B NDINGS Vol. 35, No. 4 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Summer 2016 Pope: Christians must apologize to gay people for marginalizing them

By Joshua McElwee The pope was responding to a ques- years ago was a "closed Catholic culture," ordaining women as deacons in the Catho- National Catholic Reporter tion about remarks German Cardinal giving the example of how it was looked lic church, whether the pope might consid- June 26, 2016 Reinhard Marx made last week that the down upon to even enter the home of a er removing the excommunication of Catholic church should apologize to the couple who had been married civilly after Protestant reformation leader Martin Lu- ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT gay community for marginalizing them. one of the partners had previously di- ther, and his decision to continue to label TO ROME—The Catholic church and "I will repeat the same thing I said on vorced. the World War I-era killings of 1.5 Arme- other Christian communities must apolo- the first trip," Francis said today, referenc- "The culture has changed -- and thank nians as a genocide.  gize to gay people and to many groups ing the press conference he held on a re- God!" the pope exclaimed. "Christians; they have let down or offended through- turn flight from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in we must say we are sorry many times; not out history, Pope Francis has said. 2013. "I will also repeat what the Cate- only on this." In a press confer- chism of the Catholic "This is the life of ence Sunday on the Church says: that [gay the church," said the flight back to Rome af- The culture has people] should not be pontiff. "We are all ter his weekend trip to discriminated against, saints because we all Armenia, the pontiff changed—and thank that they have to be have the Holy Spirit said bluntly: "The respected, pastorally inside us. But we are church must say it's sor- God! accompanied." also all sinners." ry for not having com- "The matter is a per- The pope's words ported itself well many —Pope Francis son that has that con- about apologizing to times, many times." dition [and] that has those the church has "I believe that the good will because they let down were part of church not only must say it's sorry ... to search for God," said the pontiff. a nearly hour-long this person that is gay that it has offend- "Who are we to judge them?" he press conference that ed," said the pope. "But it must say it's asked, reframing his famous phrase from focused on a wide sorry to the poor, also, to mistreated wom- 2013 into the plural. "We must accompa- array of issues. en, to children forced to work." ny well -- what the Catechism says. The Topics included: Pope Francis answers questions from journalists aboard "When I say the church: Christians," Catechism is clear." Francis' decision to his flight from Armenia, to Rome June 26. Francis clarified. "The church is holy. We Francis also said that the culture in create a commission to are the sinners." which he grew up in Argentina many study the possibility of A Call for a Mass for LGBT New Ways Ministry Responds to People at the Vatican Pope Francis’ Apology Call

Bondings 2.0 sexually engaged homosexual relation- By Benjamin Brenkert that God delights in all people—straight, NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com ships. Bondings 2.0 gay, lesbian, trans, bisexual, and all who June 26, 2016 We hope and pray that the pope and NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com don’t fit a label—and that God made us other church leaders issue formal state- July 17, 2016 human, embodied beings. Pope Francis The following is a statement of Fran- ments of apology, and, more importantly, As a Christian gay person, and for- could do this by calling for a reform of cis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry’s offer gestures of reconciliation for LGBT mer candidate for the priesthood in the the catechism of the church. Executive Director, released on June 26, people. In the aftermath of the mass Roman Catholic Church, I propose that in At a mass for gays, the Pope could 2016, in response to Pope Francis’ call shooting in Orlando, only a handful of response to the recent LGBT mass shoot- finally lead the church out of people’s for the Church to apologize to groups it Catholic bishops even acknowledge that ing in Orlando, Pope Francis celebrate a bedrooms, beyond talk about sex, and to has harmed. there was an LGBT dimension to the in- Mass for LGBT people in St. Peter’s Ba- human relationships and the whole life of cident. A few, like Bishop Robert Lynch, silica and Square in Vatican City. every person. He could say that LGBT No pope has said more welcoming not only expressed sympathy for the The Pope’s effusive, rhetorical words to LGBT people than Pope Fran- LGBT victims, but also acknowledged question, “Who am I to judge?” is a cis’ recommendation today that the that the Church’s teaching and language promising question, but it needs Church–indeed all Christians–should too often fostered anti-LGBT senti- actions to back it up. While a non- apologize for the harm religious tradi- ments. Pope Francis’ statement shows judgmental tone sounds good, un- tions have caused to LGBT people. The support for Bishop Lynch’s approach. less clear and tangible follow-up pope’s statement was simple, yet power- Most welcome, too, was the fact that happens, it doesn’t mean much.His ful, and it fell from his lips so easily. The his call for apologies to gay people, also call for an apology to gay people simplicity of his language will provide an included a call to apologize to others that shows that he is willing to ask their immense blessing of healing and recon- the Church has harmed: women, the poor, forgiveness. Jesuit Fr. James Mar- ciliation to LGBT people and Catholics the divorced, and children forced to work. tin told CNN, “No group feels more who support them, who have been wait- Pope Francis’ comments did not marginalized in the church today ing decades to hear such a simple, honest come out of a vacuum, but out of the dec- than LGBT people.” Clearly, active statement from the Vatican. ades of work that Catholics have been forgiveness and reconciliation are This step by Pope Francis shows that doing to remind Church leaders that the needed. What better way to cele- Church leaders can and should admit Church was too often complicit in the brate that than to participate in the when they have been wrong, especially social prejudice and physical harm that Eucharist together? when their wrongs cause people tremen- LGBT people experience. The prayers, What the secular and religious world people are not sinners and that their rela- tionships of love are not sinful. Such is dous and unnecessary harm. His message witness, work, and ministry of so many needs is an unequivocal demonstration of signals a major change in attitude for an dedicated Catholics has finally risen to prophetic support for LGBT people, espe- already the cornerstone of a papacy that proclaims the Joy of the Gospel. institution that has a terrible history of the top of the hierarchy and is starting to cially youth. A Mass for LGBT people all ever admitting that it has done something be heard and enacted. over the world is a good first step to let The Pope should allow all LGBT people to receive the Holy Eucharist at wrong. Admitting an error is healing not For some LGBT people who have gays know that they are accepted for who just for the harmed people to whom an been so wounded and bruised by Catholic they are, and that they are loved uncondi- such a Mass, creating an important sym- bolic gesture for all pastors and bishops apology is issued, but to the apologizer, leaders’ negative messages, the pope’s tionally. too. Great healing can come from this statement may seem like too little, too A public Mass is the type of action who seek to limit reception of commun- ion. He must allow them back into the statement not just for LGBT people, but late. While indeed we have waited a long the LGBT community thirsts for. They also for Church leaders who will follow time for an opening like this, I think it is want to know you truly offer presence, Catholic family. If the church is truly maternal, it will open her arms in wel- the Pope’s example. important to rejoice at this step forward. inclusion and acceptance. A Mass would Indeed, some Catholic leaders have We must work and pray to make sure that allow a group that has been so excluded come. It is sad to point out that the world is already acknowledged the pain that the the next steps take place much quick- to participate in an action that is never Church has caused sexual and gender er. Among those next steps are more conditional or situational: God loved the still not safe for LGBT people. The recent massacre of gays in Orlando reminds us minorities. When the person in charge dialogue between Church leaders and world so he sent His Son to save it. sets the tone for such apologies, more LGBT people. Equally needed is At the Mass, Pope Francis could in- that, despite the gains in marriage equali- ty and the overturning of other discrimi- leaders and people will be moved to fol- a serious re-evaluation of the hierarchy’s vite gay priests to come out of the shad- low suit. disapproval of committed sexual relation- ows of their closets, allowing them to be natory laws, the current wave of LGBT equality is still met with resistance in the In calling for an apology, Pope Fran- ships of lesbian, bisexual, and gay cou- completely and utterly honest about who cis said that he affirmed the teaching of ples, as well as re-thinking the denigrat- they are. He could call parents of LGBT secular world and with destructive mes- sages in the religious world. the Catechism of the Catholic Church ing language Church leaders often use to youth not to abandon their children. He about gay and lesbian people, but, signifi- describe transgender identities. could remind the rest of the world that I call out to you, Pope Francis, please invite LGBT people throughout the world cantly, he emphasized the social justice New Ways Ministry thanks Pope pastoral outreach to the LGBT communi- teaching about condemning prejudice and Francis for his example of Christian hu- ty is necessary. He could decry govern- to make a pilgrimage to Rome in order to celebrate Eucharist with you. We will discrimination against them. Few church mility, and we encourage him to continue mental policies which discriminate leaders ever think of emphasizing the to pave the way for even greater changes against or criminalize LGBT people. respond overwhelmingly, and this cele- bration will be a blessing for all.  teaching against harming LGBT people, for LGBT people and the Catholic The Pope could remind the world ignoring it to amplify the teaching against Church.  Page 2 BONDINGS Vol. 35, No. 4 B NDINGS We need a victory of speech Vol. 35, No. 4 Summer 2016 over the violence of silence By Sister Jeannine Gramick, SL during the 2008-2014 apostolic visitation of women's or- Francis DeBernardo, Editor National Catholic Reporter ders. Four of those 15 have been identified. Three have July 11, 2016 spoken publicly about the Vatican's latest summons: the Board of Directors Loretto sisters, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Vir- Mary Byers "I have been thinking about you a lot lately … first gin Mary and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Jeannine Gramick, SL, Chair with the news about the Loretto sisters being called to These three communities represent for me a victory Ryan Sattler Rome. And then, of course, since the shootings in Orlan- of speech over silence. Church investigations of individu- do. … At morning prayer at home we prayed for the als or groups have usually been shrouded in secrecy, LGBT people and their fam- which has had disastrous Board of Advisors ilies and for a strengthening consequences for the life of Cornelius Hubbuch, CFX of the message of nonvio- the church. Secrecy instills Anna Koop, SL lence." fear and enables authorities Claire Pluecker I've received many to exercise control of mind Cristina Traina phone and email messages or action. When significant like this one lately. You see, matters are kept secret from Staff I'm a Sister of Loretto and the faithful, church leaders Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director I've been involved in minis- cannot be held accountable Matthew Myers, Associate Director try on behalf of lesbian, gay, for their actions, nor can the Robert Shine, Social Media Coordinator bisexual and transgender faithful engage in informed Glen Bradley, Staff Associate Catholics for 45 years. conversations about im- On June 12 came the portant issues. Co-Founders shocking news that the most Of course, confidentiality Sr. Jeannine Gramick, SL lethal mass shooting in may be needed for certain Rev. Robert Nugent, SDS modern U.S. history had considerations, but confi- occurred inside Pulse, a gay dentiality is more respected nightclub in Orlando, Fla. -- if used sparingly. To the Bondings is a seasonal publication designed 50 people dead, including Sr. Jeannine Gramick, SL average Catholic, what to keep our subscribers informed of issues the gunman, and 53 injured. church leaders choose to that pertain to LGBT people This was by no means the first such attack. More than keep confidential seems arbitrary. Perhaps the church and the Catholic Church. 40 years ago, an arson fire at a gay club in New Orleans needs a Freedom of Information Act? snuffed out the lives of 32 LGBT people. Every day, Silence can destroy any family, not only a family Founded in 1977, New Ways Ministry LGBT people around the world are at risk because of ver- with LGBT persons. It can destroy a family that is not is an educational and bridge-building bal threats, intimidation and bullying, and even imprison- accepted at a church because of a divorced parent, or is ministry of reconciliation between the Cath- ment, torture and death. ignored by neighbors because of a special needs child, or olic LGBT community Often we don't even recognize the homophobia and cannot talk about some dysfunction within it. Silence can and the institutional structures transphobia in unacceptable jokes or casual comments. even destroy the spiritual family we call church. in the Roman Catholic Church. But subconscious, intolerant attitudes toward LGBT peo- To the three religious communities we know of, the ple fuel the kind of bizarre violence that happened in Or- Vatican congregation has expressed concern about public New Ways Ministry seeks to eradicate lando.One kind of violence not often recognized is the dissent from church teaching. Apparently, the congrega- violence of silence. After the Orlando massacre, some in tion prefers that individuals and groups keep silent if they prevalent myths and stereotypes our church were guilty of this kind of violence. Headlines dissent. about homosexuality and gender identity the world over noted that the shooting took place in a gay Rather than be alarmed, the congregation should view and supports civil rights for LGBT persons club, but statements released by the Vatican press office, accusations of dissent as possible signs of vitality. How in society. the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Orlando's has our church been able to change over the centuries, if bishop conspicuously passed over references that the peo- not by dissent? Modifications in the church's position on ple targeted were lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. slavery, usury, and salvation outside the church are the New Ways Ministry Some bishops issued no statement at all. usual examples of doctrinal change all affected by public 4012 29th Street Silence is violence when, as in this instance, it denies dissent. Mount Rainier, Maryland 20712 the existence of a whole category of people, people who Public dissent can stimulate in people the courage to (301) 277-5674 have been targeted with physical violence because of who speak honestly about their experiences. In the search for [email protected] they are. If I don't acknowledge your existence, I do not truth, there will be much diversity of opinion, many ambi- NewWaysMinistry.org need to recognize your rights; I do not see that you need guities and even confusion. Only the test of time will NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com added protections. Furthermore, I am unable to know you show what is authentic. or to relate to you in a meaningful way. Pope Francis seems to encourage dissenting views. "Silence=Death," the slogan of AIDS activists in the He tells youth to "make a mess" and exhorted the bishops 1980s, not only questioned President Ronald Reagan's at the Synod on the Family to speak their minds, even if silence about the disease, it also boldly declared that, as a they disagreed with him. I believe that Francis is depend- matter of survival, silence about the repression of LGBT ing upon the people of God to hasten needed reforms in TO SUBSCRIBE people must end. The violence of silence kills. our church, but these reforms depend upon free speech I thought again about the email from my friend who and access to information from church sources. COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORM wrote to me also because the Sisters of Loretto were If our church were a democracy and this a campaign called to the Vatican. Fifteen U.S. communities of women year, my yard signs and buttons would read, "Down with religious have been contacted by the Vatican's congrega- the violence of silence and up with a victory for speech!" Enclosed is: tion for religious life to continue conversations begun 

