State Department Reprimands Cardinal Over gay Remarks Against US Ambasador
State Department Dick Durbin finally had enough of the ongoing feud between U.S. ambassador to the Dominican Republic, James Brewster, and Cardinal Archbishop Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez.
As per Fox News, the two have been on an ongoing "war of words" after Brewster, who is openly gay, was sworn as ambassador to the Dominican Republic. Though the country does not ban nor prohibit homosexuality, it is however keen in following the Catholic values.
Catholic Church leaders were in dismay after finding out that Brewer was appointed as ambassador for the Dominican Republic as they oppose his sexuality. Fox News then added that Obama's administration showed signs of disrespect toward the leaders by appointing an "openly gay man" as the ambassador. The Cardinal has been vocal in showing his dismay against Brewer up to a point that Sen. Durbin need to intervene in the midst of the verbal attacks.
During his interview with Fox News, Durbin defended Brewer's performance as an ambassador stating:
"Ambassador Brewster, like all U.S. ambassadors, advances this human rights policy along with many other aspects of our bilateral relationship. That there may be those opposed to the promotion of human rights in various societies around the world is not surprising, but it does underscore why this work is so important."
In his letter, addressed to the Pope, Sen. Dick Durbin stated that the Cardinal and the rest of the Dominican Church leaders came up with an event called "Black Monday" which is a protest against the gay ambassador. In addition to his letter he added that Cardinal Rodriguez is inconsistent with the values being taught in church in regards to treating homosexuals as per Fox News reports.
"Even before Ambassador Brewster's arrival in Santo Domingo in 2013, Cardinal Rodriguez launched a personal attack against him with public statements quoted in the popular press," Durbin's letter said. "The Cardinal used the hateful slur 'faggot,' which he continues to use to this day. In a recent interview Cardinal Rodriguez again described the ambassador as a 'faggot' and falsely claimed the ambassador was setting out to promote 'faggotry' in the Dominican Republic."
In addition to his letter, which was posted in Dick Durbin's website, Sen. Durbin added that:
"The Church's teachings on gay marriage are well known, but the Church also teaches us to show tolerance for those with different sexual orientations. The intolerant public statements of Cardinal Rodriguez are inconsistent with that clearly stated value. Since your selection as Pope, you have shared a message of compassion, tolerance, and love. I remember distinctly when you spoke to us at the joint session of Congress in September and reminded us of our responsibility to 'defend and preserve the dignity of your fellow citizens in the tireless and demanding pursuit of the common good'. I accept that challenge and I am calling on you to ask nothing less of the hierarchy of the Church."
Fox News Latino then added that the feud between Brewer and Cardinal Rodriguez continually escalates as Brewer would openly make his sexual orientation known. Brewer was once accused of "pushing gay agenda" after waiving the LGBT flag over the U.S. Embassy.
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