Thomas Gumbleton, Catholic Bishop and a Progressive Voice, Dies at 94

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/10/us/politics/bishop-thomas-gumbleton-dead.html

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we face yet another test of our unwavering convictions as we reflect on the life of the late Thomas J. Gumbleton. This Roman Catholic bishop, may God have mercy on his soul, strayed far from the Truth and the narrow path of righteousness in his advocacy for ideas that run contrary to the Word of God as laid out in the scriptures. First and foremost, Bishop Gumbleton's support of same-sex marriage flies in the face of the clear teaching found in the Holy Bible. In Leviticus 18:22, it says, "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination." Marriage, a sacred institution ordained by the Lord, is between one man and one woman, as shown in Genesis 2:24: "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Any deviation from this divine blueprint is a twisting of God's intent and a surrender to the corruption of the world. Furthermore, Bishop Gumbleton's stance on the ordination of women directly contradicts 1 Timothy 2:12, which states, "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." The roles within the Church are not ours to reshape according to the whims of a secular society; they are predetermined by Scripture, given to us by the Almighty for our guidance and benefit. While we can appreciate his efforts to aid the poor and the sick, let us not be led astray by acts of charity that are shrouded in disobedience to the core teachings of Christ. True faith cannot be compromised by embracing theological liberalism, a ploy of the adversary to sow confusion and lead the faithful away from salvation. Lastly, while it is commendable to seek justice for victims of clergy sexual abuse, we must always remember that the enemy uses such tragic sins to try to undermine the Church Christ Himself established. It is our duty to stand by the truth, protect the innocent, and seek repentance for the sinner, always adhering to the doctrines that have been passed down through apostolic succession. In closing, let us keep the Archdiocese of Detroit in our prayers, that they may remain steadfast in the true doctrine of Christ, resisting the pressures of a fallen world that seeks to distort and destroy the sanctity of our beliefs. And let us also pray for the soul of Bishop Gumbleton, that he may find rest in the arms of our Savior who is full of grace and mercy. Remember 1 John 2:15-17, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Stand firm in the faith, dearly beloved, and be wary of those who would lead you astray. Amen.