_____ $25.00 in the US or Canada New Ways Ministry’s Eighth National Symposium _____ $35.00 outside US or Canada Justice and Mercy Shall Kiss: _____ I wish to receive Bondings, but cannot donate at this time. LGBT Catholics in the Age of Pope Francis April 28-30, 2017 Name ______Chicago, Illinois Address ______Plenary Speakers: City ______

LISA FULLAM, Associate Professor, Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley State ______LESLIE GRIFFIN, Professor of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas BRYAN MASSINGALE, Professor of Theological and Social Ethics, Fordham University DayPhone ______FRANK MUGISHA, Executive Director, Sexual Minorities Uganda Night Phone ______Workshop sessions will examine such issues as: transgender and intersex identity, LGBT church work- Cell Phone ______ers, lesbian/gay members in religious life and the clergy, LGBT youth, parish outreach programs, and family issues.

Please make check payable to “New Ways Pre-Symposium Retreat on Spirituality & Social Justice led by Ministry”. Outside the US, please use only checks drawn on a US bank in US dollars or Sister Simone Campbell, Executive Director, NETWORK

go to www.newwaysministry.org. For more information, contact: Mail to: New Ways Ministry New Ways Ministry 4012 29th Street 4012 29th Street Mount Rainier, Maryland 20712 Mount Rainier, MD 20712 Phone: 301-277-5674 Email: [email protected]

