B NDINGS Vol. 33, No. 3 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Fall 2013 Pope says Church ‘obsessed’ with gays, abortion & birth control

By Laurie Goodstein editor in chief of La Civiltà Cattolica, an ings have to be presented in a larger con- Youth Day. In a remark then that pro- The New York Times Italian Jesuit journal whose content is text. duced headlines worldwide, the new September 19, 2013 approved by the Vatican. Francis, the “I see the church as a field hospital pope said, “Who am I to judge?” At the first Jesuit to become a pope, agreed to after battle,” Francis said. “It is useless to time, some questioned whether he was Six months into his papacy, Pope grant the interview after requests from ask a seriously injured person if he has referring only to gays in the priesthood, Francis sent shock waves through the Father Spadaro and the editors of Ameri- high cholesterol and about the level of but in this interview he made clear that Roman Catholic church on Thursday ca, a Jesuit magazine based in New York. his blood sugars. You have to heal his he had been speaking of gay men and with the publication of his remarks that Father Spadaro conducted the inter- wounds. Then we can talk about every- lesbians in general. the church had grown “obsessed” with view during three meetings in August in thing else.” “A person once asked me, in a pro- abortion, gay marriage and contracep- the pope’s spartan quarters in Casa Santa From the outset of his papacy in vocative manner, if I approved of homo- tion, and that he had chosen not to talk Marta, the Vatican guesthouse, where March, Francis, who is 76, has chosen to sexuality,” he told Father Spadaro. “I about those issues despite recriminations Francis said he had chosen to live be- use the global spotlight to focus on the replied with another question: ‘Tell me: from critics. cause it is less isolated than the papal church’s mandate to serve the poor and when God looks at a gay person, does he His surprising comments came in a apartment in the Apostolic Palace. “I oppressed. He has washed the feet of endorse the existence of this person with lengthy interview in which he criticized love, or reject and condemn this person?’ the church for putting dogma before We must always consider the person.” love, and for prioritizing moral doctrines The interview also serves to present over serving the poor and marginalized. the pope as a human being, who loves He articulated his vision of an inclusive Mozart and Dostoyevsky and his grand- church, a “home for all” — which is a mother, and whose favorite film striking contrast with his predecessor, is Fellini’s “La Strada.” Pope Benedict XVI, the doctrinal de- Francis said some had assumed he fender who envisioned a smaller, purer was an “ultraconservative” because of church. his reputation when he served as the su- Francis told the interviewer, a fellow perior of his Jesuit province in Argenti- Jesuit: “It is not necessary to talk about na. He said that he was made superior at these issues all the time. The dogmatic the “crazy” young age of 36, and that his and moral teachings of the church are not leadership style was too authoritarian. all equivalent. The church’s pastoral “But I have never been a right- ministry cannot be obsessed with the winger,” he said. “It was my authoritari- transmission of a disjointed multitude of an way of making decisions that created doctrines to be imposed insistently. problems.” “We have to find a new balance,” Now, Francis said, he prefers a more the pope continued, “otherwise even the consultative leadership style. He has ap- moral edifice of the church is likely to pointed an advisory group of eight cardi- fall like a house of cards, losing the nals, a step he said was recommended by freshness and fragrance of the Gospel.” the cardinals at the conclave that elected The pope’s interview did not change him. They were demanding reform of the church doctrine or policies, but it instant- Pope Francis Vatican bureaucracy, he said, adding that ly changed its tone. His words evoked from the eight, “I want to see that this is gratitude and hope from many liberal a real, not ceremonial, consultation.” Catholics who had felt left out in the cold cannot live without people,” Francis told juvenile prisoners, visited a center for The pope said he has found it during the papacies of Benedict and his Father Spadaro. refugees and hugged disabled pilgrims at “amazing” to see complaints about “lack predecessor, John Paul II, which together The interview, kept under wraps for his audiences. His pastoral presence and of orthodoxy” flowing into the Vatican lasted 35 years. Some lapsed Catholics weeks by the Jesuits, was released simul- humble gestures have made him wildly offices in Rome from conservative Cath- suggested on social media a return to the taneously on Thursday morning by 16 popular among American Catholics, ac- olics around the world. They ask the Vat- church, and leaders of gay rights and gay Jesuit journals around the world. Francis cording to a recent Pew survey. ican to investigate or discipline their Catholic groups called on bishops to personally reviewed the Italian transcript, But there has been a low rumble of priests, bishops or nuns. Such com- abandon their fight against gay marriage. and it was translated by a team into Eng- discontent from some Catholic advocacy plaints, he said, “are better dealt with But it left conservative and tradition- lish, said the Rev. James Martin, an edi- groups, and even from some bishops, locally,” or else the Vatican offices risk alist Catholics, and those who have de- tor at large of America. who have taken note of his silence on becoming “institutions of censorship.” voted themselves to the struggles against “We have a great pope,” said Father abortion and gay marriage. This month, Asked what it means for him to abortion, gay marriage and artificial con- Spadaro in a phone interview from his Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, “think with the church,” a phrase used by traception, on the defensive, though office, surrounded by Italian journalists. R.I., told his diocesan newspaper that he the Jesuit founder St. Ignatius, Francis some cast it as nothing new. “There is a big vision, not a big shift. His was “a little bit disappointed in Pope said that it did not mean “thinking with “Nobody should try to use the words big vision is to see the church in the mid- Francis” because he had not spoken the hierarchy of the church.” of the pope to minimize the urgent need dle of the persons who need to be healed. about abortion. “Many people have no- “This church with which we should to preach and teach about abortion,” said It is in the middle of the world.” ticed that,” he said. be thinking is the home of all, not a small the Rev. Frank Pavone, national director The pope’s words are likely to have The interview is the first time Fran- chapel that can hold only a small group of Priests for Life, who said he spoke repercussions in a church whose bishops cis has explained the reasoning behind of selected people,” he said. “We must Thursday about the “priority of the abor- and priests in many countries, including both his actions and omissions. He also not reduce the bosom of the universal tion issue” at a Vatican conference. the United States, have often seemed to expanded on the comments he made church to a nest protecting our mediocri- The interview with Francis was con- make combating abortion, gay marriage about homosexuality in July, on an air- ty.”  ducted by the Rev. Antonio Spadaro, and contraception their top public policy plane returning to Rome from Rio de priorities. Francis said that those teach- Janeiro, where he had celebrated World On gay priests, Pope Francis asks, ‘Who am I to judge?’

By Rachel Donadio to judge?” Francis told reporters, speak- “It’s not a great opening in terms of proach doctrine. While Benedict, the shy The New York Times ing in Italian but using the English word contents, but the fact that he talked about theologian, focused more on ethics and July 29, 2013 “gay.” it that way is a great novelty,” said Paolo advocated a purer church, even if it Francis’s words could not have been Rodari, a Vatican expert at the Italian might end up being smaller, Francis was ROME — For generations, homo- more different from those of Benedict daily La Repubblica. Francis would elected for his belief that the Catholic sexuality has largely been a taboo topic XVI, who in 2005 wrote that homosexu- probably agree with Benedict’s writings Church must engage in dialogue with the for the Vatican, ignored altogether or ality was “a strong tendency ordered on homosexuality, he added, “but it world — even with those it disagrees treated as “an intrinsic moral evil,” in the toward an intrinsic moral evil,” and an doesn’t interest him.” with — if it wants to stay vibrant and words of the previous pope. “objective disorder.” The church docu- “It interests him to say that the prob- relevant. In that context, brief remarks by ment said men with “deep-seated homo- lem in the end isn’t if someone has this “At a certain point, tone becomes Pope Francis suggesting that he would sexual tendencies” should not become tendency, the important thing is to live in substance if it’s seen as revitalizing the not judge priests for their sexual orienta- priests. the light of God,” Mr. Rodari said. “Said prospects of the church,” said John L. tion, made aboard the papal airplane on Vatican experts were quick to point by a pope, it’s enormous.” Allen, Jr., a Vatican expert at The Na- the way back from his first foreign trip, out that Francis was not suggesting that Francis also told reporters that while tional Catholic Reporter. to Brazil, resonated through the church. the priests or anyone else should act on Pope John Paul II had definitively closed In Benedict’s more subdued 2007 Never veering from church doctrine op- their homosexual tendencies, which the the door to female priests, he sought a visit to Brazil, where Evangelical posing homosexuality, Francis did strike church considers a sin. But the fact that “theology of women” and a greater role churches are making rapid inroads in the a more compassionate tone than that of he made such comments — and used the for them in Catholic life, news reports Catholic majority, he delivered speeches his predecessors, some of whom had word “gay” — was nevertheless revolu- said. to bishops about how to respond to post- largely avoided even saying the more tionary, and likely to generate significant The pope’s comments on homosexu- modern society. colloquial “gay.” discussion in local dioceses, where bish- als and women in the church were yet In contrast, Francis spoke on the “If someone is gay and he searches ops are divided over whether to accept another sign of the different directions beach, engaged with the masses and was for the Lord and has good will, who am I priests who are gay but celibate. from which Benedict and Francis ap- (Continued on page 6) Page 2 BONDINGS Vol. 33, No. 3

