Minnesota Catholic priest Father Bob Pierson is putting career second with his stance on gay marriage. (Photo: screen grab)
Some people say that Minnesota is where hell went to freeze over; so it makes sense that Catholic priest Bob Pierson is stationed in the Minneapolis suburb of Edina.
Father Bob, in his official capacity as a priest, urged a flock of 200 this past Sunday to vote no on a gay marriage ban.
Minnesota voters will take to the ballots this November to determine if the states ban on same sex marriage should be retrofitted into the states constitution. Father Bob Piersons sermon broke sharply with church doctrine.
Watch the full 10-minute homily, or digest a salient morsel, transcribed by Raw Story:
As Catholics we must follow our own conscience in making decisions such as how to vote. My conscience tells me to vote no on the amendment . In fact, I believe the church does not have the right to force its moral teaching on others outside the fold.
Too many of us have been taught to think of God in terms of Gods judgment, rather than Gods tremendous love and mercy, Pierson explained. I believe this amendment violates an important principle in Catholic teaching, and that as Catholics, we can vote no.
Piersons voice appears to represent a minority of the states catholic hierarchy.
Earlier in June, hundreds of Catholics gathered at the Minnesota state capitol to clutch their rosaries, pray together and raise their voices in unison to define marriage as between one man and one woman.
The states Catholic bishops (all of whom outrank Father Bob Pierson) were instrumental in placing the marriage inequality measure on the ballot. Also, Minnesota churches have inserted a Prayer for Marriage into mass. Parishioners petition for courage to proclaim and defend [Gods] plan for marriage, which is the union of one man and one woman in a lifelong, exclusive relationship.
If you were to pray for courage, what would that courage be used for? Leave your courage in COMMENTS.