Summer 2016 BONDINGS Page 3 Stock-taking times: Religion’s role in Orlando massacre By Russell Pollitt, SJ The Catechism of the Catholic Church senseless killing in Florida, believers can- gay priests in 2013, said: “I am glad that The Daily Maverick (which is the tradition I am familiar with not let this pass. We need to interrogate we are talking about ‘homosexual people’ Benmore, South Africa but suspect that other traditions are not the impact of the words we use and the because before all else comes the individu- June 14, 2016 dissimilar) says “tradition has always de- positions we take. Religious language, and al person, in his wholeness and dignity. clared that homosexual acts are intrinsical- the mindset it forms, must take stock of its And people should not be defined only by Gay-bashing has often found its justi- ly disordered.” It refers to homosexuality contribution to forming attitudes that con- their sexual tendencies: let us not forget fication in religious traditions. It’s an un- as an inclination which is “objectively tribute to a cocktail that breeds such evil that God loves all his creatures and we are fortunate pitfall that many believers fall disordered.” Most people stop reading acts. This type of evil can never be associ- destined to receive his infinite love.” into: the propensity to see themselves as there but it does go on to say that gay peo- ated with God. While we should ensure that religion the ultimate guardians of morality and in ple “must be accepted with respect, is not used by extremists to justify murder, so doing demonise anyone that is “other” – compassion, and sensitivity. Every we have to acknowledge that religious or does not fit their narrow (often flawed) sign of unjust discrimination in their perceptions and attitudes need to be chal- understanding, and categories. This has regard should be avoided.” lenged when they fail to position them- been further compounded by the language It is not uncommon for gay selves within the authentic vision of a par- that is used in religious traditions. Naively, people to feel unwanted and not ticular religious tradition. Extremists are I was shocked to read some of the reac- welcome in Christian communities. not only “out there,” they are within our tions – by so-called believers – in the af- Sometimes their families feel too religious communities. Just last week the termath of the horrific killings at Pulse. embarrassed to go to church, or in pope warned that those within the Church Fr. Edward L Beck, writing in worst case scenarios, are shunned who told us “it’s this or nothing” are here- Cruxnow.com, describes how he spoke out because of their gay family member. tics. against what had happened on Sunday Gay people and their families have When Christians fail to condemn the morning as news broke across the world of been treated as second-class citi- killing of gay people at Pulse, they fail to the killings in his Sunday sermon. One zens. Many gay people were never position themselves in the authentic tradi- congregant left his church, agreeing with physically driven away from a tion. Bad religion, as a colleague remarked him. This was a “terrible tragedy.” How- church – the language alone was A memorial vigil for the Orlando shooting on social media, is an assault rifle. ever, she went on to say, “If they hadn’t enough. victims. The US government has failed to deal been in a place like that at two in the This kind of language came un- with the issue of gun control despite multi- morning, they would still be alive.” I read der scrutiny at the Synod on the Family, Often the Bible is used to justify a ple shootings in recent years. Equally so, a the line twice to make sure I had compre- called by Pope Francis, in 2014. A number range of attitudes and actions. But there is number of religious traditions have failed hended it correctly. Beck goes on to say of bishops called for a language that is an important fact that is overlooked or to deal with language and attitudes that that he was “dumbfounded, literally more sensitive but, sadly, many other bish- ignored: The difference between what is in perpetuate homophobia. That’s a sin too. speechless.” ops dug their heels in and would not budge the Bible and what the Bible teaches. What If the individual person and their dig- Beck continues: “In fairness, I don’t on this issue. Many of the American bish- the Bible teaches is not always reducible nity comes first, as Pope Francis has reiter- believe she was saying that the scores ops, and some Africans, were the most to what is in the Bible. ated a number of times, that means it killed and injured deserved it, or were di- vociferous on this subject. To understand this, we need to look at comes first for everyone, migrants, blacks, rectly responsible for their fate, but the Some of the bishops argued that it was the Bible as a whole and look at its trajec- whites, gays, straights. There are no ex- implication was almost as chilling: If those precisely this kind of language that alienat- tories and common themes. We need to ceptions. in the Pulse nightclub hadn’t been socialis- ed gay people and their families. Some study the text in its totality and not just In the days ahead there will be vigor- ing in a gay – and therefore, in her view, alluded to the fact that this language did read, blindly, what is in the Bible. We ous debates in the political arena about immoral – environment in the middle of not point towards a loving God who wel- should never isolate one section of the guns and how freely available they are in the night, their lives would have been comes all, no matter who they are. text. We must also bear in mind that the the US. It’s the same story every time one spared.” Writing on family life in his post- texts we read in the Bible were written in of these tragedies unfolds. Beck explains that, in the face of the Synod Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Lae- certain circumstances, addressing certain But there is another place where ur- astonishing reaction his congregant dis- titia, the Pope clearly says that “every sign issues, and within a certain cultural milieu. gent discussion is needed: in the faith played, he went to social media to try to of unjust discrimination” towards gay peo- The overarching theme of the Bible, community. I hope that the Christian com- process this. Most empathised with dismay ple must be avoided. He goes on to say, without doubt, is the love of neighbour and munity will have the courage to face up to but there were some responses, he writes, “particularly any form of aggression and care of the poor. Many accounts in the its part in shaping perceptions, attitudes which surprised him. “One person tweet- violence.” Some people, especially LGBT Bible explain what kind of disaster follows and actions that have contributed to the ed: ‘Saying LGBT relationships are Catholics, were disappointed that Francis when these are not fulfilled. Love of persecution and suffering of gay people by ‘intrinsically disordered’ and ‘morally was not stronger on the issue. neighbour and care of the poor, by their perpetuating homophobia. We need to call evil’ incites hatred worldwide not love… The kind of language that is used in consistent repetition in both the Old and it what it is: wrong. Catholic teaching on LGBT is part of the official texts of the Church powerfully New Testaments, overwrite all other When religion, or anything for that problem. It fuels hatred and bigotry world- shapes perceptions, attitudes and actions. themes. This overwriting theme should be matter, is distorted and used by extremists wide. It kills LGBT hearts.’” After all, isn’t that what religious teaching the lens that informs the perceptions, atti- for their own ends, it needs to be con- It’s an uncomfortable question but one strives to do – shape perceptions, attitudes tudes and actions of believers. demned. When it is distorted and used by that believers have to ask: What role has and actions – hopefully for the good? Pope Francis seems to get this. Speak- some believers for their own ends, it needs religion played (across the board) in fuel- While religion and religious language ing to an Italian journalist, who was ques- to be condemned, even more urgently.  ling homophobia? I suspect the answer alone cannot be held responsible for or tioning him on his famous “Who I am to will be equally uncomfortable. used as the sole motivating factor for this judge?” remark when he was asked about After Orlando, Archbishop Pledges to LGBT People: “I Stand With You”

By Bob Shine and Lesbian Outreach ministry. Cupich tempt, then hatred, which can ultimately Meanwhile, in his initial response to Bondings 2.0 said in the letter, posted on Twitter by lead to violence. Those women and men the incident, Bishop John Noonan of Or- NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com journalist Michael O’Loughlin: who were mowed down early yesterday lando did not acknowledge the gay and June 14, 2016 “For you here today and throughout morning were all made in the image and lesbian dimension of the attack. Prepara- the whole lesbian and gay community, likeness of God. We teach that. We should tions for his diocese’s Vigil to Dry Tears, Catholic leaders were initially silent who are particularly touched by the hei- believe that. We must stand for that. With- which took place last night, had no evi- about the anti-LGBT prejudices undergird- nous crimes committed in Orlando, moti- out yet knowing who perpetrated the dence that the victims were members of ing the mass shooting at Pulse Nightclub vated by hate, driven perhaps by mental PULSE mass murders, when I saw the the LGBT community. in Orlando, which has left at least 50 peo- instability and certainly empowered by a Imam come forward at a press conference Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louis- ple dead and more wounded. Four bishops culture of violence, know this: the Archdi- yesterday morning, I knew that somewhere ville, president of the United States Con- have since released statements acknowl- ocese of Chicago stands with you. I stand in the story there would be a search to find ference of Catholic Bishops, also ignored edging the prejudice behind these attacks. with you. religious roots. While deranged people do victims’ identities about which David Gib- Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego “Let our shared grief and our common senseless things, all of us observe, judge son noted in the National Catholic Report- released a statement, saying the murders faith in Jesus, who called the persecuted and act from some kind of religious back- er: were “rooted in a counterfeit notion of blessed, unite us so that hatred and toler- ground. Singling out people for victimiza- “That statement contrasted with religious faith and magnified by our gun ance are not allowed to flourish. . .”Bishop tion because of their religion, their sexual Kurtz’s statement a year ago after the culture.” He continued: Robert Lynch of St. Petersburg responded orientation, their nationality must be offen- shooting massacre in a black church in “The shootings in Orlando are a on his blog, acknowledging forthrightly sive to God’s ears. It has to stop also.” Charleston, S.C. Speaking two days after wound to our entire society, and this time that Pulse was a nightclub for “Gay, Lesbi- Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh the attack on Mother Emanuel by a white the LGBT community has been specifical- an, Transgender” patrons. He continued: released a statement which said, in part: supremacist, Kurtz repeatedly condemned ly targeted and victimized. . . “[S]adly it is religion, including our “Our Muslim neighbors are grieving the ‘racism and the violence so visible “We pray for the many victims in Or- own, which targets, mostly verbally, and over this tragedy as much as our gay and today’ and called for efforts to combat lando who were targeted for death simply also often breeds contempt for gays, lesbi- lesbian neighbors. We are all God’s chil- both, in personal change and through pub- because of their sexual orientation, and we ans and transgender people. Attacks today dren. May we love, honor and respect one lic policies.” grieve with their loving families and on LGBT men and women often plant the another as such.” Michael Sean Winters, in a column in friends. This tragedy is a call for us as seed of con- the National Catholic Reporter, Catholics to combat ever wrote about Kurtz’s and other bish- more vigorously the anti-gay ops’ failure to identify this incident prejudice which exists in our as having an anti-LGBT dimension: Catholic community and in “If you are so [out of touch] that you our country.” do not realize that the refusal to refer Chicago’s Archbishop to people as they refer to themselves Blase Cupich had recog- is offensive, especially when that nized gay and lesbian vic- same group of people has just been tims in his initial statement, the object of a violent and murder- and followed up with a letter ous attack, stop pretending to any read at a regularly-scheduled claim to moral leadership in the so- Sunday evening Mass host- ciety and just go away.”  ed by the Archdiocesan Gay Bishop Robert McElroy Archbishop Blase Cupich Bishop Robert Lynch Bishop David Zubik Page 4 BONDINGS Vol. 35, No. 4 Gay, Catholic, and Proud: A Young Person’s Perspective

