tooth

Gay-marriage supporter denied confirmation

Published 11:28am Friday, November 16, 2012
Email This Post Email This Post Comments

BARNESVILLE — A teenager who posted his support for same-sex marriage online has been denied a Catholic rite of passage at his northwestern Minnesota church, his family said.

Shana Cihak said her 17-year-old son, Lennon, wasn’t allowed to be confirmed at Assumption Church in Barnesville last month after posting a Facebook picture of himself with a political sign he altered to oppose the marriage amendment on Minnesota’s ballot. Voters on Nov. 6 rejected the constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.

Assumption Rev. Gary LaMoine told The Associated Press Thursday that the teen was not denied confirmation but declined to explain, calling it an “internal and pastoral” matter.

“Some people chose to run out into the public and put it out in the media,” LaMoine told the AP, adding that he was consulting with the Catholic Diocese of Crookston about the issue.

Shana Cihak said was called into a private conversation with the priest after the Facebook photo was posted and was told her son wouldn’t be allowed to complete confirmation. Lennon has gone to church every week and volunteered around the community in preparation for his confirmation this year, Shana Cihak said.

Email This Post Email This Post Comments

Sign in to Comment | Need help commenting? Click here

  • http://www.facebook.com/mike.satterwhite.397 Mike Satterwhite

    I believe with the recent voter-approved same-sex marriage laws, comes
    an obligation for the federal government to recognize those unions as
    legitimate and legally binding contracts.

    Please sign and promote the White House petition below. We need 25,000
    signatures by December 7th for this to be moved to the President’s desk.
    Then he’ll have to publicly respond to the petition, and that will
    drive a move for congressional action.

    Also, I encourage Republicans who support same-sex marriage and civil
    unions to be vocal about your support, especially to your party leaders
    and lawmakers. I know many good, decent Republicans, but your party is
    getting a bad rap due to the stances of your high-profile members.

    One thing not mentioned on the petition below is that federal
    recognition would allow soldiers to provide health benefits to their
    spouses and children of their spouses, not to mention survivor benefits.
    And, even if your company offers same-sex benefits, federal recognition
    would allow gay employees to take those benefits on their partner
    pre-tax, just like their straight coworkers can for their spouses.

    https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/repeal-defense-marriage-act-doma/SyQNZXNM

    Please remember to click on the buttons below the petition also, to promote on your twitter and facebook pages.

    Report comment

  • Guest

    Stanley you may want to sue the church if something happened to you to promote such hate. As far as the confirmation the young man has the right to his opinion, outside of the church. He has no right to expect the church to change their views to accommodate him. He needs to find a church that has views the same as him.

    Report comment

Editor's Picks