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B NDINGS Vol. 33, No. 4 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Winter 2013-14 New Ways co-founder 'was the archetype of a priest' Fr. Robert Nugent passes away on Jan. 1st

By Megan Fincher Nugent noticed that the Philadelph- The National Reporter ia archdiocese, through its official January 10, 2014 newspaper, The Catholic Standard & Salvatorian Fr. Robert Nugent, 76, Times, wasn't similarly extolling the died of complications from cancer in Mil- wisdom of Vatican II. waukee Jan. 1 under the care of his order. "He and some other forward- Often pigeonholed by his controversial looking priests started The Catholic work with the Catholic gay and lesbian Substandard & Times, an underground community, those who knew Nugent newspaper that printed things about the spoke of him in simpler terms. Vatican Council," Gramick said. "They "Defining Fr. Bob as a person was his would print what the archdiocese priesthood -- his call to serve the people wouldn't. They were rebels." of God," Mary Linton, a friend and pa- Gentry-Akin clarified that Nugent's rishioner of Nugent, told NCR. "rebelliousness came from a place of "He was the archetype of a priest," deep maturity. If he was challenging David Gentry-Akin, theologian and confi- people or pushing the envelope ... it was dant of Nugent, commented in an inter- a choice that was made out of a commit- view with NCR. "It was who he was ment to a deeper vision." through and through, in every fiber of his Similarly, before the Philadelphia being." archdiocese officially revised the Mass, "A big part of his identity was being a Nugent helped lead "clandestine litur- priest," Loretto Sr. Jeannine Gramick, co- gies that were following Vatican II," Fr. Robert Nugent, right, visits with people attending a talk he presented with founder with Nugent of New Ways Minis- Gramick said. Sr. Jeannine Gramick about their ministry. (Newscom/KRT/Dan Z. Johnson) try, said to NCR. "He was a very good In 1971, Nugent "read an article priest, a good counselor, an excellent about work that Sister Jeannine was homilist." doing in the gay and lesbian communi- the ' obituary. "It was the first formal, full-time Nugent was born on July 31, 1937, in ty. He felt inspired to reach out and "He saw people on the margins ministry for lesbian and gay people," Norristown, Pa., and he entered help," Gentry-Akin said. So Nugent who were hurting and suffering," Gen- Gramick said. in 1957, just two years after high school offered to become a celebrant for a try-Akin said. "He wanted them to see The Salvatorian order was known for graduation. Nugent is described as weekly gay-friendly liturgy that that the church loved them, too." its gay and lesbian outreach as early as "always having felt called to the priest- Gramick organized. So Nugent and Gramick organized the 1970s, and before the formation of hood," according to an obituary released By 1975, a decade after his ordina- a series of workshops for Catholic pas- New Ways, the order had written "a great by the Society of the Divine Savior, the tion, Nugent sensed a calling to reli- toral workers in 1976 specifically about report on gay and lesbian ministry. ... Salvatorians. gious community life and the opportuni- gay and lesbian issues. The next year, They encouraged the church to take up Nugent caught the Second Vatican ty to engage in social justice work. He Nugent not only made his final profes- this kind of ministry," Francis DeBernar- Council bug during his years of priestly entered the Salvatorian order and began sion of vows with the Salvatorians, but do, current executive director of New formation, and his as a priest of working for the Quixote Center, a Cath- with the help of the Quixote Center, he Ways Ministry, told NCR. Not surprising- the Philadelphia archdiocese in 1965 coin- olic social justice organization in Mary- and Gramick co-founded New Ways ly, then, the Salvatorians supported cided with the council's closing year. land. Ministry. New Ways is still a nonprofit Nugent and his chosen ministry. Gramick said Nugent especially wel- Through the center, Nugent contin- Catholic resource center, as well as a However, in 1988, the Vatican estab- comed the council's teachings about ued to encounter "numerous gay and place of advocacy and reconciliation, lished a commission to investigate "renewal of the church, reaching out to lesbian Catholics who were feeling al- for the gay and lesbian community, Nugent and Gramick, "to study and evalu- the world, embracing the marginalized." ienated from the Church," according to their families and the larger society. ate their public statements and activities and to determine whether these were faithful to Catholic teaching on homosex- uality," according to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. DeBernardo New Ways Ministry hails Father Nugent as an said that the Salvatorians, whenever ques- tioned by the , consistently “Uncommon Prophet” found Nugent faithful to church teach- ings. By Francis DeBernardo impact and value of Father Nugent’s "He's right at the top of the good and Executive Director, New Ways Ministry lesbian and gay ministry. He educated a holy priests that I knew," Gentry-Akin Bondings 2.0 generation of pastoral leaders who be- said. "Everything he did was motivated NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com gan to put into practice the inclusive out of his love for the church." January 2, 2014 ideals that he taught. A tireless re- Over a decade of investigations fol-

“When few priests would do more searcher and writer, he produced a num- lowed, leading the doctrinal congregation to announce in 1999 that Gramick and than whisper about homosexuality, Father ber of important works on pastoral care Nugent was meeting with lesbian and gay that helped to shape the movement in Nugent were both "permanently prohibit- people and encouraging them to claim Catholicism of gay-friendly parishes. In ed from any pastoral work involving ho- their rightful place in the Catholic the mid-1990s, he served as a consultant mosexual persons." "I think it was very difficult for him. Church. During a time of intense homo- to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bish- phobia in both church and society, he ex- ops’ Committee on Marriage and Fami- I think he would have preferred to stay in hibited uncommon courage and foresight ly Life as they produced their landmark the ministry," Gramick said. "But his loy- in welcoming and affirming the goodness pastoral document, Always Our Chil- alty to the institutional church didn't al- low for that." of God’s lesbian and gay children. dren. A sensitive counselor, he support- “But his ministry was more than a ed scores of gay priests and brothers as Gentry-Akin spoke similarly: "As welcome. He had the wisdom to know they worked at reconciling their spiritu- painful as it was, he was going to show that the real moral problem in the church ality with their sexuality. his loyalty to the church by submitting to something he felt was unjust. was not the lives of lesbian and gay peo- “When New Ways Ministry in- ple, but the ignorance and fear out of formed its supporters of Fr. Nugent’s "He decided to back away from the which many church leaders and officials illness, hundreds of cards and notes ex- work, not because he didn't believe in it operated. An uncommon prophet, instead pressing gratitude and encouragement or thought he did anything wrong, but Rev. Robert Nugent, SDS because he thought it would show his of railing against this ignorance and fear, flooded his hospice room. At the end, he and Sister Jeannine set out to educate he knew he was loved and cared for by commitment to the priesthood and the people about the reality and holiness of dream was for New Ways Ministry to so, so many on his final journey. ." lesbian and gay lives. Instead of battling be a resource and advocacy center to “While we at New Ways Ministry are Linton recalled Nugent's response to her question about him leaving New the institution, he attempted to build which pastoral leaders, lesbian and gay sad that we will no longer experience bridges of education and dialogue, helping Catholics, and family members could his sharp mind, his warm heart, and his Ways: "I have to be a priest. That's all I've to enlighten Catholic leaders who were turn. For decades the duo crisscrossed delightful wit, we are comforted by the ever wanted in my life is to be a priest." sometimes reluctant to break free from the nation providing support and guid- fact that his impact will live on in the Nugent assisted in ministry at St. Church in New Free- their traditional ways. A loyal son of the ance to those Catholics who were will- lives of those he touched and in the Church, he attempted to help the institu- ing to open up to their more inclusive ’s continued renewal of dom, Pa., from 2000 until his retirement tion live up to its most cherished ideals of model of church. He bravely withstood its welcome and commitment to its in 2013. "He was a good liturgist. People human dignity, equality, and respect. the disapproval of many Church leaders, lesbian and gay members–a renewal that would love to go to his Masses. Not just “In founding New Ways Ministry often experiencing the alienation and he played such a large role in with Sister Jeannine, he helped establish marginalization of the lesbian and gay effecting. We now have another to because he gave good homilies. The an institutional resource for the Catholic people that he served. whom we can pray for LGBT equality (Continued on page 3) Church on lesbian and gay issues. Their “It is impossible to overestimate the and justice.”  Page 2 BONDINGS Vol. 33, No. 4