By Matt Hawley required work. revealing you’re a Scientologist at a din- church — even while I go to mass every The Huffington Post My gayness didn’t require work. It ner party while everyone backs away weekend and most Catholics who get mar- June 8, 2016 required being born. slowly hoping it’s not contagious. ried in churches are the Christmas-Easter But then I thought again. I used to think it was crazy too, but types. It’s that time of year again. The be- I grew up in a traditional, Irish- the more I went to it, the more peace I felt I would like to think the Catholic ginning of summer marks the time of year Catholic family in Boston. My mom is the and the more I felt like I was having a Church will one day change its mind, but when every major city hosts its LGBT principal of a Catholic school. My grand- direct conversation with God in that quiet. it’s almost irrelevant because the Catholic Pride Parade. The cities will explode in a parents traveled over directly from Ire- I went to adoration when I decided to Church has been wrong about a great Molotov cocktail explosion of pink con- land. I’ve only ever missed two Sunday embark on Operation: Find a Man. I many things. I grew up in a time when fetti, diva music, and piñatas filled with masses since I was eight. That’s the level feared God would be angry, but instead I Boston was littered with sexual abuse vic- condoms. Or we’re talking. distinctly felt God encouraging me. tim stories daily. I know the Catholic so I’ve heard. A few years ago, when I The next day I Church would rather people in Africa die For the first decided to finally come out as got a call from of AIDS than give them contraception. I time I will be gay — though my attendance “When I was younger, my mom at know the Church is still incredibly and participating at the last three Taylor Swift I didn’t come out because work. She said shamefully sexist in almost every regard. in the festivi- tours should’ve already been she’d gone to But that is the Church. And to be hon- ties. Not be- an indicator to anyone who I thought I had to choose Church that est, I hate the Catholic Church as much as cause for the breathes — I went to Church between my faith and my morning and felt anyone. Catholicism has not lasted for first time in first to talk about it with God. sexuality. . . .When I there was some- 2,000 years because of priests or the insti- my life I’m In the Catholic faith, there thing troubling tution. In fact it has lasted in spite of both. gay, but for is a practice called adoration. came out, God reached me that I hadn’t Its longevity stems from millions of peo- the first time Growing up I didn’t under- out to me to say you can told her about. I ple across the world who still connect to in my life, I’m stand what it was. I just be both.” struggled to hold the beliefs of forgiveness, do unto others Matt Hawley verging on thought that’s where my mom the phone. I’ve what you want done, and the self- something adja- would go on Friday nights never felt so sacrificing love of our creator. cent to pride when it comes to my sexuali- when she didn’t feel like drink- assured that God When I was younger, I didn’t come ty. ing. But as I grew older I understood why was in the Eucharist. out because I thought I had to choose be- For the longest time, I didn’t know she went. As I came out to family and friends tween my faith and my sexuality. I had no what that meant. How could someone be Catholics believe that at the last sup- over the course of the next year and a half, models of gay individuals who embraced proud of their sexuality? Did straight peo- per Jesus said, “Take this bread and eat. the response was varied — from uncondi- their faith. People always chose one or the ple walk around proud of the fact that they For this is my body given up to you.” tional love, to those who feared for my other. wanted to have heterosexual intercourse? When we receive the Eucharist, a conse- soul because now I was going to hell to When I came out, God reached out to Unlikely.But really what was there to be crated piece of unleavened bread, we are blatant rejection. Many kept asking: me to say you can be both. proud of when it came to sexuality at all? not remembering the last supper or reen- “Why?” That is why I’m proud: I reached It is an uncontrollable fact bestowed upon acting it. We believe we are actually re- That was a few years ago and I have back. I have incorporated my sexuality each of us. It’s like celebrating my red ceiving and consuming God and all the developed a new life and new friends. into my whole being. It does not define hair or freckles. Those don’t bring me a peace he brings. Now their resounding question is: Why? me. I am proud to be gay and Catholic. sense of pride. They’re just facts. I’m In adoration, we do not consume it, Why are you still Catholic? That is not simply a fact. It is an accom- proud of accomplishments. My graduation but we adore it silently. We believe God is I understand that the Church deems plishment. In spite of my surroundings, I from college, my job, the relationships present in that room. Everyone I’ve ever my gayness “same-sex attraction disor- proclaimed that I want to find happiness I’ve built with those around me, my dedi- tried explaining this to gets a weird, der,” which as an acronym spells “SAD” with a man. In spite of the world, I main- cation to watch all of season 2 of True bugged-out look in their eye. Like “Oh — the exact opposite of gay. I am clear tained my faith. I did that, and I am proud. Detective no matter how bad it got. Those crap, I thought he was normal.” It’s like that I can never get married in a Catholic 

LGBT-friendly Catholic Colleges and Universities

Below is a list of known LGBT-friendly Catholic colleges and universities, that is, those Catholic institutions that have some type of gay/ LGBT student group, support group, ally group, etc. If you are aware of such a college that is known as welcoming to LGBT people, please let us know.

Alabama Iowa Nebraska Philadelphia: Chestnut Hill College, Mobile: Spring Hill College Davenport: St. Ambrose University Omaha: Creighton University LaSalle University, St. Joseph’s Dubuque: Loras College University California New Hampshire Pittsburgh: Carlow University, Belmont: Notre Dame de Namur University Kentucky Manchester: St. Anselm College Duquesne University Goleta: St. Mark’s University Louisville: Spalding University, Nashua: Rivier College Radnor: Cabrini College Los Angeles: Loyola Marymount Universi- Bellarmine University Reading: Alvernia University ty, Mount Saint Mary’s College New Jersey Scranton: Marywood University Moraga: St. Mary’s College Louisiana Caldwell: Caldwell College Villanova: Villanova University Oakland: Holy Names University New Orleans: Loyola University Jersey City: St. Peter’s College Ranchos Palos Verde: Marymount College South Orange: Seton Hall Rhode Island San Diego: University of San Diego Maryland Newport: Salve Regina University San Francisco: University of San Baltimore: Notre Dame of New York Providence: Providence College Francisco Maryland University, Albany: College of Saint Rose Santa Clara: Santa Clara University Loyola University of Maryland Brooklyn and Patchogue: Texas St. Joseph College Austin: Saint Edward’s University Colorado Massachusetts Bronx: Fordham University, San Antonio: University of the Incarnate Denver: Regis University Boston: Emmanuel College, Manhattan College Word, Our Lady of the Lake Chestnut Hill: Boston College Buffalo: Canisius College University Connecticut Chicopee: Elms College Loudonville: Siena College Fairfield: Fairfield University, Easton: Stonehill College New Rochelle: College of New Rochelle, Vermont Sacred Heart University North Andover: Merrimack College Iona College Colchester: Saint Michael’s College New Haven: Albertus Magnus College Weston: Regis College Poughkeepsie: Marist College West Hartford: Saint Joseph College Worcester: Assumption College, Rochester: St. John Fisher College Washington College of the Holy Cross St. Bonaventure: St. Bonaventure Lacey: St. Martin’s College District of Columbia University Seattle: Seattle University Georgetown University, Trinity University Michigan Sparkill: St. Thomas Aquinas College Spokane: Gonzaga University Detroit: University of Detroit Mercy Syracuse: LeMoyne College Florida Grand Rapids: Aquinas College Queens: St. John’s University West Virginia Miami Gardens: St. Thomas University Wheeling: Wheeling Jesuit University Miami Shores: Barry University Minnesota Ohio Collegeville: St. John’s University Cincinnati: Xavier University Wisconsin Hawaii Duluth: College of St. Scholastica Cleveland Heights: John Carroll University De Pere: St. Norbert College Honolulu: Chaminade University Minneapolis: College of St. Catherine Dayton: University of Dayton Madison: Edgewood College St. Joseph: College of Saint Benedict Pepper Pike: Ursuline College Milwaukee: Alverno College, Illinois St. Paul: St. Thomas University South Euclid: Notre Dame College Cardinal Stritch University, Chicago: DePaul University, Loyola Uni- Winona: St. Mary’s University of Sylvania: Lourdes College Marquette University versity, St. Xavier University Minnesota Joliet: University of St. Francis Oregon Canada River Forest: Dominican University in Illi- Missouri Marylhurst: Marylhurst University Toronto: Regis College nois Kansas City: Avila University, Portland: University of Portland Romeoville: Lewis University Rockhurst University St. Louis: Fontbonne University, Pennsylvania Indiana St. Louis University Cresson: Mount Aloysius College Notre Dame: Holy Cross College, St. Dallas: Misericordia University Mary’s College, Univ. of Notre Dame Montana Erie: Mercyhurst College Helena: Carroll College Greensburg: Seton Hill University Summer 2016 BONDINGS Page 5 Failure to Defend Gay Rights Contradicts Gospel, Says German Priest