B NDINGS Illinois bishop faces challenging audience Fall 2013 Vol. 33, No. 3 at talk on same-sex marriage By Michael Clancy The first person to speak, Brian Dugan of Green Val- The National Catholic Reporter ley, near the Mexico border, said Paprocki, who holds de- Francis DeBernardo, Editor June 4, 2013 grees in canon and civil law, sounded legalistic while Gramick sounded compassionate. Board of Directors Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Ill., walked Paprocki said Gramick presented her case from an Mary Byers into a beehive when he agreed to speak about same-sex emotional position while he said the church's stance comes Jeannine Gramick, SL marriage before a small audience in Phoenix over the from the position of faith and reason. Ryan Sattler weekend. But at least the bishop was there, taking the "My position is not a question of anecdotal stories," he stings. said. Board of Advisors Paprocki joined Sr. Jeannine Gramick, a longtime In response to a question from Kaiser, Paprocki said Cornelius Hubbuch, CFX advocate for gay and lesbian people, on the stage Friday in the church would love to welcome gay people but is forced Anna Koop, SL front of about 150 people at Shadow Rock United Church into a defensive position by "activists pushing an agenda." Louise Lears, SC of Christ. That set off Gray, who has a gay son, again. Anthony LoGalbo, OFM The presentation, organized by Robert Blair Kaiser "Here I am," she said. "The big scary gay agenda." Claire Pluecker and his group, Jesuit Paprocki said he could Alumni in Arizona, fea- accept some legal protec- tured opening remarks tions for same-sex couples, Staff from Paprocki and but that same-sex marriage Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director Gramick, then questions is "inimical to the common Matthew Myers, Associate Director from the audience. good" and civil unions Robert Shine, Social Media Coordinator Paprocki understood often are marriage mas- he would be facing a querading under another Co-Founders challenging, if not hos- name. Sr. Jeannine Gramick, SL tile, audience. Recent Gray, an attorney, finally Rev. Robert Nugent, SDS public opinion polls have got her chance to address shown the majority of Paprocki directly. Bondings is a seasonal publication designed Catholics now sup- "It is all about anecdotal to keep our subscribers informed of issues port same-sex marriage. stories," she said. "My son that pertain to lesbian and gay people Paprocki told the is a perfect human being. and the Catholic Church. audience that the murder There is nothing intrinsi- of his former church sec- cally disordered about him. retary, Mary Stachowicz, I know because I am his Founded in 1977, New Ways Ministry whose killer was a gay mother." is an educational and bridge-building man, got little media She said if bishops wanted ministry of reconciliation between the Cath- attention compared to the Sister Jeannine Gramick Bishop Thomas Paprocki to argue for traditional olic gay and lesbian community 1998 homicide of Mat- marriage because the sexes are complementary, then the and the institutional structures thew Shepard, a gay Wyoming teen killed in a hate crime. bishops ought to invite women to their deliberations. in the Roman Catholic Church. Paprocki said the power of the gay lobby and favorable "You need to listen to mothers," she said. media reaction accounted for the difference. By this time, not a single question was addressed to New Ways Ministry seeks to eradicate He said the "gay activist lobby" forced the issue on the Gramick, and none would be. prevalent myths and stereotypes church and put the church in a defensive position. Still, he One audience member asked the bishop how he about homosexuality and supports civil said, the church has one position, and it does not change. viewed King David's relationship with two wives if mar- rights for lesbian and gay persons in society. "This event was billed as 'Two Catholic Views of Gay riage has not changed through history. Paprocki said that Marriage,' " he said. "But there is only one view that is was a long time before the Catholic Church and said the authentically Catholic. The other view is dissenting." questioner was arguing for polygamy. New Ways Ministry He quoted from Pope John Paul II's letters and teach- Another audience member asked about marriage be- 4012 29th Street ings and added that marriage is defined by "the potential to tween elderly people who would never have children. Pap- bring forth human life." rocki recommended reading the biblical story of Abra- Mount Rainier, Maryland 20712 As Paprocki was speaking, one audience member, ham's wife, Sarah, who got pregnant at an old age. (301) 277-5674 Anne Gray of Scottsdale, Ariz., shouted, "That's insulting." One of the youngest people in the room said she was a [email protected] Paprocki ignored her. devout Catholic, but when her aunt and sister told her they NewWaysMinistry.org He said if same-sex marriage is allowed, sadomaso- were gay, she was put on the spot. She asked Paprocki if NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com chism or other practices should be, too. she could remain a good Catholic and still support her fam- "If there is no moral truth, only alternatives, then eve- ily members in their desires to form lifelong relationships. rything should be OK," he said. "It is a struggle to be a good Catholic while supporting Gramick reflected on changes in her own attitudes, gay marriage," the bishop said. "It strains your relationship attitudes of the public and attitudes of the church hierar- with the church." chy. She said more and more church leaders are moving He said those who oppose the church on the issue toward support of at least civil unions. should become Protestants. "They do a lot of good things TO SUBSCRIBE Referring to Paprocki's remark that morality cannot be too," he said. based on polls, she said, "We may not legislate on the basis Two issues did not come up: the Boy Scouts' recent COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORM of polls, but they tell us what people are thinking." policy change allowing gay scouts and Paprocki's role on She said polls show Catholics' opinions have moved the three-bishop panel overseeing Vatican-imposed chang- from opposition to same-sex marriage to approval in a es to the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. Enclosed is: short time because nearly everyone has a gay friend, fami- The gathering broke up after two and a half hours, ly member or business associate. even though people were lined up to talk to Paprocki.  _____ $25.00 in the US or Canada Then the questions started, and the bees started to sting. _____ $35.00 outside US or Canada

_____ I wish to receive Bondings, but cannot donate at this time. Pope Francis’ letter-writing revolution

Name ______requires our involvement

______Address By Bob Shine ‘category’ and called for openness and dialogue on the

Bondings 2.0 part of the Church, recalling that the closure ‘always feeds ______City NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com homophobia.’ “

October 10, 2013 Further information comes from America magazine, ______State which only weeks ago carried a groundbreaking interview

Pope Francis makes headline after headline for per- with Pope Francis where his remarks on homosexuality ______DayPhone sonally reaching out through letters and phone calls to were positive and welcoming, which reports:

people who have written to him, and speaking pastorally “A leader of the impromptu committee said as gay ______Night Phone with them. The Italian newspaper La Repubblica now re- Catholics they had in the past written to other members of

ports that the pope sent a handwritten reply to a group of the church leadership in Italy and had always before been ______Cell Phone gay and lesbian Catholics in Italy, and the original letter rewarded with silence… may have prompted the pope’s recent warm re- “The Kairos group said they also received a letter marks on LGBT people. from the Vatican Secretariat of State, which informed Please make check payable to “New Ways La Repubblica writes (based on a Google translation): them that Pope Francis ‘really enjoyed’ their letter to him Ministry”. Outside the US, please use only “Pen and paper. Among the many revolutions made and the way it was written, calling it an act of checks drawn on a US bank in US dollars or by Pope Bergoglio, in addition to phone calls home to ‘spontaneous confidence.’ go to www.newwaysministry.org. ordinary people…there is also the ‘post effect,’ the moun- “One Kairos leader said Pope Francis had also as- tain of letters delivered every day at his residence in Santa sured the group of his blessing, something they could not Mail to: Marta, and sent directly to him… before have imagined happening. The members of Kairos New Ways Ministry “Some people think it may have been one of these have decided to keep the rest of the message of both let- 4012 29th Street ‘messages in a bottle’ that inspired the breakthrough of ters private.” Mount Rainier, MD 20712 Bergoglio about gays. A letter sent in June to the Pope by When New Ways Ministry led a pilgrimage to Italy in various Italian gay Catholics…where gays and lesbians 2011, the Kairos group met with our American travelers asked Francis to be recognized as people and not as a (Continued on page 5) Fall 2013 BONDINGS Page 3 U.S. Supreme Court’s Marriage Decisions The Bishops Aren't Happy, But the People in the Pews Are