B NDINGS Vatican asks for parish-level input on Winter 2013-14 Vol. 33, No. 4 synod document Church's teaching is known, is it accepted fully or are there difficulties in putting it into practice?" the document asks. "If so, what are they?" Francis DeBernardo, Editor By Joshua J. McElwee National Catholic Reporter Whether cohabitation, the problem of divorce and October 31, 2013 remarriage, and same-sex marriages are a "pastoral Board of Directors Mary Byers The Vatican has asked national bishops' conferences reality" in their church. "Does a ministry exist to Jeannine Gramick, SL around the world to conduct a wide-ranging poll of Catho- attend to these cases?" the document asks. "How is lics asking for their opinions on church teachings on con- God's mercy proclaimed to separated couples and Ryan Sattler those divorced and remarried and how does the traception, same-sex marriage and divorce. Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary general of Church put into practice her support for them in Board of Advisors their journey of faith?" Cornelius Hubbuch, CFX the Vatican's Synod of Bishops, asked the conferences to distribute the poll "immediately as widely as possible to How persons in same-sex marriages are treated Anna Koop, SL deaneries and parishes so that Louise Lears, SC input from local sources can Anthony LoGalbo, OFM be received." Claire Pluecker The poll, which comes in a questionnaire sent to na- Staff tional bishops' conferences Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director globally in preparation for a Matthew Myers, Associate Director Vatican synod on the family Robert Shine, Social Media Coordinator next October, is the first time the church's central hierarchy Co-Founders has asked for such input from Sr. Jeannine Gramick, SL grass-roots Catholics since at Rev. Robert Nugent, SDS least the establishment of the synod system following the . Bondings is a seasonal publication designed The upcoming synod, which Francis announced and how children they may adopt are cared for. to keep our subscribers informed of issues earlier this month, is to be held Oct. 5-19, 2014, on the that pertain to lesbian and gay people "What pastoral attention can be given to people theme "Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of who have chosen to live these types of union?" it and the Catholic Church. Evangelization." asks. "In the case of unions of persons of the same The questionnaire was sent Oct. 18 from Baldisseri to sex who have adopted children, what can be done Founded in 1977, New Ways Ministry the presidents of the world's individual bishops' confer- pastorally in light of transmitting the faith?" is an educational and bridge-building ences. Whether married couples have "openness" to be- ministry of reconciliation between the Cath- It asks the conferences to quiz their populations on  coming parents and whether they accept Humanae olic gay and lesbian community topics that sometimes have sharply divided the U.S. church, like the Catholic teaching prohibiting the use of artificial Vitae, an encyclical written by Pope Paul VI that and the institutional structures prohibited artificial contraception use by Catholics. in the Roman Catholic Church. contraception, the possibility of a divorced Catholic to re- marry or receive Communion, and the number of young "Is this moral teaching accepted?" it asks. "What aspects pose the most difficulties in a large majori- New Ways Ministry seeks to eradicate people choosing to live together before marrying. NCR obtained a copy of the letter and questionnaire. ty of couple's accepting this teaching?" prevalent myths and stereotypes In contrast to the Americans, the Catholic Bish- about homosexuality and supports civil While Baldisseri asks in his letter for wide consulta- tion on the questions, an accompanying letter sent with the ops Conference of England and Wales has set up an rights for lesbian and gay persons in society. U.S. version of the Vatican document does not request the online survey that Catholics in their countries can use American bishops undertake wide consultation in their dio- to respond to the Vatican questions. ceses. A copy of the questionnaire is at this same link. Baldisseri asks in his letter that the conferences New Ways Ministry That accompanying letter, dated Oct. 30, is sent from respond to the questions by the end of January. 4012 29th Street Msgr. Ronny Jenkins, the general secretary of the U.S. Baldisseri also states that wants the Mount Rainier, Maryland 20712 bishops' conference, and only asks the U.S. bishops to pro- October 2014 synod to only be the first step in evaluat- (301) 277-5674 vide their own observations. ing these questions and that he intends to address the [email protected] "In his correspondence, Archbishop Baldisseri re- questions again during a planned synod in 2015 mark- quests the observations of the members of the Conference ing the 50th anniversary of the synod's establishment. NewWaysMinistry.org The October meeting, the accompanying prepara- NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com regarding the attached preparatory documents and ques- tionnaire that will provide a basis for the preparation ... for tory document states, will "define the 'status quaestion- the extraordinary synod," Jenkins writes. is'" while the 2015 synod will "seek working guidelines Helen Osman, the secretary of communications for in the pastoral care of the person and the family." the U.S. bishops' conference, said Thursday that Jenkins "Concerns which were unheard of until a few was out of the office for the day and was not available to years ago have arisen today as a result of different situ- comment on how the U.S. bishops might pursue consulta- ations, from the widespread practice of cohabitation, TO SUBSCRIBE tion for answering the questions. which does not lead to marriage … to same-sex unions In an email after initial publication of this story, Os- between persons," the preparatory document states. COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORM man said the bishops will follow a "usual process" for so- Other issues specifically identified in the docu- liciting information as "Rome asks for this kind of consul- ment as "requiring the Church's attention and pastoral tation on a regular basis." care" include: Enclosed is: "[The conference] passes on to bishops what is sent to Mixed or interreligious marriages; us," Osman wrote. "They then take care of the local consul- Single-parent families; _____ $25.00 in the US or Canada tation and send the data back to us. We transmit it to the Holy See. That is why the letter says the bishops will send Polygamy; _____ $35.00 outside US or Canada back observations (gathered locally)." "A culture of non-commitment and a presump- "It will be up to each bishop to determine what would tion that the marriage bond can be temporary"; and _____ I wish to receive Bondings, be the most useful way of gathering information to provide "Forms of feminism hostile to the Church" but cannot donate at this time. to Rome," she wrote. "A reflection on these issues by the Synod of Among topics bishops' conferences are asked in the Bishops, in addition to it being much needed and ur- ______Vatican document to question their Catholic populations Name gent, is a dutiful expression of charity towards those about: ______entrusted to the Bishops' care and the entire human Address How the church's teaching on "the value of the fami- family," the document states.  ly" is understood today. "In those cases where the City ______

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Night Phone ______B NDINGS 2.0 Cell Phone ______Building Bridges Between the LGBT Community and the Catholic Church

Please make check payable to “New Ways Bondings 2.0 provides daily news Ministry”. Outside the US, please use only updates, quality commentary, and checks drawn on a US bank in US dollars or go to www.newwaysministry.org. spiritual/theological reflections on Catholic LGBT issues of our time. Mail to: New Ways Ministry 4012 29th Street Mount Rainier, MD 20712 www.NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com Winter 2013-14 BONDINGS Page 3 Papal responds to American’s concern about Uganda’s anti-gay bill

By Francis DeBernardo become law. sition is unclear, it’s important that the Bondings 2.0 “I am gravely concerned that a pope and the papal nuncio hear from NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com number of human rights violations will Catholics that they want church teaching December 28, 2013 occur if the President signs this bill. on human dignity and respect to be up-