said church leaders must reform the in our church’s treatment of sexuality and By Bob Shine blind spots and performative contradic- “deficient mindset” they hold on this issue gender. Bondings 2.0 tions.” For instance, homosexuality is and extolled LGBT Catholics who remain Mertes’ two best contributions are, NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com addressed in the Catechism’s treatment of in the church despite oppression. Com- first, his recommendation that the church July 21, 2016 offenses against chastity thereby suggest- menting on nations where bisexual, lesbi- shift the lens through which it understands ing that just being gay is an offense as are an, and gay people face the death penalty, and engages homosexuality, moving from A German priest has critiqued sys- any longings and desires. Mertes wrote: Mertes said he was “appalled that the a focus on chastity to a focus on human temic homophobia in the Catholic “This painfully affects the everyday church is so silent on this issue.” The Ger- rights. If an updated edition of the Cate- Church, doing so the day after Pope Fran- experience of gay people in the Church. man priest is well known, too, for being a chism made only this revision, it would do cis recommended the church apologize to Instead of being assigned to the field of whistleblower in Germany about sexual much good. Second, the priest identified LGB people and others it had harmed. ‘chastity,’ the subject of homosexuality abuse at a Jesuit school in the country. anew what LGBT advocates have long Jesuit Fr. Klaus Mertes of Berlin, should be handled under the heading of Much of what Fr. Mertes wrote in the known, which is the power of personal Germany, called the Catholic Church to ‘human rights.’ journal article is not new, such as the narrative. Sharing stories and speaking in re-evaluate how homophobia functions in Where the Catechism does speak Scriptural research or critiques of how the first person invites connection and ecclesial teachings and practice, reported against anti-gay discrimination, the mes- church leaders understand clergy sexual opens minds in the most powerful ways. Global Pulse. In an article for the aca- sage is bizarre and gets “lost amidst dis- abuse. What is striking, however, is the Homophobia is intensely present in demic journal theologie.geschichte criminating statements” on homosexuali- powerful and concise way in which he our church, as Mertes made clear, but I (“theology.history”), Mertes highlighted ty elsewhere, Mertes observed. Of the laid out a systemic homophobia in all are- am hopeful because, so too, are the loving frequently cited as of church life. When reading it all to- and courageous witnesses of LGBT peo- Catechism section gether, even LGBT people and their allies ple and their loved ones who break down no. 2358, where will be struck again by the deep problems prejudices and build up justice.  the church is called to engage gay people with “respect, compas- Bourgeois: Church Must Change sion, and sensitiv- ity,” Mertes said it Its Teachings on Homosexuality is “patronizing and hurtful.” To By Roy Bourgeois come at their church. Two weeks before those persons who Bondings 2.0 graduation, he committed suicide. They believe homosex- NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com told me that the Catholic Church’s teach- uality is a Cross to June 26, 2016 ing on homosexuality contributed to the be carried, Mertes death of their son, and they left the church. responded that it Homophobia, according to Webster’s On a recent human rights delegation is not one’s orien- dictionary, is “the irrational hatred or fear to El Salvador, we met with LGBT peo- tation that is the of homosexuals.” ple. They told us about the danger of Cross but the Fr. Klaus Mertes,SJ The language we use breeds hatred coming out in El Salvador and how some “aversion and hos- and fear, which often leads to vio- of their good friends were killed. El Sal- tility of homophobia” imposed upon lence. It’s time to disarm hatred and vador is a very Catholic country. When areas where homophobia is reinforced by someone who is gay, lesbian, or bisexual. fear. A good place to start is with church asked about support from the church, they church teaching, as well as where it influ- The article, published in German, teachings. said Catholic bishops and priests were ences the church’s work. noted other areas where anti-gay preju- According to the official teaching of their biggest enemies. Mertes began by saying homophobia dices afflicts the church. Mertes criticized the Catholic Church, as stated in its Cate- Outside the Catholic Church, others violates the commandment of charity, and the Platonic and Aristotelian understand- chism, section 2357: see homosexuality differently: that Scripture and early Christianity clear- ings of sexuality and gender which have “Basing itself on Sacred Scriptures, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, said, “I’m ly witness to inclusive, equal relation- negatively impacted church teaching and which presents homosexual acts as acts of proud to be gay, and I consider being gay ships in opposition to today’s homopho- theology across the ages. He challenged grave depravity, tradition has always de- among the greatest gifts God has given bia. Citing Galatians 3:28–“There is nei- lingering associations in the church of clared that ‘homosexual acts are intrinsi- me.” ther Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor homosexuality with child sexual abuse; cally disordered.’ They are contrary to the In 1973, the American Psychiatric free, nor is there male and female, for you he challenged rumors of a “gay lobby” at natural law. They close the sexual act to Association declared that homosexuality is are all one in Christ Jesus”–the priest said the Vatican; he challenged the ways in the gif of life. They do not proceed from a a normal variation of human sexuality. modern adaptions could include that which homophobia and misogyny func- genuine affective and sexual complemen- On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme “there are no longer homosexual or heter- tion within all-male societies like the tarity. Under no circumstances can they Court ruled that same-sex marriage was a osexual.” He continued: Catholic clergy. be approved.” constitutional right. “That the Church cannot bring itself Mertes concluded by recounting the This teaching instills shame and self- According to the Human Rights Cam- to uphold the basic human rights of gay story of the Australian couple that ad- hatred. It has contributed to gay people paign, “Nearly two-thirds of LGBT Amer- people, and that it even allows senior dressed the 2014 synod and spoke about being rejected by their families, fired from icans report having experienced discrimi- church representatives to champion cul- their friends who have a partnered gay their jobs, bullied, and even killed. nation in their personal lives,” and “only tural traditions which threaten homosexu- son. The Australian speakers were criti- Throughout histo- 19 states explicitly als with death, contradicts the Gospel cized afterwards for bringing up their ry, the Bible and prohibit discrimina- Message.” friends’ support of the gay couple. Mer- “tradition” have been tion based on sexual Mertes examined how homophobia tes commented on this criticism: used to justify discrimi- orientation.” in the church influences its interpretation “This reflects the face of homopho- nation. The Bible was Today, 25 coun- of Scripture. He noted that contemporary bia. They do not want the discourse. That used to support slavery, tries have legalized anti-gay prejudices “prevent an historical- is the problem. Because the discourse is as it was used to oppose gay marriage, while critical look at the relevant passages” in like paste that no longer can be pushed the right of women to 75 nations treat ho- Scripture and in non-canonical historical back into the tube. Homophobia experi- vote. mosexual behavior texts. Prejudice leads some to prefer a ences discourse as threatening, and so it Growing up in as a crime. In 10 “fundamentalist Bible exegesis” at odds fights against it, instead of listening and Louisiana, we used our countries, it is pun- with the historical-critical approach en- arguing. But the scene from Rome also “tradition” and the Bi- ishable by death. dorsed during Vatican II. Scholars have shows the power of the personal word: ble to justify our segre- When we are born, repeatedly debunked the idea that any The discourse is not triggered by the gated schools and wor- we do not choose our biblical condemnation of homosexual ‘speaking about” in the third person sin- shiped in a Catholic race, gender, or sex- activity can be understood as a condem- gular, but by speaking in the first person Church that reserved ual orientation. No nation of the modern understanding of singular (or plural). The most important the last five pews for matter how hard we homosexual orientation and relationships. contribution to the reduction of homopho- blacks. And today, may try to justify Second, Mertes criticized church bia is therefore the discourse in the first once again, we are us- discrimination teaching as expressed in the Catechism of person.” ing the Bible and tradi- against others, in- the Catholic Church. He recognized not This is not Fr. Mertes first time criti- tion to discriminate cluding using the only the active homophobia in the Cate- cizing the church for how it approaches against gay peo- Bible and tradition, chism’s explanations, but also sees it in ” homosexuality. In a June interview, he ple.Over the years, I in the end, it is not have had to deal with the way of a loving Catholic church teach- Roy Bourgeois God who created ings. I served as a priest everyone of equal New Ways Ministry’s blog with the Maryknoll Fathers for 40 worth and dignity. There are no excep- years. In 2012, I was expelled because of tions. Bondings 2.0 my public support for the ordination of It is time for the Catholic Church and women. other churches to change the oppressive Being kicked out of the priesthood teachings on homosexuality.  The best way to keep up on the latest and my community of long-time friends Catholic LGBT news and opinions! was very painful. However, this experi- Roy Bourgeois, a former Roman ence gave me a glimpse of what millions Catholic priest and the author of My Updated daily! of people have gone through, on a much Journey From Silence to Solidarity, is a deeper level, because of their race, gender, nationally-known speaker on conscience Share your ideas with others! or sexual orientation. and church reform. He founded the Since my expulsion from the priest- School of the Americas Watch, which hood, I have been hearing the stories and holds an annual protest against the train- NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com experiences of gay people Two stand out ing of Latin American soldiers at Ft. and kept me awake at night: Benning, GA. He was nominated for the Catholic parents told me about their 2010 Nobel Peace. high school son who was gay. While they expressed unconditional love for him, he was bullied at school and did not feel wel- Page 6 BONDINGS Vol. 35, No. 4 Chaput: No Communion for unwed, gay and some divorced couples By David O’Reilly applying all of Amoris Laetitia," which he professor at St. Charles Borromeo Semi- allow local churches to interpret and im- Philadelphia Inquirer said urges pastors to "accompany married nary. "A lot of teachers and theologians plement them in the way they see best." July 7, 2016 couples in every type of situation" and feel it may not have been as well ex- The Diocese of Camden did not re- also to be "companions" to those who fall pressed as it should have been." turn a request for comment. Divorced and civilly remarried Catho- short of the church's teachings and to Chaput also noted that in spite of Michael Rocks, president of the Phil- lics, as well as cohabitating unmarried guide them toward holiness. Francis' exhortation that clergy be sympa- adelphia chapter of Dignity, a group for couples, must "refrain from sexual intima- Just what message Pope Francis in- thetic to those whose sexual relationships homosexual Catholics who believe it is cy" to receive Holy Communion in the tended to send to his pastors in Amoris seem to marginalize them, the pope permissible to be sexually active, said Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Archbishop has been a topic of some dispute, howev- "states clearly that neither Church teach- Tuesday he was not aware of Chaput's Charles J. Chaput has asserted in a new set er. ing nor the canonical discipline concern- guidelines but that "they will not affect of pastoral guidelines. In an oft-cited line, Francis wrote that ing marriage has changed." us, because we have a non-relationship Released Friday, the guidelines in- the church and clergy have wasted The Rev. Thomas Reese, former edi- with the archdiocese." struct clergy and other archdiocesan lead- "pastoral energy on denouncing a deca- tor of the Jesuit magazine America and a Pope John Paul II barred Dignity ers on implementing Amoris Laetitia, a dent world without proactively proposing columnist for the weekly National Catho- from meeting on any church property. major document on family that Pope Fran- ways to finding true happiness." lic Reporter, said that in Amoris Laetitia, "But I wonder how they tell if cis issued in April. He also wrote that "it can no longer "Francis is clearly open to the possibility straight people are following the sexual His six-page instruction, which ap- simply be said that all those in any of divorced and remarried Catholics re- rules of the church," Rocks said. "How do pears on the archdiocesan website, may be 'irregular' situation are living in a state of ceiving Holy Communion. they tell if the president of the parish the first of its kind issued by the bishop of mortal sin and are deprived of sanctifying "But I think he'd also leave this to the council isn't into child pornography or any American diocese in response to Am- grace." discretion of the local bishop," Reese having a sexual relationship?" oris Laetitia, Latin for "the joy of love." But Gill was emphatic that the latter said, "which means that Chaput can do He said he was "not surprised" that Acknowledging that it is a "hard sentence does not permit Catholic clergy what he wants in his diocese, but a neigh- Chaput would bar persons in unsanc- teaching," Chaput goes on to say that to decide on their own that an unmarried boring bishop may take a much more tioned relationships from holding posi- Catholics in same-sex partnerships, those couple may receive Communion. open position." tions of responsibility. "I can't imagine remarried without a church annulment, "There are people challenging the What Francis did in Amoris, Reese him saying anything else," Rocks said.  and cohabitating persons may not serve on wisdom of that statement," said Gill, a said, "was articulate certain principles and parish councils, instruct the faithful, serve as lectors, or dispense Communion. Allowing persons in such "irregular" Girl barred from her prom for wearing a suit relationships, "no matter how sincere," to hold positions of responsibility would "offer a serious counter-witness to Catho- attends another school’s dance lic belief, which can only produce moral By Sarah Larimer tions months ago. in, and on Saturday night Wolf attended confusion in the community," according to The Washington Post Whatever the case, Wolf’s plans for the prom for William Penn Senior High Chaput. May 23, 2016 attending her own prom were stymied: School, in York, Pa. Known as an apostolic exhortation, it The Associated Press reports that she was “We do embrace all,” Brandon does not carry the weight of an encyclical Aniya Wolf had planned to go to her “thrown out” of the event. “Sadly, I was Carter, the public school’s principal, told but is viewed as a major teaching of the school’s prom, and her mother, Carolyn, not admitted into the Prom,” she wrote on the Y ork Daily Record. church. told WHTM in Harrisburg, Pa., that the Facebook in early May. “I was forced to Wolf wore a suit, as she had planned Chaput served on the synod, or gath- family had even purchased a new suit for leave.” all along. ering of bishops, that advised Francis in Aniya to wear. But another high school then stepped “This is Aniya,” Carolyn Wolf told 2015 on the creation of Amoris, and was This sartorial choice wasn’t anything WHTM. “This is who Aniya has elected by those bishops to advise Francis particularly new, Aniya and Carolyn told been since she’s very young. And after the synod. In June, the United States the ABC affiliate. Carolyn Wolf told the she would not look right in a dress. Conference of Catholic Bishops named station that she thought her daughter was She looks great in a suit.” him chairman of a five-bishop committee “beautiful” in a suit. Aniya Wolf said she Bishop McDevitt High School did to help promote the teachings of Amoris has always been “more masculine.” not immediately return a message Laetitia in this country. Wolf’s school, Bishop McDevitt from The Post on Monday. The Center for Applied Research in High School in Harrisburg, took issue “I love McDevitt. I love my the Apostolate at Georgetown University with her prom attire, though. “The dress school, I love the coaches, I love the estimates that there are 4.5 million Catho- code for the prom specified girls must teachers. They’re all great,” Aniya lics in this country who are divorced and wear formal dresses,” said a statement Wolf told WHTM. “They’ve never remarried without an annulment. from the school, which was posted by frowned upon me for the way I’ve In his pastoral guidelines, Chaput WHTM. “It also stated that students who dressed before in the past. But they praises Amoris for its "sections of excep- failed to follow the dress code would not did make me feel very discriminated tional beauty," and notes that it will serve be admitted.” against.” as "key resources in revising and upgrad- Wolf and her family said the school’s Carter, the William Penn principal, ing our [archdiocesan] marriage prepara- rules for the dance came as a last-minute said a social studies teacher raised tion program." surprise; they had previously signed a the issue with him and asked if the Chaput was not available to discuss dress code that didn’t explicitly state invite could be extended, according the guidelines, but the Rev. Dennis Gill, dresses had to be worn — and then Wolf to the Daily Record. “We’ve had director of the archdiocesan Office for was presented with another dress code the many students that have worn what- Liturgy, described them Tuesday as day of the Bishop McDevitt dance, Wolf ever they felt comfortable in … it "much larger than Communion and irregu- wrote on Facebook. Bishop McDevitt high school student was just never an issue,” the social lar relationships." The Catholic school, however, said Aniya Wolf arrives with her date for the studies teacher, Maggie Mafnas, told the It was issued, Gill said, "as a way of parents had been notified of the regula- 2016 William Penn high school prom. newspaper.  What Pope can teach bishops about reaching out to LGBT people By John Gehring real opportunities for what Francis calls Catholic leaders in the U.S. can and who is editor at large at America maga- Religion News Service “accompaniment” and “encounter.” must do better. zine. June 29, 2016 Pastors in the 195 Catholic dioceses There are legitimate disagreements The late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin of across the country could take a first step between Catholic institutions and the gov- Chicago, pained by the divisions inside the Pope Francis again made an interna- by hosting listening sessions with gay ernment over how to most appropriately U.S. church, set up a common ground pro- tional news splash earlier this week when Catholics and LGBT leaders. There would balance religious conscience rights with ject in the 1990s with the goal of spurring he said that Catholic leaders should apolo- be disagreement and room for civil debate, LGBT equality. But these are often policy dialogue between Catholic conservatives gize to gay people and seek forgiveness but this posture of humility and respect debates that arise from the complications and progressives on a range of contentious for the way the church has harmed them. would send a powerful signal that the na- of seeking to honor two goods, not funda- issues. The effort limped along without The pope’s welcoming words of heal- tion’s largest church wants to learn from mental clashes of good and evil. much success in the years after his death. ing should not only prompt sober reflec- the varied experiences of gay, lesbian and The U.S. bishops’ conference should As new battles rage that pit religious liber- tion, but tangible action in Catholic dio- transgendered people. lower the rhetorical temperature, and act ty against LGBT rights, a reinvigorated ceses across the country. Words are not An outstretched hand is usually re- more like pastors than lawyers. Whether commitment to common ground and the enough to heal the wounds many LGBT ceived better than a wagging finger. Cath- it’s decrying President Obama’s 2014 ex- common good is needed now more than Catholics have suffered in the face of in- olic leaders could also be doing more to ecutive order that prohibited federal con- ever. difference and exclusion. speak out against discrimination on the job tractors from discriminating on the basis In his headline-grabbing comments, His honesty offers a unique oppor- and in housing. Gays and lesbians can now of sexual orientation or gender identity as Francis quoted the catechism of the Catho- tunity for Catholic clergy in the United marry legally, but in more than half the “extreme,” or blasting the U.S. Supreme lic Church, which teaches that gays and States to hit the reset button. states it’s legal to discriminate against a Court ruling upholding the right to a same- lesbians “must be accepted with respect, While research shows most Catholics gay person in the workplace or in housing. sex civil marriage as a “tragic error,” the compassion and sensitivity,” and that support same-sex marriage, the church A patchwork of laws across the country bishops’ approach has done little to per- “every sign of unjust discrimination in does not have to change its teachings on leaves millions of LGBT citizens with suade most people to their side and only their regard should be avoided.” Those are marriage to take immediate steps that second-class status. pours salt on old wounds. unambiguous words. But they are only would demonstrate a commitment to Catholics should be at the forefront of Francis doesn’t want to uproot the words on a page unless the church puts building bridges with the LGBT commu- fighting these injustices. When the U.S. church’s traditional teachings on marriage them into practice.  nity. Some Catholic parishes in San Fran- Senate passed a bipartisan Employee Non- or sexuality, but he does want to humanize cisco, Boston and New York have long discrimination Act in 2013, the U.S. Con- the conversation. And he’s not afraid to John Gehring is Catholic program been welcoming places for gays and lesbi- ference of Catholic Bishops said that it shake things up. director at Faith in Public Life and au- ans. Still, in many parishes, gays and les- wanted to “work with leaders and all peo- “Pope Francis is speaking about gays thor of “The Francis Effect: A Radical bians are tolerated but not embraced, ple of good will to end all forms of unjust and lesbians in ways that would have got- Pope’s Challenge to the American Cath- talked to but not heard. discrimination” but then opposed the leg- ten anyone else disciplined, censured or olic Church” Catholic clergy can institutionalize islation on the grounds that it undermined silenced ten years ago,” tweeted the Rev. the pope’s words of solidarity by creating marriage and threatened religious liberty. James Martin, a prominent Jesuit priest Summer 2016 BONDINGS Page 7 Gay-friendly Catholic Parishes & Communities Below is a list of known gay-friendly Catholic parishes and intentional Eucharistic communities. Thank you for helping us add to this growing list! If you are aware of a parish or community that is welcomes LGBT Catholics, please let us know. Tell us if this welcome is because of a support program, spirituality group, mission statement, participation in LGBT community events, or involve- ment with parents. Parishes are listed first and intentional Eucharistic communities follow. For links to many of these parishes’ web- sites, go to www.NewWaysMinistry.org

