Collegeville Continues to Defy Archbishop Nienstedt

Decadent Monk Father Pierson

Edit: Just recently, the Archbishop reasserted firm words about the importance of the defense of marriage act to the defense of the family, the most fragile community in the society from Lifesitenews.

“What we so rarely hear on the discussion on the marriage amendment is that it is meant to be a positive affirmation of both the beauty as well as the importance of this fundamental union for society,” said Nienstedt, “and even more so for the children who are born of that relationship, that is to say the next generation to come.”

“I ask all Minnesotans - all Minnesotans - to join us in voting yes on November 6th.”

He is also enjoining upon his clergy that they not remain silent as teachers of Catholic truth. Lifesitenews also quotes his exact words from last year in an address to his priests which we'll repeat here:

“The gravity of this struggle, and the radical consequences of inaction propels me to place a solemn charge upon you all — on your ordination day, you made a promise to promote and defend all that the Church teaches. I call upon that promise in this effort to defend marriage. There ought not be open dissension on this issue.”

Since last year, there have been a number of frequent defections, including Father Mark Tegeder of St. Francis Cabrini Parish in Minneapolis, as well as Father Bob Pierson of Modernist Collegeville. Father Pierson admited earlier in August that he was asked to lay low by Abbot John Klassen, but he hasn't done so and continues to flaunt the Archbishop's authority and says that he intends on voting "no" with respect to the defense of marriage. He just can't help himself, one of his fellow dissidents writes in response to Archbishop Nienstedt's statement on Father Pierson's facebook the following on August 30th as it appeared with typos and Father Pierson's endorsement:

I respectful disagree with the Archbishop. Even if you believe that marriage is between one man and one woman, this amendment does not belong in the State Constitution. I urge you to VOTE NO. Go to web site for Catholics for Marriage Equity MN (www.c4me.org) and to Minnesotans United for all Families (www.mnunited.org) and see why the marriage amendment is thw wrong thing to do, why it is inconsistent with Catholic Social Teachings, and why Catholics can and should vote no. Listen to Fr. Bob Pierson of St. John's University or Sabrina Brys Mauritz, a former Catholic social justice coordinator explain why they will Vote No. I am a retired Cahtolic Social Justice Coordinator and I will vote NO. It wasn't that long ago that our church defended slavery and was opposed to interracial and interfaith marriages. Voting No is no threat to my marriage or anyone else's marriage, but it may allow gay couples that are in love to make the same commitment we have been able to make. Remember it wasn't Jesus that every once spoke against gays; afterall God created such diversity in the human race. It really is a partisan issue which our Bishops should not have engaged in. They look more like bigots than followers of Jesus as they show no compassion, love or understanding for gays.