Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe has called out the anti-gay marriage views of Pope Benedict XVI and John C. Nienstedt, the archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Kluwe, a vocal supporter of marriage equality, was prompted to write an op-ed after reading a 2010 letter from Nienstedt, in which the bishop suggested to a woman pleading for acceptance for her gay child that her support for her child was placing her soul in jeopardy.

“I write to inform you that the teaching of the Catholic Church on homosexuality, as described in paragraphs 2357 and 2358 and 2359 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is rooted in Scripture and based on the Natural Moral Law,” he wrote. “It, therefore, shares in God's revelation to us. Catholics are bound in conscience to believe this teaching. Those who do not cannot consider themselves to be Catholic and ought not to participate in the sacramental life of the Church.”

“Indeed, some might find this is a hard saying but many of Jesus' teachings were likewise received as such. I urge you to reconsider the position that you expressed in your letter. Your eternal salvation may well depend upon a conversation of heart on this topic.”

Kluwe's response was addressed to both Pope Benedict and Bishop Nienstedt.

“Millions of children grow up raised in the Catholic faith. Some of these children will be gay, through no choice of their own, but because of how God created them. What does it say to those children when the head of their religion in this state, a man who claims to 'explain and defend the teaching of the Church because I have been ordained to do so and I believe those teachings with all my heart,' a man acting under the direct auspices of the Pope himself, tells them that they can't be as worthy as everyone else, even though they believe in the teachings of Jesus? What will these children think, as they suffer the barbed insults of their classmates and teachers; I ask you, sir, what will these children think as they are belittled and tormented due to teachings you espouse? What judgment will be passed on your soul when yet another poor child reaches for the knife or the noose to end his or her earthly torment due to your example?”

“Tell me, Archbishop, Pope, what purpose does the Church serve attempting to influence the affairs of a secular state? The federal benefits under law currently denied gay couples certainly fall under the realm of Caesar, don't they? No one is forcing the Catholic Church to marry gay couples if that is not the Church's wish. You can keep the sanctity of Catholic marriage solely between heterosexual couples if you feel that is what’s required (again though, I caution you on the dangers of presumed infallibility). All we are asking is for you to extend the open hand of tolerance instead of the closed fist of fear and hate. As American citizens, we respect the right for everyone to practice whichever religion they so choose, including the right to not practice one at all. Haven’t we learned enough from the Crusades, the Inquisitions, the Talibans of the world? What does it benefit the Church to attempt to influence secular policy in this country, especially when that influence is to deny basic human rights to others? Will you now assume Caesar's throne, grasping the transitory ephemera of worldly power and control, while forsaking the eternal kingdom of Heaven?”