By Francis DeBernardo portive of marriage rights for gay and life. Similarly, all people must be treated tity plays in their support for the issue. Advocate.com lesbian couples. Polls consistently show equally under the law, with a special They are often the most effective force in July 3, 2013 that U.S. Catholics are ahead of the gen- preference to protect those who have neutralizing the often harsh critiques that eral population in their support of mar- been marginalized or ostracized. come from a state’s Catholic bishops. The Supreme Court’s decisions last riage equality. The Public Religion Re- As LGBT issues became more They are certainly the most effective week that a major part of the Defense of search Institute found in 2011 that 71% prominent in society and in church cir- persuaders of Catholics who might be Marriage Act is unconstitutional and that of Catholics favor civil marriage for les- cles, it did not take long for Catholics to confused or “on the fence” about the marriage equality should be revived in bian and gay couples, higher than any see that the justice tradition needed to be issue. California were not welcomed by the other mainline Christian denomination. applied to the various social and legal These Supreme Court decisions are U.S. Roman Catholic bishops, who de- More recently, a 2013 Pew Research situations involving sexual minorities. definitely not the final word on marriage scribed the court’s actions as “tragic.” Center survey of 39 nations found that This moral tradition attaches great im- equality in our nation. Much work re- However, the people in the pews of the most accepting countries are those portance to increased access to health mains to be done. And Catholics will be Catholic parishes across the country have that have been traditionally Catholic. care benefits, protection of children, dig- part of that work in state and national been ecstatic that these major injustices For those not familiar with Catholi- nity in end-of-life choices, and, most campaigns to facilitate marriage equality against their lesbian and gay friends and cism, and who mainly hear the widely importantly, the promotion of stable fam- and to end other injustices against LGBT family members are now dissolved. For broadcast messages of the bishops, statis- ily units — all of which are expanded people, such as discriminatory immigra- these lay Catholics, the court’s rulings tics such as these may come as a sur- when marriage equality legislation is tion policies. Catholics will stand with feel like, in the words of the prophet prise. But for Catholics, supporting enacted. Catholics know too that we can those of other faiths to show that reli- Amos, “justice rolling down like a river.” LGBT equality is connected to a funda- only have a stable society when all fami- gious people do not support discrimina- It has been well documented recent- mental part of their faith: the tradition of lies are treated fairly and equally under tion. ly that a yawning gap exists between the social justice. For more than a century, the law. Catholics also have a lot of work to opinions of lay Catholics and their bish- official Catholic teaching has stressed the So, far from being “bad” Catholics, do within our own church. Many of us ops on the issue of marriage equality. principles that all human beings are born these people were living up to some of are ashamed and dismayed that our bish- Survey after survey has shown that ordi- with inherent dignity and must be re- the most cherished principles of Catholic ops are often the most vocal opponents nary Catholics are overwhelmingly sup- spected, no matter what their condition in teaching. Indeed, Catholics work for of marriage equality. Their statements marriage equality and LGBT rights be- often reveal a stunning ignorance of les- cause of the faith they profess, not in bian and gay lives and a lack of compas- spite of it. sion that is unbecoming of faith leaders. Catholic lay people across the U.S. Their ideas about sexuality and relation- and in California have worked hard to ships are too often learned from theories support their deeply held Catholic belief they have studied in theology and philos- that equal treatment by our government’s ophy, and not from the real-life experi- laws should be extended to lesbian and ences of the people that they are charged gay couples who want to marry. When to lead. we look at the states that have enacted Catholics pray that the recent Su- marriage equality laws, quite a few have preme Court decisions will open our been led by supportive Catholic gover- bishops’ eyes so that they will at least nors: John Baldacci (Maine), Andrew meet and dialogue with lesbian and gay Cuomo (New York), Christine Gregoire Catholics and their families. If the bish- (Washington State), John Lynch (New ops would do this, they would witness Hampshire), and Martin O’Malley firsthand how the gospel of justice and (Maryland). Catholic governor Pat Quinn love they preach is lived and practiced in of Illinois signed a civil unions bill and is so many caring families headed by gay working to be able to sign a marriage and lesbian couples.  equality bill. And it was Catholic vice president Joe Biden whose supportive Francis DeBernardo, executive di- statement on marriage equality pushed rector of New Ways Ministry, is the au- President Obama to do likewise. thor of Marriage Equality: A Positive Catholics have been working on Catholic Approach. He blogs on Catholic state campaigns, often forming under a LGBT issues at Bondings 2.0. “Catholics for Marriage Equality” banner U.S. Supreme Court to highlight the role that their faith iden- It's time to recognize secular same-sex marriage By Rev. Frank Brennan, SJ between one man and one woman as to the union of two persons of the same need to be mindful of the wellbeing and EurekaStreet.com husband and wife'. Writing for the major- gender, legislators should have regard dignity of these children as well as the Australia ity in US v.Windsor, Justice Kennedy not just for the wellbeing of same sex handful who will be up for adoption and July 11. 2013 striking down Congress' attempt to limit couples and the children already part of the unknown number in future who will marriage to the exclusive union of a man their family units, but also for the well- be created in a test tube. The US Supreme Court and our and a woman said: being of all future children who may be There has been a clear divergence of newly installed Prime Minister have put “It seems fair to conclude that, until affected, as well as the common good of view within the Catholic Church on civil their weight behind legal recognition of recent years, many citizens had not even society in setting appropriate contours unions as a means of doing justice and same sex marriage. considered the possibility that two per- for legally recognised relationships. according dignity to gay couples, while Kevin Rudd before resuming the sons of the same sex might aspire to oc- Same sex couples wanting to create leaving unanswered the questions about prime ministership wrote that he had cupy the same status and dignity as that their own children may in the forseeable adopted children and children created 'come to the conclusion that church and of a man and woman in lawful marriage. future be able to use only their own ge- with advancing reproductive technology, state can have different positions and For marriage between a man and a wom- netic material, precluding the possibility and maintaining a distinction from mar- practices on the question of same sex an no doubt had been thought of by most that such children will have a biological riage even in civil terms. marriage. I believe the secular Australian people as essential to the very definition father and a biological mother. Whether In June 2012, Coleridge had written state should be able to recognise same of that term and to its role and function or not we legislate for same sex mar- to Campbell Newman, the new Premier sex marriage. I also believe that this throughout the history of civilisation.” riage, we should restrict artificial repro- of Queensland, urging a repeal of the law change should legally exempt religious Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president duction of children such that they will recognising civil partnerships. He spoke institutions from any requirement to of the US Conference of Catholic Bish- have a biological father and a biological of 'the evidence that seems to be emerg- change their historic position and prac- ops, described the Supreme Court deci- mother, and hopefully able to be known ing ... that there is a slippery slope from tice that marriage is exclusively between sions as a 'tragic day for marriage and by them. registration to civil partnerships to same- a man and a woman.' our nation', saying, 'The Court got it Legislators making laws regarding sex marriage. I would urge you therefore Change is still some way off here in wrong. The federal government ought to adoption ought be able to demand that to honour the promise made before the Australia and the arguments are still a respect the truth that marriage is the un- adoption agencies continue to consider election — to repeal the civil partner- little confused. But change is coming. ion of one man and one woman, even the best interests of the child. In the case ships legislation in order to safeguard On 26 June 2013, the US Supreme where states fail to do so.' He and his of a child unrelated to any prospective marriage and the family as they have Court gave two decisions impacting on fellow bishops said, 'Marriage is the only adopting couple, the adoption agency been known through the millennia.' same sex marriage under a constitution instituion that brings together a man and ought to be able to have regard to the On Q&A Coleridge then said: which vests in the states, and not Con- a woman for life, providing any child desirability of a child being brought up in “But what the Church has to do is to gress, the power to make laws with re- who comes from their union with the a family with an adult male and an adult remain faithful to our understanding of spect to marriage. Here in Australia, the secure foundation of a mother and a fa- female. homosexuality and yet, at the same time, Commonwealth Parliament, and not any ther.' If these concerns were met or at least to work in every way we can to ensure state parliament, has the overriding pow- Australia's bishops have been fairly weighed in the balance against the claims justice for homosexual people. Now, er to make laws with respect to marriage. quiet on this issue. But in April, Austral- of children already in same sex families clearly this doesn't mean to say, for in- So Australian states are not assured the ia's most theologically literate bishop deserving respect and nurture by the state stance, that we support gay marriage. constitutional mandate to go it on their Mark Coleridge appeared on the and society, society could properly move The Church's position on that is very own. ABC Q&A opposing not just same sex to recognition of civil unions or same sex well known and controversial. But in One of the US Supreme Court deci- marriage but any civil recognition of marriage if and when the overwhelming every other way, to work to defend the sions cleared the way for same sex mar- same sex unions, describing homosexual- majority of the population (including dignity of homosexual people, just as we riage in California, the 12th state of the ity as 'a warp in the creation' and as an those who are presently married civilly) work to defend the dignity of other peo- union to recognise such marriages, and impossibility in God's plan. supported such change. ple. the other struck down the Congress' De- It is high time to draw a distinction In the US proceedings, the Court “How to do that and to maintain fense of Marriage Act which provided between a marriage recognised by civil was told that there are already 40,000 fidelity to our understanding of homo- that in all federal rules and rulings 'the law and a sacramental marriage. In de- children in California alone who are be- sexuality, which is grounded upon a par- word 'marriage' means only a legal union ciding whether to expand civil marriage ing brought up by same sex couples. We (Continued on page 8) Page 4 BONDINGS Vol. 33, No. 3 Catholic colleges respond to demand for LGBTQ resources

