DETROIT, Feb 8 (LifeSiteNews) – The auxiliary bishop of Detroit, Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, whose stance on homosexuality is seen by many as contrary to that of the Vatican, is supporting a city ordinance that may land the church in court on charges of “discrimination.” Bishop Gumbleton held a rally Sunday at St. James Church in Ferndale in support of the measure which would ban discrimination against homosexuals regarding employment, housing, public accommodations, and public services.
Catholic World News reported yesterday that the measure does not allow for exemptions for religious organizations. “If passed violators, including churches that refuse to hire homosexuals for positions in charities, educational positions, day care centers, or even the clergy, would face $500 fines and civil lawsuit,” reported CWN.
LifeSite reported in November 1997 that Bishop Gumbleton caused an uproar in the Catholic community when he signed a petition in support of the Catholic-bashing show “Nothing Sacred.” The Catholic League described the show in the following manner: “The goal is to put a positive spin on Catholic priests who prefer Hollywood’s libertine vision of sexuality to the moral teachings of the Church. This propaganda is fodder for dissenting Catholics and anti-Catholic bigots alike.”