Prayers for the Seattle Archdiocese

A reader writes:

I know you’re busy, but could you please join me in praying for my parish, St James Cathedral? The pastor, Fr Michael G. Ryan, has decided not to hold a signature drive to help put Referendum 74 on the ballot this summer, worried about being “hurtful and seriously divisive.” I’m not a fan of politicking at churches, and I can understand how people might be turned off by it on those grounds. However, other parishioners seem happy that the parish is not supporting the drive, but not because it’s politicking, but rather because they agree with the “same-sex marriage” bill. So, I’m disturbed by all of this not because my parish isn’t going to have the signature drive, but because people are cheering the move for the wrong reason.

Fr Ryan has always been vague about where he stands on the Church’s teaching on homosexuality and “same-sex marriage.” I continue to give him the respect he deserves as the pastor of my parish, and the trust that what he’s doing is due to genuine pastoral concern for people’s souls. However, so many of the sheep seem so badly catechized and misinformed that they believe it’s Archbishop Sartain who is wrong in opposing “same-sex marriage” in general. Even more disturbing is the fact that I’ve heard some of them say that it’s the Holy Spirit that is guiding the parish in this direction.

Please pray for us! And please pray for Fr Ryan, who I hope the Lord will not find guilty for leading the sheep astray.

Father, hear our prayer that Catholics in the Seattle Archdiocese uphold the sacrament of marriage through Jesus Christ our Lord. Mother Mary, pray for our Archdiocese.