By Cat Zakrzewski dedicated to LGBTQ issues. She noted USA Today ideas about gay rights often differ at September 5,. 2013 Catholic universities, such as Notre Dame, and Jesuit schools, such as While some University of Notre Georgetown. The Jesuits, the order of Dame students wondered what was go- priests that runs Georgetown, are known ing on when they walked by 140 students for being more progressive than other at a picnic last week, Student Govern- Catholic religious orders. ment President Alex Coccia knew they High-profile Jesuit schools such as were making history. Boston College and Fordham University, For decades, Notre Dame students however, do not have full-time staff had advocated for a university- members devoted specifically to LGBTQ recognized gay-straight alliance. Al- issues. Fordham offers LGBT and Ally though many graduated without ever Network of Support training, but junior seeing their goal realized, last Thurs- Sarah Lyons says many students feel the day PrismND held its inaugural event. school's programming is "inadequate." "It really just seems like an awe- She says student efforts are under- some community," Coccia says. way to bring resources like those at The senior has worked since his Georgetown and now Notre Dame to sophomore year to advocate for more Fordham. campus dialogue about sexual orienta- "Fordham definitely could do that," tion, working with a group of students to Lyons says. "It's just that we haven't yet. collect 192 testimonials about issues However, she says Pope Francis' affecting LGBTQ students — those who Alex Coccia Shiva Subbaraman comments this summer about not judging are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or gays created a "more positive push" for questioning. LGBT rights in the Catholic Church. On The university recognized the gay- the largest endowment of any LGBTQ orientation through campus education. campus, she sees progress with the ad- straight alliance and hired a full-time resource center in the country, director "I think a lot of it comes in with a ministration's recent decision to lift the staff member to coordinate resources for Sivagami Subbaraman says the program- misunderstanding of what the Catholic ban on the word "queer" from campus LGBTQ students last week, marking a ming's legitimacy in a Catholic universi- Church's teachings are," she says. "What posters. milestone for the gay rights movement at ty is constantly questioned. we're doing actually doesn't counter or Back at Notre Dame, the momentum Catholic universities. Because of their religions, LGBTQ go against any of the Catholic Church's is just beginning for PrismND. At a stu- Notre Dame isn't the only school resources at Georgetown and Notre teachings." dent activity fair on Tuesday, Coccia touched by the movement. Similar alli- Dame differ from those at universities Georgetown's center aims to meet says close to 200 students registered to ances have sprung up at many of the that are not Catholic. For example, nei- students where they are, rather than take receive more information about the Catholic colleges and universities in the ther school distributes condoms or teach- theological positions or attempt to group. As the group makes significant U.S. Five years ago, Georgetown Uni- es safe sex practices to any students, change Catholic teachings, Subbaraman strides in its first week, he says the best versity became the first Catholic school regardless of sexual orientation. says. part has been hearing from alumni from to open an LGBTQ resource center. Loy- Since moving into her new position, "We are not only a Catholic institu- the past two decades who pushed for this ola Marymount University and DePaul Maureen Doyle is still determining what tion," she says. "We are an educational group to be recognized. University have also both hired full-time her role will be as Notre Dame's first institution in the 21st century." "The people who had worked on this staff members dedicated to LGBTQ stu- assistant director of LGBTQ concerns. Subbaraman says she is impressed for so long can hopefully feel like they dent services. She plans to improve perceived tensions Notre Dame joined the small group of were responsible for this," Coccia says. Although Georgetown's center has between Catholic teachings and sexual Catholic universities with full-time staff "Because each one definitely was."  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 Nebraska Greensburg: Seton Hill University Mobile: Spring Hill College Davenport: St. Ambrose University Omaha: Creighton University Philadelphia: Chestnut Hill College, Dubuque: Loras College LaSalle University, St. Joseph’s California New Hampshire University Belmont: Notre Dame de Namur University Kentucky Manchester: St. Anselm College Pittsburgh: Carlow University, Goleta: St. Mark’s University Louisville: Spalding University, Nashua: Rivier College Duquesne University Los Angeles: Loyola Marymount Universi- Bellarmine University Radnor: Cabrini College ty, Mount Saint Mary’s College New Jersey Reading: Alvernia University Moraga: St. Mary’s College Louisiana Caldwell: Caldwell College Scranton: Marywood University Oakland: Holy Names University New Orleans: Loyola University Jersey City: St. Peter’s College Villanova: Villanova University Ranchos Palos Verde: Marymount College South Orange: Seton Hall San Diego: University of San Diego Maryland Rhode Island San Francisco: University of San Baltimore: Notre Dame of New York Newport: Salve Regina University Francisco Maryland University, Albany: College of Saint Rose Providence: Providence College Santa Clara: Santa Clara University Loyola University of Maryland Brooklyn and Patchogue: St. Joseph College Texas Colorado Massachusetts Bronx: Fordham University, Austin: Saint Edward’s University Denver: Regis University Boston: Emmanuel College, Manhattan College San Antonio: University of the Incarnate Chestnut Hill: Boston College Buffalo: Canisius College Word, Our Lady of the Lake Connecticut Chicopee: Elms College Loudonville: Sienna College University Fairfield: Fairfield University, Easton: Stonehill College New Rochelle: College of New Rochelle, Sacred Heart University North Andover: Merrimack College Iona College Vermont New Haven: Albertus Magnus College Weston: Regis College Poughkeepsie: Marist College Colchester: Saint Michael’s College West Hartford: Saint Joseph College Worcester: Assumption College, Riverdale: College of Mount St. Vincent College of the Holy Cross Rochester: St. John Fisher College Washington District of Columbia St. Bonaventure: St. Bonaventure Lacey: St. Martin’s College Georgetown University, Trinity University Michigan University Seattle: Seattle University Detroit: University of Detroit Mercy Sparkill: St. Thomas Aquinas College Spokane: Gonzaga University Florida Grand Rapids: Aquinas College Syracuse: LeMoyne College Miami Gardens: St. Thomas University Queens: St. John’s University West Virginia Miami Shores: Barry University Minnesota Wheeling: Wheeling Jesuit University Collegeville: St. John’s University Ohio Hawaii Duluth: College of St. Scholastica Cincinnati: Xavier University Wisconsin Honolulu: Chaminade University Minneapolis: College of St. Catherine Cleveland Heights: John Carroll University De Pere: St. Norbert College St. Joseph: College of Saint Benedict Dayton: University of Dayton Madison: Edgewood College Illinois St. Paul: St. Thomas University Pepper Pike: Ursuline College Milwaukee: Alverno College, Chicago: DePaul University, Loyola Uni- Winona: St. Mary’s University of South Euclid: Notre Dame College Cardinal Stritch University, versity, St. Xavier University Minnesota Sylvania: Lourdes College Marquette University Joliet: University of St. Francis River Forest: Dominican University in Illi- Missouri Oregon Canada nois Kansas City: Avila University, Marylhurst: Marylhurst University Toronto: Regis College Romeoville: Lewis University Rockhurst University Portland: University of Portland St. Louis: Fontbonne University, Indiana St. Louis University Pennsylvania Notre Dame: Holy Cross College, St. Cresson: Mount Aloysius College Mary’s College, Univ. of Notre Dame Montana Dallas: Misericordia University Helena: Carroll College Erie: Mercyhurst College Fall 2013 BONDINGS Page 5 Forget the Pope, Catholic universities are the future of the Church By Mark Joseph Stern conservative, even somewhat homopho- pro-choice. Yet after the march, the ad- benefit of gay students. Some Slate.com bic throughout the first decade of this ministration caved and established an Georgetown Jesuits have even joined September 20. 2013 century, even as other college campuses LGBTQ resource center, the very first of Catholics for Equality, a deeply religious were leading the way on gay rights. Anti- its kind at any Catholic university any- group that promotes Catholic acceptance Pope Francis confirmed widespread gay hate crimes on campus and through- where. of same-sex marriage. suspicions of his liberal sympathies yes- out the surrounding neighborhoods were During negotiations for the center, Today, gay rights has receded as a terday with the publication of a wide- distressingly com- flashpoint at Georgetown; an increasing ranging interview that sent progressives mon, and the number of LGBTQ students come to the into fits of jubilation and conservatives school did little to school each year, and the current student into rationalization and revisionism. Per- address the under- body president is, uncontroversially, gay. haps most controversially, the pope also lying problem, or (Georgetown, however, is not the first took a step forward on homosexuality, even to confront Catholic school to boast a gay student fretting that the church was “obsessed” the violence at leader. Catholic University, also in with gay marriage and needed instead to hand. In fact, for Washington, D.C., beat them to it.) remember God’s love of gay people. most of the dec- There are still debates between progres- Doctrinally speaking, the statement ade, Georgetown sives and conservatives on the issue, still wasn’t a sea change, but the underlying had no administra- Jesuits who resist the change. On the message undeniably indicates what my tive liaison to the whole, however, the university has man- colleague William Saletan labeled LGBTQ communi- aged a comfortable equilibrium between “creeping tolerance.” ty, no resource social progressivism and Catholic devo- It’s impossible to deny the im- center for LGBTQ tion, thanks in large part to its very Jesuit portance of the pope’s words, especially students—really, tradition of questioning, discussing, and, on the issue of gay rights. But it’s also no apparent con- eventually, reforming. easy to overpraise them. His newfound cern for the well- Was Pope Francis influenced by the tolerance didn’t develop in a vacuum, being of its non- kind of Catholic tolerance that developed and it’s probably not shared by many in straight students. at colleges like Georgetown? No one can the upper echelons of the Vatican hierar- But in 2007, a say for sure—but it seems likely. In fact, chy. Rather, Pope Francis’ remarks seem group of students, protesting a recent gay students had a crucial ally: the Jesu- given that Francis is a Jesuit himself, the more or less ripped from the playbook of spate of hate crimes, marched into the its. A famously freethinking contingent, most surprising facet of his “creeping certain Catholic universities in the Unit- university president’s office and de- the Jesuits have often been a step ahead tolerance” is that it took so long to devel- ed States—and, more specifically, the manded recognition. Because of Catholic of the hierarchy on social and political op. For many prominent and pious Cath- Jesuits who run them. teaching, most students thought the mis- issues. It was logical, then, for myriad olics, gay acceptance is virtually a nonis- Consider Georgetown University. sion was quixotic at best; after all, a dec- Jesuits to join the chorus for greater sue. It’s about time the Vatican caught The school—which, full disclosure, is ade earlier, the Vatican had forced the LGBTQ tolerance at the school, arguing up.  my alma mater—remained identifiably school to defund a student club for being against official church doctrine for the Catholics should support Boy Scouts' decision on sexual orientation