Delaware St. Louis: St. Cronan, St. Margaret of North Wilmington: Holy Child Scotland, St. Pius V Rhode Island Wilmington: St. Joseph Providence: St. Francis Chapel, Montana St. Mary’s District of Columbia Billings: Holy Rosary, St. Pius X Wickford: St. Bernard Holy Trinity, St. Matthew Cathedral PARISHES Nebraska Tennessee Florida Omaha: Holy Family, Sacred Heart Memphis: Cathedral of the Alabama Daytona Beach: Our Lady of Lourdes Immaculate Conception Decatur: Annunciation of the Lord Flagler Beach: Santa Maria del Mar Nevada Montgomery: St. Bede Ft. Lauderdale: St. Anthony, Las Vegas: Christ the King, Texas St. Maurice Guardian Angel Cathedral Colleyville: Good Shepherd Arizona Kissimmee: Holy Redeemer Dallas: Holy Trinity Chandler: St. Andrew St. Petersburg: Holy Cross New Hampshire El Paso: All Saints Glendale: St. Thomas More Tampa: Sacred Heart, Christ the King Merrimack: St. John Neumann Houston: St. Anne Mesa: St. Bridget Pelham: St. Patrick Phoenix: St. Matthew Georgia Virginia Scottsdale: St. Patrick Atlanta: Shrine of the Immaculate New Jersey Arlington: Our Lady Queen of Peace Tucson: St. Cyril of Alexandria, Conception Keyport: St. Joseph Richmond: Cathedral of the Sacred Ss. Peter and Paul, St. Pius X, Lawrenceville: St. Ann Heart, Sacred Heart Parish Our Mother of Sorrows, St. Odilia Idaho Long Beach Island: St. Francis of Roanoke: St. Gerard Boise: St. Mary Assisi Triangle: St. Francis California Maplewood: St. Joseph Virginia Beach: St. Nicholas Berkeley: Holy Spirit Parish Illinois South Plainfield: Sacred Heart Burney: St Francis of Assisi Berwyn: St. Mary of the Celle Tinton Falls: St. Anselm Washington Carlsbad: St. Patrick Chicago: Immaculate Conception, Seattle: Christ Our Hope, St. Benedict, Claremont: Our Lady of Assumption St. Clement, St. Gertrude, New Mexico St. Joseph, Prince of Peace El Cajon: St. Luke St. Gregory, St. Peter, St. Sylvester, Albuquerque: Holy Family, Newman Center Encino: Our Lady of Grace St. Teresa of Avila, St. Thomas the Shrine of St. Bernadette Tacoma: St. Leo Escondido: St. Timothy Apostle, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Espanola: Sacred Heart of Jesus Fremont: St. Joseph-Mission San Jose Lady of Mt. Carmel, Wisconsin Goleta: St. Mark Univ. Parish Old St. Patrick New York Madison: Our Lady Queen of Peace Hawthorne: St. Joseph (Spanish) Clarendon Hills: Notre Dame Albany: St. Vincent DePaul Menomonee Falls: Good Shepherd Hayward: All Saints Country Club Hills: St. Emeric Baldwinsville: St. Augustine Milwaukee: Good Shepherd, LaPuente: St. Martha Evanston: St. Nicholas Bellmore: St. Barnabas the Apostle Prince of Peace, Trinity-Guadalupe Lemon Grove: St. John of the Cross Inverness: Holy Family Bellport: Mary Immaculate Long Beach: St. Matthew Johnston City: St. Paul Binghamton: St. Francis of Assisi Canada Los Angeles: Blessed Sacrament, Morton Grove: St. Martha Brooklyn: St. Andrew the Apostle, Montreal: Holy Cross Christ the King, Mother of Good Oak Park: Ascension, St. Catherine of St. Boniface, St. Athanasius, Ottawa: St. Joseph Counsel, St. Camillus Center-LA Sienna-St. Lucy St. Augustine, Immac.Heart of Mary Toronto: Our Lady of Lourdes USC Medical Center (Spanish), Schaumburg: St. Marcelline Deer Park: Ss. Cyril and Methodius St. Agatha, St. Paul the Apostle East Islip: St. Mary England North Hollywood: St. Jane Frances de Indiana Elmira: St. Mary London: Church of the Immaculate Chantal, St. Patrick Indianapolis: St. Thomas Aquinas Fairport: Church of the Assumption Conception (Mayfair) Oakland: Our Lady of Lourdes Henrietta: Good Shepherd Oceanside: St. Thomas More Iowa Manhattan: Holy Name of Jesus, INTENTIONAL EUCHARISTIC Orange: Holy Family Cathedral Coralville: St. Thomas More St. Francis Xavier, St. Paul the COMMUNITIES Pasadena: Assumption of the B.V.M. Apostle, Church of the Ascension, Arizona Ross: St. Anselm Kentucky St. Francis of Assisi, St. Francis de Scottsdale: Franciscan Renewal Sacramento: St. Francis of Assisi Louisville: Epiphany, Cathedral of the Sales Center San Carlos: St. Charles Assumption, St. William Pittsford: Church of Transfiguration San Diego: Ascension, St. Jude Shrine, Rochester: Blessed Sacrament, California Catholic Community of UC,San Louisiana St. Mary (Downtown), St. Monica Orange: Koinonia Diego New Orleans: St. Augustine Syracuse: St. Lucy, All Saints Pleasanton: Catholic Community of San Francisco: Most Holy Redeemer, Utica: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Pleasanton Old St. Mary Cathedral, St. Agnes, Maine Historic Old St. John’s San Diego: Mary Magdalene Catholic St. Dominic, St. Teresa of Avila Portland: Sacred Heart-St. Dominic Wading River: St. John the Baptist Community San Jose: St. Julie Billiart, Saco: Most Holy Trinity Wantaugh: St. Frances de Chantal St. Martin of Tours (Emmaus Westbury: St. Brigid Colorado Community) Maryland Colorado Springs: Benet Hill Monstery San Luis Obispo: Mission San Luis Baltimore: Corpus Christi, North Carolina San Raphael: Church of San Raphael & St. Francis of Assisi, St. Ignatius, Charlotte: St. Peter District of Columbia Mission San Raphael Arcangel St. Matthew, Durham: Immaculate Conception Communitas Santa Barbara: OL of Guadalupe St. Vincent dePaul Fayetteville: St. Patrick Santa Cruz: Holy Cross Columbia: St. John the Evangelist Raleigh: St. Francis of Assisi Florida Santa Monica: St. Monica Gaithersburg: St. Rose of Lima Tampa: Franciscan Center Simi Valley: St. Rose of Lima Hagerstown: St. Ann Ohio Spring Valley: Santa Sophia Severn: St. Bernadette Akron: St. Bernard Maryland Stanford: Catholic Community at Stan- Cincinnati: St. George-St. Monica, Catonsville: Living Water Inclusive ford University Massachusetts St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Community South Pasadena: Holy Family Boston: Paulist Center, St. Anthony Cleveland: Blessed Trinity, Greenbelt: Greenbelt Catholic Comm. Valinda: St. Martha Shrine, St. Cecilia St. Malachi, St. Martha Vernon: Holy Angels Catholic Church East Longmeadow: St. Michael Columbus: St. Thomas More Michigan of the Deaf Newton: St. Ignatius Newman Center Grand Rapids: Marywood Walnut Creek: St. John Vianney Provincetown: St. Peter Fairlawn: St. Hilary Kalamazoo: Lambda Catholics West Hollywood: St. Ambrose, Sharon: Our Lady of Sorrows Mentor: St. John Vianney St. Victor Springfield: Sacred Heart University Heights: Church of Gesu Minnesota Whittier: St. Mary of the Assumption Westlake: St. Ladislas Minneapolis: Spirit of St. Stephen's Michigan Wooster: St. Mary of the Immaculate Catholic Community Colorado Ann Arbor: St. Mary Student Parish Conception Arvada: Spirit of Christ Detroit: St. Leo, Christ the King, Gesu Oregon Avon: St. Edward Parish Oregon Portland: Journey and Koinonia Colorado Springs: Sacred Heart St. Ignace: St. Ignatius Loyola Beaverton: Mission of the Atonement Catholic Community Denver: St. Dominic, Christ the King, Westland: Ss. Simon and Jude Portland: St. Andrew, St. Francis of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Assisi, St. Phillip Neri, Down- Virginia Lafayette: Immaculate Conception Minnesota town Chapel (St. Vincent de Paul) Arlington: NOVA Catholic Community Littleton: Light of the World, Minneapolis: St. Frances Cabrini, St Frances Cabrini St. Joan of Arc Pennsylvania Washington Philadelphia: Old St. Joseph, Olympia: Holy Wisdom Inclusive Connecticut Missouri Old St. Mary, St. John the Catholic Community Hartford: St. Patrick-St. Anthony Kansas City: Guardian Angels, Evangelist, St. Vincent DePaul St. James Wisconsin St. Joseph: St. Francis Xavier Madison: Holy Wisdom Monastery Page 8 BONDINGS Vol. 35, No. 4 In the wake of Orlando, Catholics reach out to LGBT community

