Dec. 16--U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin appealed to Pope Francis on Tuesday to stop a Roman Catholic cardinal's derogatory remarks about the openly gay U.S. ambassador to the Dominican Republic.
In a letter drafted Tuesday, the Illinois Democrat called on Francis to rein in Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo, who reportedly helped organize a protest against U.S. Ambassador James "Wally" Brewster.
"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," Durbin wrote. "The intolerant public statements of Cardinal Rodriguez are inconsistent with that clearly stated value."
Brewster, whom Durbin describes as a personal friend, was a senior managing partner for SB Global, a Chicago-based brand strategy and consumer dynamics consulting firm. He also was a national LGBT co-chair for the Democratic National Committee and on the board of the Human Rights Campaign Fund. He married his longtime partner, Bob Satawake, on the same day he was sworn in as an ambassador in 2013.
But even before Brewster's arrival in Santo Domingo, Rodriguez, 79, objected to his appointment, calling him a derogatory term for gays. The cardinal also described the ambassador as a "wife" who "should stick to housework," according to Durbin's letter.
"Despite these hateful words and personal attacks, Ambassador Brewster has worked to quiet the conflict between Church leaders and himself," Durbin wrote. "His patience and professionalism in light of these mean-spirited attacks by the Cardinal demonstrate his personal commitment to his responsibility of representing the United States of America."
In his letter, Durbin reminded the pope that he called on a joint meeting of Congress in September to "defend and preserve the dignity of your fellow citizens in the tireless and demanding pursuit of the common good."
"I accept that challenge," Durbin wrote, "and I am calling on you to ask nothing less of the hierarchy of the church."
mbrachear@tribpub.com
