked if he had had sex with men since becoming archbishop, he said, “No. Not even before.”
We have hit a new low when journalists descend to the level of probing puritans. They would put a camera in his bedroom if they could. If these same reporters spent more time trying to out Nienstedt’s anonymous accusers–instead of trying to out his sex life–justice would be served. But that is not their interest, which is why injustice reigns supreme.

It’s not the first time Donohue has defended Catholic leaders on the issue of child sexual abuse by attacking the LGBT community. In 2010, Donohue called the child sexual abuse perpetrated by members of the Catholic hierarchy as a “homosexual crisis.”

In 2013, he said that the priests that prey on children are “gay.”

Donohue’s controversial statements also prompted South Park to lampoon him in 2007:

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Andy Birkey has written for a number of Minnesota and national publications. He founded Eleventh Avenue South which ran from 2002-2011, wrote for the Minnesota Independent from 2006-2011, the American Independent from 2010-2013. His writing has appeared in The Advocate, The Star Tribune, The Huffington Post, Salon, Cagle News Service, Twin Cities Daily Planet, TheUptake, Vita.mn and much more. His writing on LGBT issues, the religious right and social justice has won awards including Best Beat Reporting by the Online News Association, Best Series by the Minnesota chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, and an honorable mention by the Sex-Positive Journalism awards.