After learning the terrible news last Although the Catholic Hierarchy may held in this matter. week that the Ugandan Parliament passed not approve of same-sex relationships New Ways Ministry applauds Brian a bill imposing heavy penalties, including or a homosexual lifestyle, I believe the McLauchlin for his swift, passionate, and life imprisonment, on anyone convicted of Hierarchy would agree that everyone courageous correspondence. We are so homosexual activity, a New Ways Minis- has the right to be treated with dignity proud of his witness. We hope that many try friend wrote to the papal nuncio and respect. Imprisoning someone for of you will use his letter as a model or (Vatican’s representative) to that nation. life would clearly constitute an abuse of will craft one of your own to On December 21st, Brian his/her rights. send. Lesbian and gay Ugandans are McLauchlin sent an email to Archbishop “The largest single denomination in counting on us at this time to speak coura- Michael Blume, asking him to speak with Uganda is Roman Catholic. I ask that geously and forthrightly.  the Ugandan bishops and Pope Francis you use your influence as Papal Nuncio about this abuse of human to get the bishops to speak out against this bill. When you speak with Pope rights. McLauchlin received a positive Archbishop Michael Blume Indian cardinal speaks response from Blume the same day, as- Francis please inform him of this situa- suring him that his office is concerned tion. I do believe he would want to see out against ban on about the situation, and that he would be need conversion, repentance, support, the dignity and respect of all people homosexuality working with Uganda’s Catholic bishops and hope. The Bible says in Luke 6:36- honored and kept sacred. I sincerely on the matter. 37 ‘Be merciful just as your Father is thank you for your attention to this im- Catholic Herald (UK) merciful. Do not judge and you will not portant matter.” December 11, 2013 Blume’s message discusses the confu- sion which exists in Uganda about the bill: be judged. Do not condemn and you will Last week, when Bondings 2.0 re- Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Arch- “It was only this morning that I found not be condemned. Forgive and you will ported the Ugandan news, we asked our bishop of Mumbai and president of the out about the action of the Parliament. In be forgiven.’ (complete statement at readers to write to Pope Francis asking of India, said fact the whole business caught many of us, www.uecon.org/Publication.html, to- him to speak out against this bill. We that the Church has “never considered including the bishops’ conference, by sur- wards the bottom of the page).” repeat that request now, and we also gay people criminals,” after the Su- prise as there had been no hints of it in The papal nuncio also noted that he encourage readers to write to the Arch- preme Court of India restored a law the press nor on the site of the Parlia- would be working with the bishops as bishop Blume. His address is: banning homosexual acts. ment, which indicates legislation being they comment on the bill: Archbishop Michael Blume According to AsiaNews, Cardinal discussed. The bill had been put on hold “It’s the general policy for Apostolic Nunciature Gracias, a member of the Council of last February and seemed forgotten, but… to work together with the bishops con- P.O. Box 7177 Cardinals advising Pope Francis on Chwa II Road, Mbuya Hill You can view some articles on it from the ferences on questions of national inter- Curial reform, said “the Catholic government press (www.newvision.co.ug) est. For that reason I was already in Kampala, UGANDA Church has never been opposed to the and the opposition (www.monitor.co.ug). contact with the Secretary General this email: [email protected] decriminalisation of homosexuality, That the Prime Minister speaks about morning. . . . I’m sure there will be a lot It is so important to write letters to because we have never considered gay both the pope and the papal - further consultation needed is something of movement between the bishops’ con- people criminals.” important to note. The Monitor also ference and various institutions of the cio. Although Archbishop Blume is “As Christians, we express our full points out a problem of the quorum at the country. The bill will die if the President optimistic about working with the Ugan- respect for homosexuals. The Catholic session that passed the law — without does not sign it within thirty days. We dan bishops on this matter, it is very Church is opposed to the legalisation of important that the pope and the nuncio clearly stating whether it existed or not.” pray the Holy Spirit to give him wis- gay marriage, but teaches that homo- Blume also noted that the Ugandan dom.” hear from Catholics. Though the Ugan- sexuals have the same dignity of every bishops had spoken out against an earlier McLauchlin’s letter to the nuncio dan bishops spoke out against the bill in human being and condemns all forms version of this bill in 2009: follows: 2009, and although the portion quoted of unjust discrimination, harassment or The bishops had pronounced on the “Your Excellency: I am writing to above is hopeful, the rest of their state- abuse,” Cardinal Gracias said. bill already in 2009. Here’s just the para- you about a grave matter in terms of ment presents a very negative attitude India’s Supreme Court overturned graph that is a kind of résumé: human rights abuses towards LGBT toward homosexuality. Last year, there a decision taken by the High Court of “The recent tabled Anti-Homosex- persons in Uganda. As you are probably was a report that the bishops had re- Delhi in 2009, which had decriminal- uality Bill does not pass a test of a Chris- aware, Uganda’s Parliament recently versed their opposition to the bill, ised homosexual acts. The court said it tian caring approach to this issue. The passed a bill calling for tougher punish- though, because they have not spoken was up to parliament to legislate on the targeting of the sinner, not the sin, is the ments for homosexual acts, including about it clearly, it is difficult to know issue. According to Section 377, a 153- core flaw of the proposed Bill. The intro- life imprisonment for those considered where they stand currently. It is hopeful year-old colonial law, a same-sex rela- duction of the death penalty and imprison- ‘repeat offenders.’ In addition, this bill that the papal nuncio supports their 2009 tionship is an “unnatural offence” and ment for homosexual acts targets people also criminalizes the public promotion opposition to the bill, an indication that punishable by a 10-year jail term.  rather than seeking to counsel and to of homosexuality. Once the President of he may feel the same way. Still, be- reach out in compassion to those who Uganda signs the legislation, it will cause the Ugandan bishops’ current po-

New Ways co-founder 'was the archetype of a priest' Announcing the

(Continued from page 1) Rev. Robert Nugent Memorial Lectureship Masses were reverent and beautiful," other. ... He helped to heal so many fam- Gramick explained. ilies. It was so obvious that people could Linton said that many parishioners feel because of this priest, 'I know that drove over the Maryland border to at- God loves me, even though my friends New Ways Ministry has tend Nugent's Masses. "He ate with peo- have turned me away.' " established a fund to sponsor ple, he blessed their homes, he baptized, DeBernardo concurred: "One of his lectures on Catholic LGBT topics he helped with RCIA, he was very much messages to the lesbian, gay, bisexual in memory of our co-founder, and transgendered community was that a scholar and a teacher," she said. Father Robert Nugent, SDS. Since 1996, Nugent had been lead- they had to follow their conscience in ing international pilgrimages for Catho- regards to how to live their lives. [After lic gays and lesbians, their families and the censure] they could see that he had The purpose of the lectureship is others who wanted to accompany them. to follow his conscience." to address topics that were dear to After the Vatican censure, Nugent could Gentry-Akin explained that Fr. Bob's mind and heart: pastoral Nugent's "agenda was not to oppose no longer advertise the pilgrimages as a outreach to LGBT people and facet of the New Ways Ministry, but he church teaching," but that he simply continued to lead them outside of that wanted "the church to live up to what their families, theological devel- context. she says about the dignity of every hu- opments in the area of sexuality, DeBernardo recalled, however, that man person." homosexuality, and gender, build- on a pilgrimage Nugent led to Ireland Both DeBernardo and Gentry-Akin ing bridges of reconciliation said that one of the best ways to under- after the censure, he "still attracted a between the LGBT community large number of gay and lesbian people stand Nugent was through a book he and their parents. People were still inter- wrote, Silence Speaks: Teilhard de and the institutions of the church. ested and supportive of him." Chardin, Yves Congar, John Courtney Murray, and (Paulist Linton, who went with Nugent on To contribute to the lectureship fund in honor of Fr. Nugent: nearly all of his pilgrimages, said of the Press, 2011). excursions, "Fr. Nugent wasn't standing "The book is about theologians who  By credit card, visit www.NewWaysMinistry.org or call the in front of us, preaching. He was more had been silenced in the church but who NWM office at 301-277-5674 (9a-5p EST); likely trying to help the group integrate. eventually were vindicated and re- stored," DeBernardo said. "I think that  Send a check payable to “New Ways Ministry” (memo: Fr. To let people tell their stories, make sure Nugent) to 4012 - 29th Street, Mount Rainier, MD 20712. everyone was comfortable with one an- was his epilogue."  Page 4 BONDINGS Vol. 33, No. 4 The complex and layered meanings in Pope Francis’ new document