By Rev. Peter Daly In our parish, there will be no deserves condemnation from the would no doubt demand that I condemn The National Catholic Reporter change. Our Scouting program will con- Church's pastors wherever it occurs. . . . all homosexual acts as immoral. They July 1, 2013 tinue as before. I am glad. We have a The intrinsic dignity of every person would want pastors to insist that all gay wonderful Scout troop with about 80 must always be respected in word, in boys must learn to carry their unique The Scouts did the right thing. boys. This year, we already have hon- action and in law." cross of perpetual life-long chastity, a On May 23, the Boy Scouts of ored eight new Eagle Scouts. By the end Growing up is hard enough without burden we would never dream of impos- America National Council voted to of the year, we will have perhaps as an added layer of fear and discrimina- ing on heterosexuals. They would want change the Scouts' membership policy. It many as 14 new Eagle Scouts. tion. me to say that all gay acts are evil and all removed the restriction on membership If you come to one of their troop Gay boys are no different from any inclinations are intrinsically disordered. based on sexual orientation. In other meetings on Sunday afternoons, you other boys. They are experiencing their Well, let them say it. Let them say it words, they will now allow boys who are would think you had stepped into a Nor- maturation in fits and starts. They are to those boys who tried to commit sui- openly gay to be Scouts. Good. man Rockwell painting. The boys actual- discovering what it is to be a man. They cide. Let them say it to the frightened That decision is consistent with the ly are what the Scout Law says: trust- are figuring out what it means to love. If little Scout who is still figuring out him- principles of Scouting. It is also con- worthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courte- the boy is a Catholic, he is also discover- self. sistent with the teaching of the Catholic ous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, ing what it is to be a follower of Jesus It is easy to be some ivory-tower church. brave, clean and reverent. (Well, truth be Christ. That is hard for us all, whether theologian writing in the abstract. They The BSA vote came after the most told, maybe they are not always clean. we are hetero or homosexual, but there is are not speaking as pastors or parents or extensive study and discussion ever held But they are boys, after all.) an added layer of difficulty for gay ado- Scout leaders. There is truth in lived ex- for any rule change. It involved local When our Boy Scouts meet in our lescents. I've witnessed this in my own perience, too, just as much as in theories. councils, the National Council, sponsor- parish hall, they carry in the American ministry. That is real "ontological" truth. ing organizations (like our church), par- flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and Three times in my 27 years as a People who actually deal with gay ents and Scouts. It also involved funding say the Scout Oath. Then they go to priest, I have had to sit across the room youth know the Scouts did the right sources and legal advisers. work on their projects. They go camping, from young men who tried to commit thing. Scouting officials stressed that they get merit badges, build fires, tie knots, suicide because they were gay. Three The Catholic church should support were putting kids first. make balsa wood cars, and horse around; times, I have heard their anguish as they them.  "Boys are better off in scouting than exactly the same as Scouts did when I told me that their church regarded them out of it," they said at the press confer- was a Scout a half-century ago. as "intrinsically disordered" and their Rev. Peter Daly is a priest at the ence announcing their decision. Each spring we observe Scout Sun- love as seriously immoral. Three times I Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., and There was no change in the policy day. Our Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and have had to hear them say that part of the has been pastor of St. John Vianney par- regarding the behavior of Scouts or Tiger Scouts, process into Mass in their reason for their despair was our preach- ish in Prince Frederick, Md., since 1994 Scout leaders. There is still an absolute uniforms, together with all our Girl ing. prohibition on all sexual activity, wheth- Scouts, Brownies and Daisies. The par- Conservative Catholic theologians er hetero or homosexual. A Scout still ents beam and snap pictures. The parish must be "physically strong, mentally applauds. We are proud of them. They awake, and morally straight," even if he are just nice kids. Pope’s letter-writing revolution is gay. After the rule change, I sent our On June 3, the National Catholic Scout leaders a letter saying there was no Committee on Scouting supported the change in our relationship to Scouting requires our involvement decision of the BSA. Edward Martin, the and no change in the behavior we ex- committee's national chairman, said the pected of Scouts. We still expected eve- (Continued from page 2) goodness and holiness of Catholic LGBT new policy to accept boys who are open- ryone to be chaste, boys and leaders. to share stories and perspectives. Francis people and pastoral outreach to them ly gay is "not in conflict with Catholic But one important thing has DeBernardo, our executive director, is here in the U.S. Would you consider teaching." To be sure, Martin's statement changed: Boys can now be honest about contacting them currently to learn more writing your own thoughts to him? was tepid support, but support nonethe- themselves to others without fear of re- about this papal letter. If we receive Second, if reaching out to the pope less. prisal by the Scout leaders. more information from them about the is effective, perhaps it is time for Catho- The Catholic Committee on Scout- Let's face it: There have always been correspondence, we will update you. lics to reach out to their local Church ing followed Mormon and Methodist gay Scouts. Just like there have always While the contents of the pope’s leaders, namely priests and bishops. officials, who also said they would con- been gay men in the military and in the letter remain private, truly as if between Sharing personal stories to replace philo- tinue to support Scouting. Catholics are priesthood. In fact, we have always had a pastor and the people he serves, there sophical constructs with human faces the third-largest religious sponsor of some gay bishops, whether they want to are broader lessons for the LGBT and and relationships might lead to further Scout troops after the Mormons and the admit it or not. ally Catholic community in this experi- conversions. Methodists. What is different now for our boys is ence. The pen and paper revolution under- In press accounts, Martin cited Sec- that they no longer have to be afraid. First, the wisdom that relational en- way with Pope Francis offers each per- tion 2358 of the Catechism of the Catho- They do not have to be afraid of reprisals counters with people are the most effec- son an opportunity to write their own lic Church regarding the BSA policy. It and bullying. They do not have to be tive form of advocacy is relevant even message in the model of the Kairos of says: "Individuals who disclose a homo- afraid that if someone knows they are for the pope. If La Repubblica‘s conjec- Florence authors.  sexual inclination or a same-sex attrac- gay, they will be excluded or expelled. ture is correct that the personal letter tion are to be treated with the same dig- This is consistent with Catholic from Kairos of Florence led to Pope The pope’s mailing address: nity due all human beings created by church teaching. In 1986, then-Cardinal Francis’ “Who am I to judge?” and other God." Martin continued: "This teaching Joseph Ratzinger wrote for the Congre- comments that have greatly shifted the His Holiness, Pope Francis is followed in enrollment policies for gation for the Doctrine of the Faith: "It is Church’s tone on LGBT issues, then Apostolic Palace Catholic schools, for Catholic sports deplorable that homosexual persons have everyone should be writing letters to 00120 Vatican City programs, and for all programs of Catho- been and are the object of violent malice Rome. New Ways Ministry wrote a letter lic youth ministry." in speech or in action. Such treatment to Pope Francis, telling him about the Page 6 BONDINGS Vol. 33, No. 3 Catholic Pastor Explains Why am I in the Gay Pride parade?

