I don't suppose it has occured to Archbishop John Nienstedt that a Priest or lay Catholic could agree with Church teaching in a religious context but oppose this amendment politically? Is he REALLY that limited?

It is clear that the church does not want people to have free speech or free thought for that matter.

YAAAYYY!! The pope rules! Who needs elected officials or "government by the people for the people" when you have such authorities on intimate relationships such as the Catholic Church telling us what we should think or how to vote. GO POPE!!

Who would Jesus legislate discriminate against?

"What is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right". It's great to see our bishop speak up for the Truth - especially when relativism and political correctness continue to fight against something (marriage between a man and a woman) that has been clearly known by billions of people for over 3,000 years. Thanks for your courage, Archbishop Nienstedt!

"no open dissension" .... What a hypocrite! After the 1000's of priests caught in sex scandals through out the country they are the last bunch of religious zealots to be preaching morals. It is amazing that these religious cults even exist anymore. Time to start thinking for your self. IF there were a god it is apparent that it wouldn't discriminate.

I grew up in a primarily Catholic neighborhood all my friends were Catholic. Now many decades later only 1 of these friends still believes in and attends the Catholic church. Religion has served it's purpose and is a vanishing ideology that soon will go the way of the stage coach.

Notice the negative tone of the title of this article: "Priests told not to voice dissent"... Give me a break. A more accurate title would be, "Priests told to follow Catholic teaching". Instead of making the dissenter look like a rebellious hero, this article should make him out for what he is: a Catholic priest who doesn't agree with Catholic teaching and doesn't live out his own vow of obedience to his bishop.

The hierarchy of the Catholic Church has never wanted free speech or free thought. Fortunately, "the people" of the Catholic Church have defied and disobeyed the male hierarchy for centuries. I often wonder why they just don't revolt and get it over with. I don't think that Jesus had this kind of church in mind.

As a catholic I'm pretty upset that THIS is what Niestad is putting his effort into. Religious institutions should teach tolerance and love...not political propaganda and how to alienate others. As a married man if 2 people of the same sex want to get married it has NO effect on my marriage whatsoever. This kind of stuff makes me wonder why I'm still catholic.