By Francis DeBernardo looks like Pope Francis’s road to change further reflection and study. Nor do I acknowledges the role of science, who Bondings 2.0 in the church won’t be a straight one. believe that the papal NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com seeks to update old traditions can only But while in content Pope Francis should be expected to offer a definitive mean that the road ahead is filled with November 27, 2013 remains traditional, many people, in- or complete word on every question possibilities. (All of the items mentioned As more people begin to scrutinize cluding myself, perceive he is opening which affects the Church and the world. in the previous sentence were included in Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, up a process that will eventually lead to It is not advisable for the Pope to take yesterday’s blog post on excerpts from the Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gos- positive developments in church teach- the place of local Bishops in the dis- papal document.) pel), new details emerge which show that ing. For example, Martin Pendergast, a cernment of every issue which arises in John Allen, writing in The National in regards to LGBT issues, the new docu- their territory. In this sense, I am con- Catholic Reporter, summarizes what he ment shows a complex picture. scious of the need to promote a sound sees as Pope Francis’ outline for reform, The New York Times reports that ‘decentralization.’” (Introduction, sec- which includes many of the items men- buried in a footnote to the document is a tion 16) tioned above. Allen writes: reference to the U.S. bishops’ 2006 docu- In the second selection, the pope ment, Ministry to Persons with Homosex- acknowledges that not all Church teach- He calls for a “conversion of the ual Inclinations: Guidelines for Pastoral ings hold the same weight: papacy,” saying he wants to promote “a Care, which promoted the traditional def- “All revealed truths derive from the sound decentralization” and candidly ad- inition of a homosexual orientation as an same divine source and are to be be- mitting that in recent years “we have objective disorder. The Times reports: lieved with the same faith, yet some of made little progress” on that front. “Nowhere in the document did Fran- them are more important for giving di- He suggests that bishops’ confer- cis speak explicitly of homosexuality or rect expression to the heart of the Gos- ences ought to be given “a juridical status same-sex marriage. However, he said the pel. In this basic core, what shines forth … including genuine doctrinal authority.” church should not give in to ‘moral rela- is the beauty of the saving love of God In effect, that would amount to a reversal tivism,’ and cited with approval a docu- made manifest in Jesus Christ who died of a 1998 Vatican ruling under John Paul ment written by the bishops of the United and rose from the dead. In this sense, II that only individual bishops in concert States on ministering to people with the Second Vatican Council explained, with the pope, and not episcopal confer- ‘homosexual inclination.’ The pope said ‘in Catholic doctrine there exists an ences, have such authority. order or a ‘hierarchy’ of truths, since the American bishops are right that the Francis says the “is not a church must insist on ‘objective moral Pope Francis they vary in their relation to the founda- tion of the Christian faith’.[38] This prize for the perfect, but a powerful medi- norms which are valid for everyone’ — cine and nourishment for the weak,” in- even when the church is perceived by sup- long-time Catholic advocate for LGBT holds true as much for the dogmas of equality in the United Kingdom, offered faith as for the whole corpus of the sisting that “the doors of the sacraments” porters of gay rights as promoting preju- must not “be closed for simply any rea- dice and interfering with individual free- what he saw as two important selections Church’s teaching, including her moral from the document which point to the teaching.” (chapter 1, section 36) son.” His language could have implica- dom.” tions not only for divorced and remarried This detail is a clearer indication that possibility of change in the Church, What gives me hope from this doc- which I had overlooked in yesterday’s ument, despite the fact that it does not Catholics, but also calls for refusing the Pope Francis does not seem inclined to Eucharist to politicians or others who do change the teaching on homosexuali- post on this topic. challenge the traditional teaching on In the first selection, the pope is homosexuality, is that there is an open- not uphold church teaching on some mat- ty. That notion had been clear since he ters. first started speaking about gay and lesbi- calling for decentralization of authority ness and humility that seem to get at the an issues back in July with his “Who am I in the church: core of the Christian message. Having a He calls for collaborative leader- to judge?” interview, in which he also did “Countless issues involving evan- pope who is interested in the opinions of ship, saying bishops and pastors must use uphold the Catechism’s teaching on ho- gelization today might be discussed the , who stresses dialogue and the “the means of participation proposed in here, but I have chosen not to explore possibility of change, who stresses di- mosexuality. I’ve noted before that it (Continued on page 8) these many questions which call for versity and decentralization, who Gay-friendly Catholic Colleges and Universities

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

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

Winter 2013-14 BONDINGS Page 5 The shame of the Catholic workplace Even as the pope moderates, discriminatory practices continue

By Jim Smith es are intensifying the judgmental be- does not. making part, or something extra in the Star Tribune havior that the pope urged Catholics to When gay, lesbian or transgender making part.” It is difficult, she notes, to September 30, 2013 eschew in a recent interview with Jesuit people attempt to live openly as the in- square the hierarchy’s teaching that we The list keeps getting longer. publications. dividuals that God created them to be, are all created in the image and likeness of A teacher in New York City. An or- These incidents, like others around however, the hierarchy is suddenly zeal- God but that some of us should be pun- ganist near Atlanta. A teacher in Chicago. the country, cost Catholic institutions ous to defend its doctrine. This double ished for loving as God made us to love. A music director in Charlotte. A teacher the services of dedicated and talented standard is increasingly obvious both to Most Catholics, and most Minneso- in Columbus. individuals who, in most instances, have lay Catholics (almost three-quarters of tans appreciate this dissonance. The long- At an accelerating rate, Catholic served the church and community effec- whom support laws that would protect er religious institutions continue to dis- schools and churches around the country tively for years. Catholic prelates like lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender criminate against LGBT people in the are firing lesbian, gay, bisexual and Archbishop John Nienstedt say that the people in the workplace, according to a name of an inconsistently applied doctri- transgender employees who have decided church must enforce its employment 2011 survey by the Public Religion Re- nal litmus test, the greater damage they that they can no longer deny who they are policies in order to defend its teachings search Institute) and the general public. will suffer. and whom they love. on marriage and the family. Schools and parishes that force There are signs that certain church No school better exemplifies this un- But if this is the case, why does the LGBT people out of work believe that leaders understand this as well. Respond- happy trend than Totino-Grace High hierarchy not defend these teachings the U.S. Supreme Court gave them legal ing in August to questions about gay School in Fridley, Minn. Late last month, more consistently? cover in January 2012 when it ruled that priests, Pope Francis said: “If they accept Kristen Ostendorf, an English and religion Catholic parishes don’t fire hetero- certain employees at religiously affiliat- the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to teacher, was fired after telling colleagues sexual musicians who choose to get ed institutions were not protected by judge them?” The pope, in other words, at a workshop: “I’m gay, I’m in a relation- married at City Hall rather than in a antidiscrimination laws. As a faithful has no plans to discriminate against the ship with a woman, and I’m happy.” Just Catholic Church. Catholic schools don’t Catholic, however, I am less interested gay men who, in secular terms, might be one month earlier, William Hudson, the check up on heterosexual teachers to in whether firing LGBT employees is thought of as his employees. school’s president, had resigned after a determine whether they might have re- legal than in whether it is true to what Catholics and Minnesotans who bene- rumor about his sexuality prompted him married without having their previous the church teaches about the nature of fit from strong Catholic institutions would to reveal that he was in a committed 18- marriages annulled, or whether they are God. be better served if people like Archbishop year relationship with another man. using artificial contraception. If the hier- In an interview with MinnPost, Os- Nienstedt and the other religious institu- At a time when even Pope Francis archy were defending what it defines as tendorf said: “God made me, God made tions were similarly enlightened.  himself is urging the church to move be- Catholic principles, it would have to fire all of us, and I don’t think that I’m some Jim Smith is Associate Director of yond what he calls its “obsession” with individuals in marriages that the church abnormal person, or an aberration, or DignityUSA, a member of the Equally sexual issues, Catholic schools and parish- does not recognize as sacramental. But it that there was something missing in the Blessed Coalition.