By Rev. John D. Whitney, SJ The notion that all of nature is re- ness to accept the subjugation and op- came forward, sometimes with tears in St. Joseph Parish Bulletin deemed by the Incarnation of God in pression of homosexual persons. After their eyes, speaking of their longing to Seattle, Washington Christ is the source of the evangelical centuries in which homosexuality was feel welcomed again in the Church, in June 23, 2013 mission of the Church and the core of the viewed as a moral failure and homosexu- the Catholic faith of their childhood and Christian sense of Natural Law. If the als faced arrest, imprisonment, and even of their heart. Some, eventually, became You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish Spirit of God has made all things holy – death (e.g., the offensive term,“faggot,” is part of the St. Joseph community, and man to associate with, or visit, a Gentile, the whole natural order – than all people rooted in the historical phenomenon have found, at last, the sense of Church but God has shown me that I should not are called to salvation, by virtue of their where homosexuals were burned like they sought – gathering around the altar call any person profane or unclean. nature; and it is the work of the Church piles of wood, in punishment for their not only with people who share their —Acts of the Apostles 10:28 to notify all people of the inheritance in way of being), such parades have be- nature or character, but with people of all which we all come a means by types and persuasions. All of us sinners, When he enters the home of the Ro- share. In other which the dignity all of us saved by the same grace planted man centurion, Cornelius, St. Peter has words, as Chris- of homosexuals in our nature and redeemed by the sacri- no clear idea what God is asking of him. tians we are both can be asserted. fice of Christ. Certainly, he is aware of the dream he the heirs of God’s Last year, for This year, I am going to the Pride had, in which God seemed to remove the grace and the ex- the first time, Parade again, and I have supported St. dietary restrictions associated with the ecutors of God’s members of the St. Joseph’s presence in it, as well. I have Jewish Law; but what does Cornelius will; i.e., we are Joseph community done so not out of opposition to anyone; and his household have to do with this chosen in love and marched in the but, rather, in support of the sisters and dream? Only gradually does the Spirit called by love to Pride Parade to brothers of our community who seek to reveal to him – as leader of the Church – tell others that indicate our soli- live faithfully in the way that God has that God has already changed the world they, too, are cho- darity with and made them and the Spirit has called and that Peter is now being called to give sen and loved, not respect for our them. I am going to support the mothers witness to God’s action by welcoming because they can homosexual sisters and fathers, the sisters and brothers, the the Gentiles, as they are, into the fullness become like us and brothers. Like friends and companions of our gay and of communion in the Church. Not called but because they Peter entering the lesbian parishioners, who have pride in to create this communion (indeed, before already are like house of Cor- their daughters and sons and who long to he can baptize Cornelius or his house- God. Even nelius, it was a have them feel loved and welcomed at hold, God sends the Holy Spirit upon though, through moment that the table of Christ and in the body of the them, making the baptism a response to, the gospel, we would be consid- Church. I am going to evangelize, to bear not a source of, God’s grace), Peter’s preach repentance, ered unlawful and witness, by my presence and, if needed, role is one of witness to the widening we do not preach scandalous to by my words, that the Catholic Church, circle of love whose true origin is the the renunciation those who see founded by Christ, is not a place of ha- life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and of nature but the members of this tred and rejection; but a communion of whose sign is the power of the Holy embrace and affir- community as loved sinners called in humility to grow Spirit. The head of the apostles is called mation of each profane or un- and learn through the grace of the Holy to testify that God’s grace is greater than person’s truest Father John Whitney, SJ clean; yet, for me, Spirit. I am going to the parade because I the members of the Church can hope or self: our nature is and I believe for want to enter the house of Cornelius, imagine, and that their understanding of God’s grace in us, and sin is its denial. others who chose to be present in this where I have already seen the signs of the Church must continue to develop as Or, as St. Ireneus put it, “The glory of march, it was a moment of grace, when the Spirit; because I want those in whose the mystery of God’s redemptive love God is the human person fully alive, and we could witness the power of the Holy very nature is God’s blessing, to know continues to be revealed in all of nature the life of the human person is the vision Spirit moving in this community, so of- that Christ longs for them with mercy and in every culture. What surprises Pe- of God.” ten alienated from the Church of Christ. and with love, asking them not to hide or ter, what will become a starting point for On June 30, Seattle will host a Pride Was there sin at the Pride Parade, as reject their natural identity, but to see in Paul, and what continues to challenge the Parade as an affirmation of the value and some who object to marching say? Cer- that identity a way home to God.  Church even today is how vast the mercy rights of homosexual women and men. tainly, there was. I have yet to enter a of God is, a mercy that denies the notion Like many such parades around the Unit- street where sin is not present – not even Father John Whitney, SJ, is the pas- that anything which is human can be ed States and the world, the Seattle Pride when I walk by myself. Yet, if sin tor of St. Joseph Parish, Seattle, Wash- profane; a mercy that encompasses every Parade arose as a means by which mem- abounds, grace overflows all the ington. human heart, every aspect of human na- bers of the community – both gay and more (Romans 5:20). People cheered to ture. straight – could signal their unwilling- see the banner of St. Joseph Parish and On gay priests, Pope Francis asks, ‘Who am I to judge?’