By Madeline Zukowski people and the church. "It's just important that everyone be the faith. The Fond du Lac Reporter "The bishops in this country, with welcome in our church," Castiglione said. "If someone is gay and searching for Fond du Lac,Wisconsin some notable exceptions, have been very Gays and lesbians still don't "feel wel- the Lord and has good will, then who am I July 19, 2016 negative in their approach to LGBT is- come, so we're trying to do something to judge him?" Francis said at a press con- sues," he said. about that in our little corner of the ference in July 2013. FOND DU LAC - As news of the gay By contrast, lay members are general- world."In the late 1970s, discussions re- Pope Francis was named Person of nightclub shooting June 12 in Orlando, ly more open, he said. garding sexuality in the church were com- the Year for 2013 by The Advocate, a gay Florida, hit the Fond du Lac community, And both use church teachings to mon. Theologians criticized the church's national magazine. the Sisters of St. Agnes were quick to re- bolster their views and conduct. stance on sexual ethics, claiming that sex- "Everyone's the same," said Barbara spond. The bishops take their position from uality is more than just an activity. It in- Lent, the coordinator of All God's Family The sisters hosted a vigil days after the viewpoint of sexual ethics. The church volves the whole person, their emotions at Holy Family. "It's just who you love. the shooting, in which 150 people gath- approves of sexual activity only within and their psychological well-being. You really have a right to love who you ered in Veterans Park to remember the 50 marriage, defined in the church as vows However, with two conservative want to love." killed and 53 injured. It was the largest exchanged between one man and one popes in leadership in the past 30 years, With groups like the one at Holy attendance that any of the sisters' vigils woman. that discussion fell to the wayside. Family, lay people and a handful of had received, said Sister Sally Brickner, Meanwhile, many lay members Under the leadership of Pope Francis, church leaders are trying to change social the justice, peace and integrity of creation ground their beliefs in social justice, elected by the papal enclave on March 13, norms. coordinator for the sisterhood in Fond du which dovetails with the church's teaching 2013, a greater openness and less judge- "Sometimes that takes time, but you Lac. that every human being is born with hu- ment toward gays and lesbians permeated got to keep doing it," Lent said.  The support came from people who man dignity and must be treated "really do feel that discrimination is equally by law and in socie- wrong, (that) hate crimes are wrong," ty."Catholic support of LGBT people Brickner said. is done because the people are Catho- The fact that the sisters reached out so lic, not in spite of being Catholic," quickly might be surprising to some, given DeBernardo said. that the Roman Catholic Church has a Following the church's teachings checkered history when it comes to the on social justice, both Holy Family LGBT. But as the St. Agnes sisters and Good Shepherd Catholic Church, showed that evening, support for this com- which is in Menomonee Falls in munity exists within the Catholic faith. Waukesha County, have developed Indeed, two area Catholic churches programs that welcome the LGBT. have programs offering support, not judg- All God's Family, the group at ment, toward the community.The Cate- Holy Family, meets five to six times a chism, a summary of beliefs of the Catho- year. It is comprised of gays and lesbi- lic faith, states that the acts performed in a ans and their families. Pruess, who homosexual relationship are "intrinsically attends many meetings, said that while disordered." Even so, people with nonhet- the group spends time reflecting on erosexual drives should be treated with scripture, a majority of the meetings respect and not be discriminated against, center around discussion about faith the church teaches. Furthermore, the Unit- stories and teachings on acceptance ed States Conference of Catholic Bishops and rejection. states that gays and lesbians living chaste "The needs of each other really lives are welcome to minister within the come out," Pruess said. "You find church. people really want to share and be "The church never condemns the per- heard by others." son, it's always the act," said Rev. Ryan Gay & Straight in Christ, the Pruess, the pastor at Holy Family Catholic group in Menomonee Falls, has a sim- Community Parish in Fond du Lac. ilar approach. It was founded by Ann Issues surrounding gays are often Castiglione, who said she occasionally contentious between church leadership receives comments from other Catho- and lay members, said Francis DeBernar- lics happy to know the group exists. The Sisters of St. Agnes organized a vigil June 12 at Veterans Park in Fond du Lac to do, executive director of New Ways Min- Many of them know an LGBT person who honor those how died in the Orlando shooting. (Photo: Doug Raflik/USA TODAY NETWORK-) istry, a Maryland-based Catholic ministry left Catholicism because of its perceived of justice and reconciliation for LGBT attitude on sexuality, she said. New Ways Ministry Calls Church Leaders to Condemn Anti-LGBT Violence Bondings 2.0 effectively identify and contrast the causes Catholic leaders to mention in the face of official church teaching would support NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com of such terrible and absurd violence . . .” such vicious horror. Archbishop Cupich is condemnations of these hate-filled mes- June 26, 2016 But the Vatican did not refer to the fact to be praised for being a light in the dark- sages, practices, and laws. that this violence was directed at the ness. As we pray for an end to gun violence The following is a statement of Fran- LGBT community. Clearly the targeting of a gay night- and an end to violence directed against cis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry’s Similarly, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, club shows that, homophobia is a major LGBT people, we also include in our pray- Executive Director, in response to the president of the United States Conference factor which causes “terrible and absurd ers the hope that Muslim people will not mass shooting at a gay and lesbian night- of Catholic Bishops, made no direct refer- violence.” This attack highlights the fact become victims of a backlash against them club in Orlando, Florida, earlier that day. ence to the LGBT community in his state- that around the globe, every day, LGBT because of the shooter’s religious back- ment, noting only that the incident should people face oppression, intimidation, and ground. Such a response is as vicious and Words truly cannot express the horror, call people to “ever greater resolve in pro- violence. Homophobic and transphobic senseless as the violence perpetrated anguish, anger, and revulsion at the news tecting the life and dignity of every single attitudes and behaviors are carried out all- against the nightclub victims. of the mass murder of at least 50 people at person.” too-commonly in the form of discriminato- The Orlando murders should move all a gay and lesbian nightclub in Orlando, While individual bishops have reacted ry practices, verbal abuse, bullying, im- Catholic leaders to reflect on how their Florida. Such an action should instill in all publicly to the violence, the only statement prisonment, physical and sexual abuse, silence about homophobic and transphobic people around the globe a commitment to thus far from a Catholic leader which men- torture, and death. In many cases, this bru- attitudes and violence contributes to be- end gun violence and to protect the lives tions the gay and lesbian community is tality is sanctioned by governments and haviors which treat LGBT people as less of LGBT people. Chicago’s Archbishop Blase Cupich. In religious leaders who propagate homopho- than human and deserving of punishment. Adding to the anguish of this tragedy sympathy, Archbishop Cupich stated that bic and transphobic messages. The Vati- This sad moment in our history should is the response of most Catholic leaders. “our prayers and hearts are with. . . our can and other church leaders have yet to become a time when Catholic leaders The Vatican’s initial statement expressed gay and lesbian brothers and sisters.” Such speak clearly and definitively on these speak loudly and clearly, with one voice, sorrow and condemnation, and hope “that simple words should not be difficult for contemporary issues despite the fact that that attacks on LGBT people must stop.  ways may be found, as soon as possible, to Catholic Theological Society Gives Top Honor to Openly Gay Scholar

