General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Hey Catholic Cut-n-Runners: Come Back, Now. DU, Your Country, and World Need You. [View all]BainsBane
(53,029 posts)Parishes vary a great deal. The church has become more conservative during the past two papacies through appointments to bishoprics. That has made the church more conservative on cultural issues but it has always been committed to social justice and to the left of the Democratic party on economic/social issues. But many local parish priests remain liberal, as our the majority of Catholic parishioners. Some 60% support gay marriage according to the Human Rights campaign.
I can tell by your response you know nothing of the history of Catholics and Liberation Theologians in particular to right-wing military governments in Latin America funded with our tax dollars. There are mass graves with thousands of Catholics, including nuns, priests, and thousands of Indians, throughout Latin American and especially in Central America (see El Mozote in El Salvador). Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated while giving mass in El Salvador. Jesuit priests and nuns were killed in the same period, all by military governments backed by the US and funded with our tax dollars.
Obviously I know nothing about what goes on in churches in Seattle. It likely has to do with whoever the bishop or archbishop of that diocese is and he may be heavy handed in imposing orthodoxy, which can only mean declining attendance. Americans have always been what are called "Cafeteria Catholics," picking and choosing what they want to believe. There actually is a basis in Catholic teachings for such an approach, as Andrew Sullivan wrote about this weekend. http://dish.andrewsullivan.com/