Catholics for Equality want a word with Archbishop Timothy Broglio

Catholics for Equality, took action this week as a newly founded Catholic group dedicated to amplifying the voices of Catholics who support fair laws for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. First actions included outreach to Archbishop Timothy Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services in the United States of America and meetings with key senators and Catholic leaders on Capitol Hill, calling for a repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell.

In a letter sent over the weekend, Catholics for Equality, requested a meeting with Archbishop Broglio to address inaccurate and misleading statements made in a June 1, 2010, statement against the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. In the statement Archbishop Broglio argued against the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell by comparing gay servicemembers to alcoholics and makes other misleading and false arguments such as, overturning discrimination in our armed forces would force Catholic Chaplains to perform same sex marriages.

"Archbishop Broglio's arguments are based on outdated concepts not facts," says Acting Executive Director Phil Attey. "No legislation would ever be considered that would force a military chaplain to perform duties, contrary to their faith. Further, the Archbishop's comparisons of gay people to alcoholics shows a profound ignorance of American Psychological Association and American Psychiatric Association standards of which every pastoral counselor should be aware."