How to establish LGBT employment non-discrimination policies in Catholic institutions

By Francis DeBernardo Church institutions reflect the same kind status, sexual orientation, gender identi- 301-277-5674. Our email address is Bondings 2.0 of justice. We need to make sure that ty, and personal support for marriage [email protected] NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com our Church lives up to its best traditions equality.”  Share your successes and setbacks October 25, 2013 of honoring the dignity of work, respect- How can you work to implement with us so that we can better help oth-

In this past year, at least one dozen ing a person’s conscience, and treating such policies in your local communi- ers who want to establish such poli- people were fired from Catholic institu- all people equally. ty? Here are some suggestions to get cies. tions because of LGBT issues. Some were New Ways Ministry believes that you started:  Share the graphic below with your fired because they legally married a same- the best way to help LGBT church per-  Identify other people in your parish, friends on social media. You can ac- gender partner. Others were fired because sonnel is for Catholics to work locally to school, or other institution who sup- cess it through New Ways Ministry’s of their support for such marriages or be- get their Catholic institutions to adopt port LGBT equality. Brainstorm Facebook page. cause of their gender identity. In 2012, non-discrimination policies with regard with them what might work best These are just some tips to help you five people were fired for these reasons, to marital status, sexual orientation, locally in your particular situation. get started. Every local situation is so we are definitely seeing an increase in gender identity, and personal support for  Propose such policies to the various unique, so do not be afraid to adapt these such actions by Church leaders. marriage equality. Only by adopting decision-makers in an institution. suggestions to fit your community. Catholics need to take action to help such policies will LGBT Church person- Don’t just approach the person at the Do not be discouraged by lack of prevent such firings. Our Catholic social nel and their supporters be protected top of the hierarchy (e.g., pastor or progress or success. Even if your institu- justice tradition compels us to institute from unfair labor practices. principal). Work with the “middle tion ultimately does not adopt such a poli- structures that promote equality and jus- A policy statement can be as simple managers” who affect the decision cy, engaging in this process will help peo- tice for all people. As Catholics work to as: “(Name of parish, school, or institu- makers, such as a parish council, a ple and the Church to have an open dia- make our society more just for LGBT tion) will not discriminate in employ- parent-teacher associations, a social logue on the issue. Such discussion will people, we need to also work to make our ment practices on the basis of marital justice committee, a diversity task make it more difficult for people to be force, or others who have influence. fired in the future because decision-  Collect signatures on a petition to makers will know of your support for institute a non-discrimination policy LGBT equality. to present to the local decision- In working to establish such a policy, makers. you are in line with Catholic social justice  Gather testimonies about how such practice. As early as 1973, St. Vincent’s firings reflect negatively on the Hospital in New York City established an Church’s image. Gather these not employment non-discrimination policy only from LGBT people, but from based on sexual orientation. They were other Catholics who disagree with the first Catholic institution to do so. You discriminatory employment practic- can read about their story here and here. es. But the tradition of protecting em-  Gather testimonies on the spiritual ployment of LGBT people and their sup- porters in Catholic institutions has some gifts and professional skills of LGBT people from those whose lives are more recent precedents, too. For exam- touched by them, such as parents, ple, this past summer Bondings 2.0 re- ported on two Catholic hospitals lauded family members, friends, parishion- ers, students, colleagues, and alumni. by the Human Rights Campaign for their sensitivity to LGBT issues, including em-  Develop your arguments around the ployment. And in March, 2013, the laity Catholic ideas of justice and equali- and church workers of the Diocese of ty. The Catholic social justice tradi- Santa Rosa, California persuaded Bishop tion protects the rights of workers, it Robert Vasa to retract an orthodoxy respects differences among people, it pledge in diocesan employment contracts. promotes the equal treatment of all And in April of 2012, Cardinal Christoph people, it respects everyone’s inher- Schonborn of Vienna, Austria, who was a ent human dignity. papal candidate, overturned a pastor’s  If appropriate, work regionally with decision to exclude a gay man in a com- other parishes, schools, and Catholic mitted relationship from serving on the institutions in your area so that more parish council. than one place will simultaneously Employment non-discrimination poli- adopt such policies. cies offer a great form of legal protection  Contact New Ways Ministry to con- for these Church workers. Please pray sult about the particular situation in about the decision to start this process and your community. We’d be glad to start working towards a goal in the best be part of your brainstorming and way that you can. Our God of justice will strategizing. Our phone number is surely reward your efforts.  Page 6 BONDINGS Vol. 33, No. 4 Funeral for transgendered person at pope's church

By John L. Allen, Jr. A week before her death, she gave a go-born politician and ophthalmologist National Catholic Reporter brief video interview to the Italian paper who serves as Italy's Minister for Inte- December 27, 2013 Corriere della Sera in which she de- gration, making her the first person of

If anyone wants an example of what scribed having a paralyzed arm and color to serve in an Italian cabinet. the emphasis on mercy under Pope Fran- walking with a limp as a result of a pre- Jesuit Fr. Giovanni La Manna, di- cis looks like in action, they'll find one vious beating. rector of the Centro Astalli, said the this afternoon in Rome at the Church of In the interview, Quintero said her funeral is intended not only to mourn the Gesù, the mother church of the pope's dream was to "meet a guy with money Quintero's death, but to offer "a signal Jesuit order, where a funeral will be cele- who'll get me out of this ugly life," re- for the entire Roman community that's brated for a Colombian transgendered and ferring to drugs and homelessness. To distracted in the face so many people homeless person beaten to death five date, police have not arrested anyone for who face discrimination, and who live months ago. Quintero's murder. their difficulties to the indifference of The body of Andrea Quintero, who The delay in organizing a funeral, our city." struggled with drug addiction and lived on according to news reports, was due to In a tweet about the funeral, the the streets in the area around Rome's main the fact that Quintero's family never Vatican writer for Corriere della Sera, Termini train station, was found alongside made a request for her remains or pro- Gian Guido Vecchi, referred to it taking a track in the station on July 29. An inves- vided any instructions about how they place in "the church of Francis," pre- tigation concluded she died as a result of wanted her memorialized. sumably a reference to the fact that it's injuries from a severe beating. Eventually the Jesuit-run Centro happening at the mother church of his Quintero, 28 at the time, had left her Astalli, dedicated to aiding refugees, in Jesuit order. family in Colombia four years before. She combination with the local branch of More broadly, however, the funeral was well known to personnel at the station Caritas and civic officials, stepped in to expresses the "Church of Francis" in the and to charity workers, calling herself the organize a funeral service. sense that it's a classic gesture of mercy "Trans of Termini." Andrea Quintero Among other dignitaries expected for someone who lived and died at soci- to be on hand is Cécile Kyenge, a Con- ety's margins. 

