(Image source: Gawker)


BY RICHARD LAYCOCK

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

The oldest Catholic newspaper in the U.S. has caused quite a stir with an article suggesting--  science proves homosexuality was created by the devil.

It appeared in a column in the Boston Pilot -- the official newspaper for the Archdiocese of Boston. The Huffington Post has the exact wording of the column -- which has been pulled down from the Boston Pilot’s website.

“The scientific evidence of how same-sex attraction most likely may be created provides a credible basis for a spiritual explanation that indicts the devil.”

The column was written by Daniel Avila-- an advisor for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. He eventually issued an apology for the piece-- and so did the Pilot.

“The Pilot also wishes to apologize for having failed to recognize the theological error in the column before publication. The Pilot has removed the column ... from its Website.”

This is not the first controversial comment Avila has made on the topic of gay marriage. Earlier this year-- the NC Register quoted Avila as saying...

“It’s like a nuclear bomb exploding in every home, and that explosion will reshape society itself. I don’t think we can even describe the frontiers of change that confront us.”

But a writer for Gawker says this latest comment is unambiguous -- and offers this sarcastic interpretation.

“To be clear: Daniel Avila loves the gays, hates the gayness. Although on the low, Daniel Avila hates the gays, and he will be literally ... damned if you devilish sodomites carry out one of your abominable marriage ceremonies anywhere near him. Which should not be interpreted as ‘discrimination.’”

According to Truth Wins Out, Avila has resigned as an advisor for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops amid the controversy.