(Continued from page 1) Brazilian student who slept on the beach embrace Francis. some gay people here. I think that when greeted like a rock star by followers en- Saturday night along with thousands of “This pope keeps renewing the we encounter a gay person, we must tranced by his approachable style and others in a vigil before the pope’s final church,” said Claudia Brandão, 30, a make the distinction between the fact of homespun folksy adages. (“You can al- Mass on Sunday, comparing Francis to housewife who traveled from Angola a person being gay and the fact of a lob- ways add more water to the beans,” he St. Peter. with her 9-month-old daughter. by, because lobbies are not good.” said at one point.) She said that the vigil, in which In 2007, “Benedict came and played An article in the Italian weekly L’E- More than a million people gathered many camped on the sands on pieces of the standard classical nocturne that he spresso this month alleged that one of for an open-air Mass on Copacabana cardboard, showed the energy that Fran- was famous for, and his devotees loved the advisers that Francis had appointed Beach on Sunday. At one event, bishops cis was bringing to the church in Brazil, it. Francis came and played the guitar in to look into the Vatican Bank, Msgr. danced on stage to upbeat music. The which has more Catholics than any other his very accessible style and the crowds Battista Ricca, had been accused of hav- spectacle was clearly aimed at competing country, an estimated 123 million. went wild,” said Mr. Allen, who traveled ing gay trysts when he was a Vatican with Evangelical churches that have a Despite missteps by organizers, in- to Brazil for both trips. diplomat in Uruguay. The pope told re- more “pop” style. cluding one that compromised security, Before he resigned in February, porters that nothing in the documentation “We can see the figure of Peter so the visit unfolded peacefully, giving Benedict’s papacy had been marked by he had seen substantiated the reports. near to us,” said Milena Rocha, 20, a many people a chance to glimpse or even scandals — a sexual abuse scandal, He added that such a lobby would a leaks scandal and trouble with the se- be an issue, but that he did not have any- cretive Vatican Bank. Francis, with his thing against gay people and that their New Publication style of radical simplicity and his direct sins should be forgiven like those of all manner, has shifted things. “He’s com- Catholics. Francis said that homosexuals Incompatible with God's Design pletely changed the narrative about the should be treated with dignity, and that church,” Mr. Allen said. “In five months, no one should be subjected to blackmail A History of the Women's Ordination Movement now the dominant Catholic story is or pressure because of sexual orientation. in the U.S. Roman Catholic Church ‘Charismatic Pope Takes World by “The problem isn’t having this ori- Storm.’ ” entation. The problem is making a lob- By Mary Jeremy Daigler During his papal trips, John Paul II by,” he said. loved to walk to the back of the plane In recent years, both Benedict and Incompatible with God’s Design is the first comprehensive history of the Roman and chat with reporters, while Benedict Francis have tried to make changes at the Catholic women’s ordination movement in the United States. Mary Jeremy Daigler only responded to a handful of preselect- Vatican Bank so that it meets interna- explores how the focus on ordination, and not merely “increased participation” in ed questions. Francis, on the overnight tional anti-money-laundering norms that the life and ministries of the church, has come to describe a broad movement. flight back to Rome from Rio de Janeiro, are a condition for using the euro. Moving well beyond the role of such organizations as the Women’s Ordination spoke freely to reporters for 80 minutes Asked about the bank, Francis said, Conference, this study also addresses the role of international and local groups. about everything from the Vatican Bank “Some say that it’s better to have a bank, troubles to his decision not to live in the others that it would be better to have a Mary Jeremy Daigler has been a visiting scholar at the Mount St. Agnes The- Apostolic Palace but rather in a Vatican fund, still others say to close it.” ological Center for Women in Baltimore since 2008. She is the author of Through residence. Asked what was in the black brief- the Windows: A History of the Ministry of Higher Education among the Sisters of Francis did not dodge a single ques- case that he was seen carrying onto the Mercy (2001). tion, even thanking the person who plane by himself en route to Brazil, Fran- To order, contact: prompted his comments on homosexuali- cis said he had a razor, a breviary and a ty, asking about Italian news reports of a book about St. Teresa. “It’s normal to The Scarecrow Press “gay lobby” inside the Vatican, with carry a bag,” he said, according to news 15200 NBN Way clerics blackmailing one another with reports. “I’m a bit surprised that the im- PO Box 191 information about sexual missteps. age of the bag made its way around the Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214-0191 “So much is written about the gay world. Anyway, it wasn’t the suitcase Toll free: 1-800-462-6420 lobby. I have yet to find on a Vatican with the codes for the nuclear bomb.” www.scarecrowpress.com identity card the word ‘gay,’ ” Francis Use Promo Code 7F12DAIG and Save 35% said, chuckling. “They say there are Fall 2013 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. Francis Xavier, 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 Immaculate Conception Decatur: Annunciation of the Lord Holy Trinity, St. Matthew Cathedral Omaha: Holy Family, Sacred Heart Montgomery: St. Bede Texas Florida Nevada Colleyville: Good Shepherd Arizona Daytona Beach: Our Lady of Lourdes Las Vegas: Christ the King, Dallas: Holy Trinity Chandler: St. Andrew Ft. Lauderdale: St. Anthony, Guardian Angel Cathedral El Paso: All Saints Glendale: St. Thomas More St. Maurice Houston: St. Anne Mesa: St. Bridget Naples: St. John the Evangelist New Hampshire Plano: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Phoenix: St. Matthew St. Petersburg: Holy Cross Merrimack: St. John Neumann Scottsdale: St. Patrick Tampa: Sacred Heart, Christ the King Pelham: St. Patrick Virginia Tucson: St. Cyril of Alexandria, Arlington: Our Lady Queen of Peace Ss. 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Cyril and Methodius USC Medical Center (Spanish), East Islip: St. Mary England St. Agatha, St. Paul the Apostle Indiana Elmira: St. Mary London: Church of the Immaculate North Hollywood: St. Jane Frances de Evansville: St. Mary Fairport: Church of the Assumption Conception (Mayfair) Chantal, St. Patrick Indianapolis: St. Thomas Aquinas Henrietta: Good Shepherd Oakland: Our Lady of Lourdes Manhattan: Holy Name of Jesus, Oceanside: St. Thomas More Iowa St. Francis Xavier, St. Paul the INTENTIONAL EUCHARISTIC Orange: Holy Family Cathedral Coralville: St. Thomas More Apostle, Church of the Ascension, COMMUNITIES Pasadena: Assumption of the B.V.M. St. Francis of Assisi Arizona Ross: St. Anselm Kentucky Pittsford: Church of the Scottsdale: Franciscan Renewal Sacramento: St. Francis of Assisi Louisville: Epiphany, Cathedral of the Transfiguration Center San Carlos: St. Charles Assumption, St. William Rochester: Blessed Sacrament, San Diego: Ascension, San Rafael, St. Mary (Downtown), St. Monica California St. Jude Shrine Louisiana Syracuse: St. Lucy, All Saints Orange: Koinonia San Francisco: Most Holy Redeemer, New Orleans: St. Augustine Utica: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Pleasanton: Catholic Community of Old St. Mary Cathedral, St. Agnes, Historic Old St. John’s Pleasanton St. Dominic Maine Wading River: St. John the Baptist San Jose: St. Julie Billiart, Portland: Sacred Heart-St. Dominic Wantaugh: St. Frances de Chantal District of Columbia St. Martin of Tours (Emmaus Saco: Most Holy Trinity Westbury: St. Brigid Communitas Community) San Luis Obispo: Old Mission of Maryland North Carolina Florida San Luis Obispo Baltimore: Corpus Christi, Charlotte: St. Peter Tampa: Franciscan Center San Raphael: Church of San Raphael & St. Francis of Assisi, St. Ignatius, Durham: Immaculate Conception Mission San Raphael Arcangel St. Matthew, Fayetteville: St. Patrick Maryland Santa Barbara: OL of Guadalupe St. Vincent dePaul Raleigh: St. Francis of Assisi Greenbelt: Greenbelt Catholic Santa Cruz: Holy Cross Columbia: St. John the Evangelist Community Santa Monica: St. Monica Gaithersburg: St. Rose of Lima Ohio Simi Valley: St. Rose of Lima Hagerstown: St. Ann Akron: St. Bernard Michigan Spring Valley: Santa Sophia Severn: St. Bernadette Cincinnati: St. George-St. Monica, Grand Rapids: Marywood Stanford: Catholic Community at Stan- St. Robert Bellarmine Kalamazoo: Lambda Catholics ford University Massachusetts Cleveland: Blessed Trinity, South Pasadena: Holy Family Boston: Paulist Center, St. Anthony St. Malachi, St. Martha Minnesota Valinda: St. Martha Shrine, St. Cecilia Columbus: St. Thomas More Minneapolis: Spirit of St. Stephen's Vernon: Holy Angels Catholic Church East Longmeadow: St. Michael Newman Center Catholic Community of the Deaf Newton: St. Ignatius Fairlawn: St. Hilary Walnut Creek: St. John Vianney Provincetown: St. Peter Mentor: St. John Vianney Oregon West Hollywood: St. Ambrose, Sharon: Our Lady of Sorrows University Heights: Church of the Portland: Journey and Koinonia St. Victor Springfield: Sacred Heart Gesu Catholic Community Whittier: St. Mary of the Assumption Westlake: St. Ladislas Michigan Wooster: St. Mary of the Immaculate Washington Colorado Ann Arbor: St. Mary Student Parish Conception Olympia: Holy Wisdom Inclusive Arvada: Spirit of Christ Detroit: St. Leo, Christ the King, Gesu Catholic Community Avon: St. Edward Parish Oregon Colorado Springs: Our Lady of St. Ignace: St. Ignatius Loyola Beaverton: Mission of the Atonement Wisconsin Guadalupe, Sacred Heart Westland: Ss. Simon and Jude Portland: St. Andrew, St. Francis of Madison: Holy Wisdom Monastery Denver: St. Dominic, Christ the King, Assisi, St. Phillip Neri, Down- Mount Carmel Minnesota town Chapel (St. Vincent de Paul) To add your faith community to our Fort Collins: Blessed John XXIII Minneapolis: St. Frances Cabrini, list, please contact New Ways Minis- Genessee: St. Frances Cabrini Shrine St. Joan of Arc Pennsylvania try at [email protected] or Highlands Ranch: Pax Christi Philadelphia: Old St. Joseph, call 301-277-5674. 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. 3 Transgender Issues Becoming the person God wants us to be