Love trans-formed over the weekend

By Bob Shine homelessness. Peer victimization at lic Church they have been so harmed by Bondings 2.0 young ages leads to lifelong problems the Catholic community that they have left NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com with social acceptance and self-worth, church. I know a number of Lutherans November 25, 2013 and he continued: and Episcopalians that were raised Cath- Love was trans-formed near Balti- “If you’ve been bullied as a child, olic. more on Saturday, November 23rd, as you don’t get over it. It tends to affect “The reality is that there is no teach- Catholics gathered for New Ways Minis- people in profound ways.” ing by the Roman Catholic Church on try’s “Trans-forming Love” workshop Dr. Menvielle attributes many of transgender people. There are those who which addressed transgender issues from the challenges transgender people face make claims; there is nothing that has a variety of perspectives. Participants to social factors, such as how one’s fam- been substantiated. Every priest I’ve from as far as Chicago and New England ily, friends or co-workers might respond talked to and a couple of bishops have gathered for prayer, reflection, and educa- or how culture, philosophical, and reli- been very supportive and understanding. tion during the daylong workshop. They gious factors could affect their well- They have not found any incompatibility were parents, friends, spouses, pastoral being. Given these realities, it was easy with being transgender and Catholic. ministers, allies, and transgender people for participants to extrapolate how pas- “For me, one reason I stay Catholic themselves. The workshop was held at toral care of transgender people in the is the ritual. I’m deeply called to that. It’s the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a necessary, needed highly symbolic to me as an artist and a convent. step. creative person. There’s a convenience The morning began with prayer, fol- After a lunch break, participants factor too with my wife being Catholic.” lowed by a presentation from Dr. Edgardo heard from Hilary Howes, a transgender You can read more on Howes’ blog, Menvielle, MD of Children’s National Catholic woman who spoke to the per- TogetherStyle, where she also provides Medical Center in Washington, DC. Dr. sonal, spiritual, and religious aspects of Hilary Howes resources for transgender people. There Menvielle shared his story of how his transgender people’s lives. Howes are also resources available for promoting psychiatric career migrated into the care shared her story of transitioning eight- “Our idea was: what do we bring inclusive faith communities from the In- of gender variant children. He helped een years ago, and then about her efforts to the party? What is it that we stitute for Welcoming Resources. participants understand terminology and to advocate for transgender rights. She [transgender people] do that is unique The day concluded with a closing concepts particular to discussions of gen- noted that each person’s life, especially to religious institutions? In other tradi- prayer, part of which is included below der identity and diversity, as well as shar- those on the margins, is a parable that tions, transgender people hold a very for the reflection of Bondings 2.0 readers: ing clinical insights. instructs. special place and in Western culture we “We give you thanks, O God our Cre- Most pointedly, he spoke of the par- Howes also discussed her participa- needed to define that.” ator, because you have given us life. You ticular needs of gender variant children, tion in the Transgender Religious Specific to the Catholic community, have made us in your image and breathed who may or may not ultimately be Roundtable which hopes to go beyond Howes was asked why transgender peo- your Spirit into us. We are alive with the transgender. Transgender youth are at just welcoming transgender people into ple would stay Catholic and she replied: divinity that you manifest in us. We have increased risk of violence, depression and faith communities. Howes said of this “I’ll have to admit that for a lot of been touched by you, O God.”  suicide, risky sexual behaviors, and effort: transgender people raised in the Catho-

Editorial: The church was not 'out-marketed' on gay marriage

By Editorial Staff focus group. sexuality and sexual activity to its most The same is quickly coming true on National Catholic Reporter In a sense, the church has in its banal, utilitarian and mechanistic level, the topic of homosexuality, because December 16, 2013 questionnaire preparing for the Synod of detaching it from the deepest possibili- among Catholic parents who know their

The church's problem with the issue Bishops on the family a focus group ties of genuine human intimacy. children as all manner of things -- curious, of homosexuality, claims New York Car- study underway right now. If Catholics They've detached it from human funny, loving, mischievous, talented, gra- dinal Timothy Dolan, stems from lousy honestly answer these questions and experience, and according to sociologist cious, annoying, musical, athletic -- all the marketing, that most secular undertaking bishops' staffers honestly report their William D'Antonio, whose life's career things that parents revel in and come to of the materialist culture. The problem, he answers, church officials might just love, some are also coming to know their learn -- among other things -- why most children as gay. Thank God that today asserted, is not in the church's teaching, but in how it has been sold. It's just not Catholics aren't "buying" the notion that most parents are not cowering before a been made pretty enough to entice people their gay children, parents and friends If the church faces a marketing catechism characterization of their chil- to take it off the shelf. Hollywood and a are "intrinsically disordered" or suffer failure on issues of sexuality, dren and sending them off in a panic to a host of other secular interests were first to from a "condition." the failure is in Courage meeting to be remade into some- place their shiny new products on the If the church faces a marketing fail- listening to its people. thing more acceptable. shelf. ure on issues of sexuality, the failure is We dare suggest that some of the Dolan made his comments the First in listening to its people. In recent years, Catholic faithful, particularly the family Sunday of Advent to David Gregory on the U.S. bishops have been deaf to the and friends of gay, lesbian, bisexual or NBC's "Meet the Press." On the issue of people of the church -- and the Ameri- transgender persons, might be a bit further gay marriage, Dolan said, "We've been can voters -- on the issue of same-sex has been studying Catholics, "Lived down the road in loving as God would out-marketed sometimes. We've been marriage. When it comes to contracep- experience is trumping abstract teach- have us love, that they might understand caricatured as anti-gay." tion and divorce and remarriage, the ing. Wins it all the time." Pope Francis' teaching about encounter to The cardinal, who lives on Madison church has tuned out what the faithful Official teaching on contraception a greater degree than many of us. Avenue, is within walking distance of have been saying for 50 years. The has been so widely dismissed in prac- Perhaps in his wandering among the some of the best marketers the world has church's teaching on sexuality is unper- tice, one wonders it even comes up in sheep in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis ever known. If he looked to them for ad- suasive because the church advances conversation. The same is true for di- encountered gays and their parents, and vice, they might suggest he begin with a teachings that actually reduce human vorce and remarriage. (Continued on page 8) Winter 2013-14 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 known as welcoming to lesbian/gay Catholics, please let us know. Tell us if this welcome is because of a support program, spirituality group, mission statement, participation in gay community events, or involvement with parents. Parishes are listed first and intentional Eucharistic communities follow. For links to many of these parishes’ websites, go to www.NewWaysMinistry.org