By Francis DeBernardo was cited for his work on intercultural ing: “I write theolo- and directs the Center for the Bondings 2.0 issues. The citation announcing the award gy. He lives it.” His Study of Latino/a Catholicism. NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com praised him for having “wrestled with speech received a He is also a founder of the July 18 2016 problems associated with the historical standing ovation. Academy of Catholic Hispanic and contemporary legacies of coloniza- The citation Theologians of the United The most prestigious U.S. Catholic tion, slavery, racism, and prejudice against additionally praised States (ACHTUS) and has theological organization for the first time LGBT persons.” Espin for being “a twice served as its president.” has awarded its highest honor to an openly In his acceptance speech, Espin in- pioneer and leader in He is only the third ethnic mi- gay scholar, the first. cluded thanks to his husband, Ricardo the field of Latino/ nority to receive this prestig- The Catholic Theological Society of Gallego, who was present at the meeting, Latina theology” ious award, and the first openly America (CTSA), the primary profession- which occurred in Puerto Rico. Gallego is who “has played a gay theologian to do so. al associations for this area’s scholars, director of Latinoa Services at the San central part in pro- Espin led a workshop on presented its John Courtney Murray Diego LGBT Community Center. They moting the highest LGBT ministry in the Latino/a Award to Orlando Espin, a professor of have been married since 2008, though scholarly standards community during New Ways systematic theology at the University of they have been a couple for 23 years. for Hispanic/Latino Ministry’s Seventh National San Diego, a Catholic school in southern In a statement to Bondings 2.0, Espin theology.” Accord- Orlando Espin Symposium in 2012.  California. Espin, who was awarded the said that he thanked Gallego for his work ing to The National honor at the society’s meeting in June, with vulnerable minority populations, not- Catholic Reporter, Espin also “founded