By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Journalist His Excellency, Timothy Broglio, Archbishop for Military Services, responded to a request from the homosexual advocacy group Catholics for Equality asking him to support the repeal of the military's "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy by firmly stating the Catholic position and telling the group they "cannot be legitimately recognized as Catholic." According to Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, the dust-up began on June 1 when Archbishop Broglio released a statement recounting the Catholic Church's opposition to homosexuality. He called on Catholic chaplains in the armed forces to show respect for the dignity of homosexuals, but he also implored them to "never condone—even silently—homosexual behavior." On September 17, the new dissident group known as Catholics for Equality, wrote a letter to the archbishop that was not only critical of his Catholic position, but "it reeked with smugness and arrogance," Donohue recounts. The letter said: "We are ready to help you and Catholic chaplains in the transition to full acceptance of gays and lesbians in the military and respectfully request a meeting with you…." Donohue exclaims: "So thoughtful of these malcontents to offer their help in transitioning the bishop to oppose the Catholic Church's teachings on sexuality!"  Catholics for Equality is a new group founded by other dissident organizations such as New Ways Ministry and Dignity USA. They also have the cooperation of the national homosexual advocacy group known as the Human Rights Committee (HRC). The group's aim is to “support, educate, and mobilize equality-supporting Catholics to advance LGBT equality at federal, state, and local levels.” The Archbishop responded to their request through the Catholic News Agency this week and insisted that Church teaching on homosexuality is based in love and truth. “It is not the desire of the Archdiocese for Military Services to offend anyone, but there is an obligation to teach the truth in love, even when that truth is displeasing to some or politically incorrect to others. The Holy Father made that quite clear in Caritas in Veritate.” He also explained that according to canon law a group may call itself Catholic if it has been approved by a bishop or recognized by the Holy See in some manner. “It is doubtful that the group in question has such approval. Therefore, it cannot be legitimately recognized as Catholic,” he commented. The Archbishop is right, says Donohue. "While any group can slap the label Catholic on itself, bona fide Catholics are under no obligation to acknowledge it. And by bona fide, I simply mean Catholics not in open rebellion against the teachings of the Magisterium." He added: "Archbishop Broglio deserves the respect and support of all lay Catholics. His courage and erudition make all Catholics proud." © All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com