IL Catholic Bishop To Hold Prayer of Exorcism Against Marriage Equality

[Altair]

Apparently, the arrival of marriage equality to Illinois has some people's heads spinning like Linda Blair's:

Bishop To Hold 'Prayers of Exorcism' On Same-Sex Marriage

Scheduled for approximately the same time that Gov. Pat Quinn signs into Illinois law the redefinition of civil marriage, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki will offer “Prayers of Supplication and Exorcism in Reparation for the Sin of Same-Sex Marriage” at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

http://wuis.org/post/bishop-hold-prayers-exorcism-same-sex-marriage

Things like this are one of the reasons why I shrug off the new pope's statements suggesting a less fixated Roman Catholic church; it doesn't amount to much of a change, if folks like this don't get the memo.

It's one thing to disagree with same-sex marriage; but to say it's a manifestation of Satan's influence and needs to be exorcised?? That's taking the rhetoric to a whole new level. SSM opponents complain about us LGBT activists demonizing them in the debate, but, um, this literally demonizes the other side. But mostly, this guy is just making himself look ridiculous (and PR tone-deaf), without any help from the likes of me.

Let 'em pray. Meanwhile, thousands of Illinois' lesbians and gays will happily embrace long overdue acknowledgment of their equal citizenship.

[RandallS]

Things like this are one of the reasons why I shrug off the new pope's statements suggesting a less fixated Roman Catholic church; it doesn't amount to much of a change, if folks like this don't get the memo.

The proof of which way the new Pope is going will be in his appointments of bishops and cardinals. If he appoints people who don't do this type of crap, then he'll be instituting real change. Otherwise, yes, it is just hot air.