By Sister Jeannine Gramick his parents and siblings. All his grand- tumultuous year, Isaac continues to be the heart of each human being. We want The National Catholic Reporter parents, although traditional Catholics, the cheerful person he was as a child. desperately to connect, to feel part of the August 27, 2013 loved and accepted Isaac as a boy. I find myself reflecting on this story whole. The greatest suffering, I believe, At first Monica thought Isaac was long after the conference. Why do we is a feeling of abandonment, of isolation, Recently I participated in an interna- imitating his older brother, instead of his call people freaks? What is normal? How of not belonging. It is the overwhelming tional conference in Peru for Latino/a middle sister. She told Isaac that little do we know what God wants us to be? pain of rejection that Jesus experienced families with sexual diversity. As I sat girls can play sports with boys and wear What is there in each of us that makes us on the cross as he cried out, "My God, down in an assembly room in a large boys' clothes. Eventually Monica came want to be the same as others? Or at my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" government building, Susana Villarán, to understand that Isaac's feelings and least, if not the same, what makes us I find myself praying for a society Lima's first woman mayor, welcomed behaviors represented a phenomenon want to belong or fit in, to feel like an where we see with the eye of our soul several hundred attendees from 24 differ- more fundamental than sibling imitation insider, not an outsider? that differences are gifts that enrich the ent countries to the city. or rejection. This was something crucial We use the derogatory word freak to human family, where diversity is consid- I found myself next to Monica Nun- to her child's identity. label a person who does not look or act ered a blessing by which we can learn ez-Cham and her husband, Arturo After many family discussions and as most of the people we know. We from each other. God's imagination does Gomez, who were from San Diego, Ca- extensive consultation with health pro- might as well call brilliant people, such not make cookie-cutter human beings. I lif. By the end of the four-day confer- fessionals, Isaac began hormone treat- as Einstein, freaks. Why do we insist that want to work for the day when we are all ence, Monica became not only my main ment at age 13 to transition to a biologi- people be homogeneous? Sameness can insiders, unique in our identities and translator, but also my teacher and cal male. His name was now consistently be dull and boring. grateful for who God created us to be. friend. In between sessions, Monica told Isaac and male pronouns were constantly We use the word normal to mean How do we know what God wants me the story about her son, Isaac Gomez, used. The following year there was sur- "what is accepted." Isaac felt he fit in, us to be? I believe the answer lies deep in who also participated in the conference. gery for a double mastectomy. Further was accepted and loved by his family, our hearts. God uses our feelings and Isaac was born a biological female. constructive surgeries followed. Now 19 but he wanted that circle widened. He attractions, our desires and longings, our From the time he was 2 or 3 years old, he years of age, Isaac is a handsome, well- wanted to be normal or appreciated by abilities and disabilities, our likes and did not want to wear girls' clothes. When adjusted and intelligent young man at- the wider human family. dislikes to point us in the direction God he did, Isaac's usual sunny disposition tending university. Except for that one The longing to belong lies deep in wants. In the sanctuary of our souls, became melancholy and dejected. When where we are alone with God, we find his grandparents in Mexico bought him God's affirmation of who we are to be. "boy" toys, Isaac was happy. Just as one's conscience must be Isaac loved to play sports with the obeyed, even against any political or boys. His name at that time, Marifer, was ecclesiastical authority, so too one must feminine in Spanish, but sounded an- become the person God intends, despite drogynous in English. Marifer was well- social acceptance or rejection, because it liked by schoolmates, who treated him as is this becoming that constitutes the very a boy. dignity of the human person. The teachers and administrators in Isaac teaches me that it takes great the public school system empathized moral courage and integrity to become with the situation. While there was a the person God intends us to be, and that dress code, Isaac was permitted to dress family is leaven for a good life.  as a boy for classes and for graduation. (I found myself wondering if Catholic Loretto Sr. Jeannine Gramick is school personnel would have been as leading advocate for lesbian, gay, bisex- understanding.) ual and transgender rights as a co- Always a cheerful and kind child, founder of New Ways Ministry. Her Isaac must have had some experience or books include Building Bridges: Gay and pushback around the age of 12 that Lesbian Reality and the Catholic Church prompted him to say he would hence- and Voices of Hope: A Collection of Pos- forth be a girl. He did not want to be a itive Catholic Writings on Gay and Les- freak, he said. Why did God make a mis- Isaac Gomez with his mother, Monica Nunez-Cham, and father, Arturo bian Issues. take, he asked? Monica wondered where Gomez he got these notions -- certainly not from Remembering a more positive Catholic LGBT tradition

By Francis DeBernardo H. Cochrane. The street, Washington Place, ‘come and bomb the f*****s.’ portance of reaching out to, accepting, Bondings 2.0 between Grove St. and 6th Ave., was “And no one bombed the church — and dialoguing with LGBT people. It NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com selected because it is the location of St. cops from the 6th Precinct were told to was a time of great hope and promise. September 19, 2013 Joseph’s Catholic Church, where the watch the house of wor- This news story sparked my first meetings of the Gay Officers Action ship.” memory to the fact that back A somewhat minor news item spoke League (GOAL) were held. GOAL has gone on to in 1973, St. Vincent’s Hospi- volumes to me about the important histo- The story explains that the early be one of the most effective tal in New York City became ry of a good relationship that Catholic meetings of this organization, which LGBT-rights groups in the first Catholic institution institutions once had with LGBT organi- took place in the early 1970s were not New York City. to establish a sexual orienta- zations. without controversy and even experi- What struck me most tion non-discrimination poli- New York’s Daily News reported that enced threats of violence: about this story is that a cy in hiring practices. Given an organization of gay NY police offic- “Dr. Patrick Suraci, then a NYPD Catholic church was willing the recent trend of Catholic ers are seeking to have a street in the city psychologist, said Cochrane got a call at to host these meetings, es- schools and parishes firing re-named after their founder, Sgt. Charles home from someone threatening to pecially at a time when LGBT people, this news is a LGBT people were still so reminder that Catholics do ostracized from most of indeed have a history and It’s time to recognize secular society’s institutions, and tradition of openness on when violence was all too LGBT issues. commonplace. It reminded This is a tradition that is same-sex marriages me that in the 1970s and much in need of revival these 1980s, before the pontifi- days. Let’s hope and pray (Continued from page 3) and dignified recognition of civil unions cates of Pope John Paul II that the pontificate of Pope ticular vision of what the human person because this might be a slippery slope to and Pope Benedict XVI, Charles Cochrane Francis will see a renewed is and what human sexuality is within same sex marriage? Pope Benedict XVI there was a great openness to openness by Catholic institu- that context. How to hold those two when at the Congregation for the Doc- LGBT people and their concerns on the tions towards LGBT people and is- things together is the conundrum that we trine of the Faith opposed even civil un- part of Catholic organizations. During sues. It is a very important part of our are dealing with. I don't think it is an ions. However Pope Francis when Arch- this period, our church witnessed many faith, our tradition and our heritage to do Achilles' heel but I think it is a real co- bishop of Buenos Aires had told gay actions and statements from church lead- so.  nundrum with which the Church has to rights activists that 'homosexuals need to ers, including bishops, about the im- continue to grapple at this time and in have recognised rights' and that he this culture.” 'supported civil unions, but not same sex The Archbishop was right to insist marriage'. on the need 'to work in every way we can I am with Francis on civil unions New Ways Ministry’s blog to ensure justice for homosexual people' but, unlike him, I now accept that we can and 'to work to defend the dignity of ho- probably no longer draw a line between Bondings 2.0 mosexual people, just as we work to de- civil unions and same sex marriage. That fend the dignity of other people'. It will be the long term consequence of last would be just and a service to the com- month's US Supreme Court decisions The best way to keep up on the latest mon good for the State to give some which will impact much further west Catholic LGBT news and opinions! recognition and support to committed, than California.  faithful, long-term relationships between Updated daily! gay couples deserving dignity, being able Rev. Frank Brennan SJ is professor to love and support each other in sick- of law at Australian Catholic University, Share your ideas with others! ness and in health, until death they do and adjunct professor at the College of part. Law and the National Centre for Indige- NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com Should legislators in our pluralistic nous Studies, Australian National Uni- democratic society withhold such just versity.