Commentary: Bishop Sample prevents Bishop Gumbleton from appearing in his diocese

This is a sad, but encouraging story. It is certainly important.

It is sad because a young orthodox bishop had to tell an older, heterodox bishop to stay out of his diocese.

It is encouraging because the young orthodox bishop did this for all of the right reasons, in exactly the appropriate way.

Here is the statement of Bishop Sample of Marquette MI on the unwelcome attempted activities of Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, retired auxiliary of Detroit, in his diocese.

I am exerpting only a part of Bishop Sample's message, so I urge you to read all of it for context (I will bold the important parts):

There is a common courtesy usually observed between bishops whereby when one bishop wishes to enter into another bishop’s diocese to minister or make a public speech or appearance, he informs the local bishop ahead of time and seeks his approval. Only on October 9 did I receive any communication from Bishop Gumbleton, after this situation had already become public.

As the Bishop of the Diocese of Marquette, I am the chief shepherd and teacher of the Catholic faithful of the Upper Peninsula entrusted to my pastoral care. As such I am charged with the grave responsibility to keep clearly before my people the teachings of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals. Given Bishop Gumbleton’s very public position on certain important matters of Catholic teaching, specifically with regard to homosexuality and the ordination of women to the priesthood, it was my judgment that his presence in Marquette would not be helpful to me in fulfilling my responsibility.

I realize that these were not the topics upon which Bishop Gumbleton was planning to speak. However, I was concerned about his well-known and public stature and position on these issues and my inability to keep these matters from coming up in discussion. In order that no one becomes confused, everyone under my pastoral care must receive clear teaching on these important doctrines.

I offer my prayers for Bishop Gumbleton and for all those who have been negatively affected by this unfortunate situation.”

And that's all there is to it. Bishop Sample is the head of his diocese, and when it comes to matters of public scandal - as he judged it would become if he allowed Bishop Gumbleton a pulpit in his diocese - there's nothing else to be said.

Of course, the organization which invited Gumbleton is saying plenty to the press - let's take a look:

Members of the Citizens for Peace and Social Justice group said they are appalled, sad and frustrated over a decision by Bishop Alexander Sample of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette to deny a Detroit bishop permission to speak publicly in Marquette this weekend.

"We're really confused about it," said Darlene Dreisbach, a member of the Marquette peace organization. "Doesn't that seem like the Middle Ages?"

"Yesterday afternoon [Bishop Gumbleton] called us and said he received a letter from Bishop Sample to not speak publicly," Dreisbach said. "He was not told why." {Given Bishop Sample's statement above, it seems very clear that he provided Bishop Gumbleton with a very definite reason why.}

"I don't know how one bishop can deny civil rights," Dreisbach said, adding that she now has to cancel every event planned for Gumbleton's visit. {Unfortunately, this individual confuses civil rights with the right of a bishop to prevent confusion being spread about what the Church teaches in his own diocese by a fellow bishop.}

Let's be clear about the timeline. Sample was evidently aware of Gumbleton's invitation, and had sent him notice that he was not allowed in the diocese. Gumbleton did not give Sample the curtesy of a response until the same day as the story was in the local news.

You know who else is defending Gumbleton? Gay bloggers, including one who used to work for Pax Christi USA while Gumbleton was heavily associated with it, who writes:

Bishop Sample is a damn fool -- running a Catholic gestapo in charge of policing who comes in and out of his diocese lest folks hear a thing or two about equal rights.

Sadly, this isn't the first time Bishop Gumbleton has been told to keep out from a Catholic diocese. Tucson, Arizona's Bishop, Gerald Kicanas, also wouldn't allow Bishop Gumbleton to travel to his diocese to talk about peace and justice issues.

Apparently, censorship is more important to the Catholic Church than championing the cause of peace.

I'm waiting for the editors of the National Catholic Reporter to rush to Bishop Gumbleton's aid as well. After all, NCR gives a weekly pulpit to Bishop Gumbleton in their newspaper.

Oh that's right, the NCR editors are too busy suggesting that the bishops should re-write their upcomming pastoral letter on marriage so that they describe "cohabition" in a "more positive light."

Maybe we can get National Catholic Reporter editions out of the diocese of Marquette too while we are at it?

Ph/T: Jeff Miller.