St. , St. James Connecticut St. Joseph: St. Francis Xavier Rhode Island Hartford: St. Patrick-St. Anthony St. Louis: St. Cronan, St. Margaret of Providence: St. Francis Chapel, Scotland, St. Pius V St. Mary’s Delaware Wickford: St. Bernard North Wilmington: Holy Child Montana PARISHES Wilmington: St. Joseph Billings: Holy Rosary, St. Pius X Tennessee Memphis: Cathedral of the Alabama District of Columbia Nebraska Decatur: Annunciation of the Lord Holy Trinity, St. Matthew Cathedral Omaha: , Sacred Heart Montgomery: St. Texas Florida Nevada Colleyville: Good Shepherd Arizona Daytona Beach: Las Vegas: Christ the King, Dallas: Holy Trinity Chandler: St. Andrew Ft. Lauderdale: St. Anthony, Guardian Angel Cathedral El Paso: All Glendale: St. St. Maurice Houston: St. Anne Mesa: St. Bridget Naples: St. John the Evangelist New Hampshire Phoenix: St. Matthew St. Petersburg: Holy Cross Merrimack: St. John Neumann Virginia Scottsdale: St. Patrick Tampa: Sacred Heart, Christ the King Pelham: St. Patrick Arlington: Our Lady Queen of Peace Tucson: St. , Richmond: Cathedral of the Sacred Ss. Peter and Paul, St. Pius X, Georgia New Jersey Heart, Sacred Heart Parish Our Mother of Sorrows, St. Odilia Atlanta: Shrine of the Immaculate Lawrenceville: St. Ann Roanoke: St. Gerard Conception Long Beach Island: St. Francis of Triangle: St. Francis California Assisi Virginia Beach: St. Nicholas Berkeley: Holy Spirit Parish Idaho Maplewood: St. Joseph Burney: St Boise: St. Mary Tinton Falls: St. Anselm Washington Carlsbad: St. Patrick Seattle: Christ Our Hope, St. Benedict, Claremont: Our Lady of the Assump- Illinois New Mexico St. Joseph, Prince of Peace tion Berwyn: St. Mary of the Celle Albuquerque: Holy Family, Newman Center El Cajon: St. Luke Chicago: Immaculate Conception, Shrine of St. Bernadette Tacoma: St. Leo Encino: Our Lady of Grace St. Clement, St. Gertrude, Espanola: Sacred Heart of Jesus Escondido: St. Timothy St. Gregory, St. Peter, St. Sylvester, Wisconsin Fremont: St. Joseph - Mission San St. Teresa of Avila, St. Thomas the New York Madison: Our Lady Queen of Peace, Jose Apostle, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Albany: St. Vincent DePaul Menomonee Falls: Good Shepherd Goleta: St. Mark Univ. Parish Old St. Patrick Baldwinsville: St. Augustine Milwaukee: Good Shepherd, Hawthorne: St. Joseph (Spanish) Clarendon Hills: Notre Dame Bellmore: St. Barnabas the Apostle Prince of Peace, Trinity-Guadalupe Hayward: All Saints Country Club Hills: St. Emeric Bellport: Mary Immaculate LaPuente: St. Martha Evanston: St. Nicholas Binghamton: St. Francis of Assisi Canada Lemon Grove: St. Johnston City: St. Paul Brooklyn: St. Andrew the Apostle, Montreal: Holy Cross Long Beach: St. Matthew Morton Grove: St. Martha St. Boniface, St. Athanasius, Ottawa: St. Joseph Los Angeles: Blessed Sacrament, Oak Park: Ascension, St. Catherine of St. Augustine, Immaculate Heart of Toronto: Our Lady of Lourdes Christ the King, Mother of Good Sienna-St. Lucy Mary Counsel, St. Camillus Center-LA Schaumburg: St. Marcelline Deer Park: Ss. Cyril and Methodius England USC Medical Center (Spanish), East Islip: St. Mary London: Church of the Immaculate St. Agatha, St. Indiana Elmira: St. Mary Conception (Mayfair) North Hollywood: St. Jane Frances de Evansville: St. Mary Fairport: Church of the Assumption Chantal, St. Patrick Indianapolis: St. Thomas Aquinas Henrietta: Good Shepherd Oakland: Our Lady of Lourdes Manhattan: Holy Name of Jesus, INTENTIONAL EUCHARISTIC Oceanside: St. Thomas More Iowa St. Francis Xavier, St. Paul the COMMUNITIES Orange: Holy Family Cathedral Coralville: St. Thomas More Apostle, Church of the Ascension, Arizona Pasadena: Assumption of the B.V.M. St. Francis of Assisi Scottsdale: Franciscan Renewal Ross: St. Anselm Kentucky Pittsford: Church of the Center Sacramento: St. Francis of Assisi Louisville: Epiphany, Cathedral of the Transfiguration San Carlos: St. Charles Assumption, St. William Rochester: Blessed Sacrament, California San Diego: Ascension, San Rafael, St. Mary (Downtown), St. Monica Orange: Koinonia St. Jude Shrine Louisiana Syracuse: St. Lucy, All Saints Pleasanton: Catholic Community of San Francisco: Most Holy Redeemer, New Orleans: St. Augustine Utica: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Pleasanton Old St. Mary Cathedral, St. Agnes, Historic Old St. John’s St. Dominic Maine Wading River: St. John the Baptist District of Columbia San Jose: St. Julie Billiart, Portland: Sacred Heart-St. Dominic Wantaugh: St. Frances de Chantal Communitas St. Martin of Tours (Emmaus Saco: Most Holy Trinity Westbury: St. Brigid Community) Florida San Luis Obispo: Old Mission of Maryland North Carolina Tampa: Franciscan Center San Luis Obispo Baltimore: Corpus Christi, Charlotte: St. Peter San Raphael: Church of San Raphael & St. Francis of Assisi, St. Ignatius, Durham: Immaculate Conception Maryland Mission San Raphael Arcangel St. Matthew, Fayetteville: St. Patrick Greenbelt: Greenbelt Catholic Santa Barbara: OL of Guadalupe St. Vincent dePaul Raleigh: St. Francis of Assisi Community Santa Cruz: Holy Cross Columbia: St. John the Evangelist Santa Monica: St. Monica Gaithersburg: St. Rose of Lima Ohio Michigan Simi Valley: St. Rose of Lima Hagerstown: St. Ann Akron: St. Bernard Grand Rapids: Marywood Spring Valley: Santa Sophia Severn: St. Bernadette Cincinnati: St. George-St. Monica, Kalamazoo: Lambda Catholics Stanford: Catholic Community at Stan- St. ford University Massachusetts Cleveland: Blessed Trinity, Minnesota South Pasadena: Holy Family Boston: Paulist Center, St. Anthony St. Malachi, St. Martha Minneapolis: Spirit of St. Stephen's Valinda: St. Martha Shrine, St. Cecilia Columbus: St. Thomas More Catholic Community Vernon: Holy Angels Catholic Church East Longmeadow: St. Michael Newman Center of the Deaf Newton: St. Ignatius Fairlawn: St. Hilary Oregon Walnut Creek: St. John Vianney Provincetown: St. Peter Mentor: St. John Vianney Portland: Journey and Koinonia West Hollywood: St. Ambrose, Sharon: Our Lady of Sorrows University Heights: Church of the Catholic Community St. Victor Springfield: Sacred Heart Gesu Whittier: St. Mary of the Assumption Westlake: St. Ladislas Washington Michigan Wooster: St. Mary of the Immaculate Olympia: Holy Wisdom Inclusive Colorado Ann Arbor: St. Mary Student Parish Conception Catholic Community Arvada: Spirit of Christ Detroit: St. Leo, Christ the King, Gesu Avon: St. Edward Parish Oregon Wisconsin Colorado Springs: Our Lady of St. Ignace: St. Ignatius Loyola Beaverton: Mission of the Atonement Madison: Holy Wisdom Monastery Guadalupe, Sacred Heart Westland: Ss. Simon and Jude Portland: St. Andrew, St. Francis of Denver: St. Dominic, Christ the King, Assisi, St. Phillip Neri, Down- To add your faith community to our Mount Carmel Minnesota town Chapel (St. Vincent de Paul) list, please contact New Ways Minis- Fort Collins: Blessed John XXIII Minneapolis: St. Frances Cabrini, try at [email protected] or Genessee: St. Frances Cabrini Shrine St. Joan of Arc Pennsylvania call 301-277-5674. Highlands Ranch: Philadelphia: Old St. Joseph, Littleton: Light of the World, Missouri Old St. Mary, St. John the St Frances Cabrini Kansas City: Guardian Angels, Evangelist, St. Vincent DePaul Page 8 BONDINGS Vol. 33, No. 4 2 metro Detroit Catholic gay rights activists to be honored for work

Detroit Free Press faith communities is the most important October 26, 2013 work we're doing -- because it's not Farmington Hills couple Linda Karle- easy." Nelson and Thomas Nelson will be hon- PFLAG has about 200,000 mem- ored Saturday night at the national con- bers in all 50 states to reach out to par- vention of PFLAG -- one of the country's ents, families and friends of lesbian, top advocacy groups for gay rights -- for gay, bisexual and transgender people. their outreach to Catholic families with The Nelsons also volunteer with Fortu- gay members and for challenging Catholic nate Families, a support group for Cath- teachings against gay marriage. olic families with LGBT members. At PFLAG's national convention in The Catholic Church says it wel- Washington D.C., the couple will receive comes gay people, but calls their sexual the Betty DeGeneres Award, so named orientation "disordered." Catholic because of Betty DeGeneres' parental sup- Church leaders have helped fund state port for her famous daughter who is a public ballot issues to ban gay marriage. lesbian, comic and talk show host Ellen The church teaches that gay sex and sex DeGeneres. acts outside the marriage of a man and a Linda, 73, and Tom, 83, met at woman are sinful. Some Catholic gay- PFLAG meetings in the 1990s, and as rights supporters have drawn optimism widowers, married in 2006. Each is the from recent comments by Pope Francis, parent of a gay adult son. Lifelong Catho- who hasn't altered church teachings but lics, the couple was in the news last spring suggested Catholic leaders should be when they led a protest against Detroit less judgmental and not "obsessed" with Catholic Archbishop Allen Vigneron's issues such as gay marriage. Linda Karle-Nelson and Tom Nelson comments that Catholics who support gay Karle and Nelson family members marriage or unions shouldn't present are traveling to Washington, D.C., for Tom Nelson's son, Mark, who is 248-489-1505; you can also e-mail themselves to receive the sacrament of the Saturday evening ceremony. gay, as well as three of Nelson's five [email protected], or go to communion at Catholic mass. John Karle, 44, who is gay, said his daughters, also will attend. www.fortunatefamilies.com PFLAG president Jody Huckaby said mother's and stepfather's activism amaz- "I'm proud of them," Mark Nelson, Joe Kohn, an Archdiocese of Detroit more famous and visible people were es him, and inspired him to join a gay- who lives in metro Detroit, said Friday. spokesman, said Friday that Fortunate nominated for the honor -- only the sec- rights protest in front of St. Patrick's Tom Nelson calls all his children Families members are welcome at the ond time it has been given since Betty Cathedral in New York City. his life's greatest blessings, but "the gift parish. DeGeneres received the first award two "She is such a strong and persistent of a gay son has been the greatest gift "People are welcome to our Catholic years ago. But Huckaby said the Nelsons voice in support, and particularly sup- God has given -- it's taught me about Churches without restrictions," Kohn said. were deserving because they're seeking to port for gay kids in schools, and in loving." "We're glad to know that they're coming change minds while staying members of churches with their families," said On Nov. 9, the Nelsons will host a to mass. As we've said before, there are the Catholic Church. Karle, a publicist for St. Martin's Press Fortunate Families gathering at Christ hundreds of masses celebrated in the arch- "They are a tremendous example of and churchgoing Catholic who will be at the King Parish in northwest Detroit, diocese every weekend. It's always Arch- parental love and affirmation. And then the ceremony. "It inspires me. I just ending the day's events with mass. bishop Vigneron's expectation that these talking about it, and talking about it in one can't sit back and do nothing if she's There is no charge to attend, but regis- liturgies are conducted in full conformity of the most challenging areas -- the faith outside marching out front of the archdi- tration must be received by Nov. 4. For with the Catholic Church's teachings."  community," Huckaby said. "Our work in ocese's office." more information, call 585-698-6100 or

Pope Francis’ letter-writing revolution requires Editorial: The church was not 'out-marketed' our involvement on gay marriage

By Bob Shine and the way it was written, calling it an of Florence did with their experiences, (Continued from page 6) National Catholic Reporter act of "spontaneous confidence." this is an opportunity to offer our joys and perhaps that is why today he can say, November 8-21, 2013 One Kairos leader said Pope Francis hopes, griefs and anxieties about those in answer to questions: "When I meet had also assured the group of his bless- matters closest to us. Putting pen to paper a gay person ... if they accept the Lord Pope Francis has made headline after ing, something they could not before have is a simple act, but allows each of us to and have goodwill, who am I to judge headline for personally reaching out imagined happening. The members of join Francis in answering God's call to them? They shouldn't be marginalized. through letters and phone calls to people Kairos have decided to keep the rest of rebuild the church. If you write to Francis The tendency [to homosexuality] is not who have written to him, and speaking pas- the message of both letters private. or local church leaders, please let us the problem ... they're our brothers." torally with them. The Italian newspaper La When New Ways Ministry led a pil- know. On another occasion, when asked Repubblica now reports that the pope sent a grimage to Italy in 2011, the Kairos group Here's the mailing address: if he approved of homosexuality, he handwritten reply to a group of gay and met with our American travelers to share His Holiness, Pope Francis explained: "I replied with another lesbian Catholics in Italy, and the original stories and perspectives. Francis DeBer- 00120 question. 'Tell me, when God looks at letter may have prompted the pope's recent nardo, our executive director, is contact- a gay person, does he endorse the ex- warm remarks on gay people. ing them currently to learn more about istence of this person with love, or Here is New Ways Ministry's transla- this papal letter. The complex and layered reject and condemn this person?' We tion of the La Repubblica report: While the contents of the pope's letter must always consider the person. Here Pen and paper. Among the many revo- remain private, truly as if between a pas- meanings in Pope we enter into the mystery of the human tor and the people he serves, there are lutions made by Pope Bergoglio, in addition being." to phone calls home to ordinary people... broader lessons for the lesbian, gay, bi- Francis’ new document sexual, transgender and ally Catholic Dismissing the lack of acceptance there is also the "post effect," the mountain (Continued from page 4) of church teaching as a marketing fail- of letters delivered every day at his resi- community in this experience. the Code of Canon Law and other forms ure is an insult to the very idea of dence in Santa Marta, and sent directly to First, the wisdom that relational en- of pastoral dialogue, out of a desire to counters with people are the most effec- teaching and certainly to gays and les- him. ... listen to everyone and not simply to those Some people think it may have been tive form of advocacy is relevant even for bians. It walks, in search of a sound the pope. If La Repubblica's conjecture is who would tell him what he would like to bite, right past the mystery of the hu- one of these "messages in a bottle" that hear.” inspired the breakthrough of Bergoglio correct that the personal letter from man being. about gays. A letter sent in June to the pope Kairos of Florence led to Francis' "Who Francis criticizes forces within the Dolan promised to keep up the by various Italian gay Catholics ... where am I to judge?" and other comments that church who seem to lust for “veritable battle against gay marriage, all the gays and lesbians asked Francis to be rec- have greatly shifted the church's tone on witch hunts,” asking rhetorically, “Whom while, we presume, trying to convince ognized as people and not as a "category" LGBT issues, then everyone should be are we going to evangelize if this is the the world of the popularized notion and called for openness and dialogue on the writing letters to Rome. New Ways Min- way we act?” that the church can simultaneously istry wrote a letter to Francis, telling him hate the sin and love the sinner. As if part of the Church, recalling that the clo- He cautions against “ostentatious sure "always feeds homophobia." about the goodness and holiness of Catho-  the human mystery can be bifurcated Further information comes lic LGBT people and pastoral outreach to preoccupation” for liturgy and doctrine as and compartmentalized into portions from America magazine, which only weeks them here in the U.S. Would you consider opposed to ensuring that the Gospel has lovable and despisable. ago carried a groundbreaking interview writing your own thoughts to him? “a real impact” on people and engages Should the cardinal want respite with Francis where his remarks on homo- Second, if reaching out to the pope is “the concrete needs of the present time.” from the fight, he might take an even- sexuality were positive and welcoming. effective, perhaps it is time for Catholics Pope Francis may not be the radical ing or two and meet with some gay That publication reports on the Italian to reach out to their local church leaders, reformer that many have hoped for. But Catholics and their parents. Ask them group, Kairos of Florence: namely priests and bishops. Sharing per- for those who trust that the Holy Spirit is to tell their stories, ask them why they A leader of the impromptu committee sonal stories to replace philosophical con- moving among the laity of the church and stay in the church, ask them how they said as gay Catholics they had in the past structs with human faces and relationships who have longed for the possibility of pray, what they hold as their hopes and might lead to further conversions. written to other members of the church discussion of diversity of opinions, Pope dreams. Really listen, maybe even leadership in Italy and had always before Francis' pen-and-paper revolution is Francis’ project seems to open up a new truly radical, and transforms hierarchy make allowance for certitude to melt a been rewarded with silence… possibility of hope. bit.  The Kairos group said they also re- into personal relationships. It offers each Clearly, this is not the kind of pope ceived a letter from the Vatican Secretariat of us a moment to speak to the pope and that we had gotten used to over the last bishops as if they are our own parish of State, which informed them that Pope four decades. And clearly, this new docu- Read Bondings 2.0 Francis "really enjoyed" their letter to him priests. As the gay and lesbian Catholics ment is complex and layered.  www.NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com