DOCSLIB.ORG

Some Hope, but Not Much Joy for LGBT Catholics in Pope's New Document

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Some Hope, but Not Much Joy for LGBT Catholics in Pope's New Document B NDINGS Vol. 35, No. 3 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Spring 2016 San Francisco Catholic school teacher comes out as transgender — and finds acceptance By Jill Tucker High in Sacramento. can be supportive of each person.” values of the school and to honor Catholic San Francisco Chronicle However, it is likely to ripple through Sisters of Mercy is a canonical reli- identity, regardless of personal faith. May 12, 2016 a growing national debate on transgender gious order that reports to the Vatican. Bodenheimer, who follows the Jewish rights, including access to gender-specific The broader organization sponsors dozens faith, said he never sought to break ground Gabriel Bodenheimer could have lost facilities like bathrooms and locker rooms. of schools across the U.S. and in four oth- in transgender rights. his job when he recently came out as The order’s leaders told staff, students er countries. “I love teaching at this school,” he transgender to leaders of a San Francisco and parents that the sisters prayed for Cordileone, who has drawn criticism said, adding that after four years it was Catholic high school. Instead, in what guidance, and conferred with San Francis- for a rigidly conservative stance regarding time to come out. some call a momentous step, the English gay rights, neither “It was very important to speak, and teacher will remain at Mercy High, fully condemned nor fully name myself, and not be silent,” he said accepted as a man. endorsed the decision Thursday in a phone call between classes. The announcement of support by an in San Francisco. “The response I got was tremendously order of the Sisters of Mercy, which owns “Often in such situa- positive.” and operates the four-year college prepara- tions a balance must Previously, Bodenheimer was known tory school for girls on 19th Avenue, of- be struck in a way that as Gadielle, though students called him fers a rare policy position on transgender distinct values are Ms. Bodenheimer or just Bodenheimer. rights from within an internationally re- upheld, such as mercy But on Wednesday night, he received spected Catholic order. and truth, or institu- an email from a student — a simple, mun- While there is no official Catholic tional integrity and dane note about rescheduling a meeting policy or doctrine regarding transgender respect for personal because of a doctor’s appointment. people, church leaders have addressed the decisions affecting It started with, “Dear Mr. Bodenhei- issue, noting God created males and fe- one’s life,” he said in mer.” males and that anatomy defines identity. a statement. He em- “That was really a great moment,” he “This is significant for us; we did not phasized that such said, noting that students, concerned about take this lightly,” said Sister Laura Reicks, decisions should be final exams, were largely unfazed by the president of the 16-state region of the Sis- made on a case-by- announcement. “This is consistent with ters of Mercy West Midwest Community. Gabriel Bodenheimer case basis, “allowing who I am. This is not some shocking in- “We feel because of our values, the choice for prudential judg- formation.” was this, but that didn’t mean it was easy.” co Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, but ment.” School leaders, however, told the Reicks said the decision aligns with ultimately came to the only decision that Reicks said the decision exemplified community that counselors would be Pope Francis’ message of mercy and of aligned with their values. an overarching position within the order to available to help students and staff mem- treating every person with dignity. Yet the Supporting the dignity of each person hire teachers without considering gender bers process the acceptance of Bodenhei- Pope has also criticized the idea that gen- — regardless of race, religion, sexual ori- identification, race, religion or sexual ori- mer as a male rather than female teacher. der exists on a spectrum and doesn’t nec- entation or gender identification — was entation. In addition, an informal meeting for par- essarily match with birth sex, saying these paramount, Reicks said. “Their personal lives are completely ents was scheduled for Thursday night. theories don’t recognize the order of crea- “We have not had any other teachers separate from their qualifications as teach- “This is still being processed,” said tion. ask for any kind of coming out before,” ers,” she said. “We are concerned about Diane Lawrence, board chairwoman for The Sisters of Mercy decision, an- Reicks said. “This is just our way of con- the education of young women and we do Mercy High, adding there had been no nounced Wednesday, specifically reflects tinuing to live out what our founders of not consider personal criteria when we complaints from within the community so policy within the order’s West Midwest Sisters of Mercy had always said, that hire the best person for each position.” far. “We work with the girls on being re- Community, which sponsors or co- regardless of what type of prejudice or Even so, the school’s employment spectful, respecting the dignity of others. sponsors six high schools, including Mer- feeling in society, we have to take a higher contract does require teachers to be famil- In my mind, this exemplifies what we’re cy High in Burlingame and Cristo Rey road and look at the person and how we iar with and support the philosophy and teaching.” Some hope, but not much joy for LGBT Catholics in Pope’s new document Bondings 2.0 the LGBT community, the pope simply embraced his gay former student and hus- “I encourage the faithful who find NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com repeated church condemnations of same- band during his U.S. visit? Where is the themselves in complicated situations to April 8, 2016 sex unions, adoption by lesbian and gay Pope Francis who invited a transgender speak confidently with their pastors or people, and the complexities of gender Spanish man for a personal meeting at the with other lay people whose lives are Statement of Francis DeBernardo, identity. Vatican? That Pope Francis is hard to find committed to the Lord. They may not al- Executive Director, New Ways Minis- Most egregious is his repetition of the in his latest text. ways encounter in them a confirmation of try, in response to Pope Francis’ apos- synod fathers’ false claim that internation- The two synods in tolic exhortation on marriage and family al aid to developing nations is dependent 2014 and 2015, as well life, Amoris Laetitia. upon openness to marriage equality. No as the wide consultations evidence exists for such a claim. Randy among the laity which While Pope Francis’ latest docu- Berry, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Hu- preceded them, served as ment, Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of man Rights of LGBTI People categorical- the research for this new Love), contains some hopeful passages, ly denied this claim last November during papal document. Unfor- it does not inspire joy in LGBT Catholics meetings with church officials at the Vati- tunately, as far as LGBT and their supporters. As far as sexual ori- can to discuss the persecution of LGBT issues are concerned, entation and gender identity issues are people globally. there is nothing concerned, the pope’s latest apostolic ex- Moreover, Pope Francis’ one state- in Amoris Laetitia that hortation reiterates church formulas which ment discussing pastoral care to families indicates the great call show that the Vatican has yet to learn with lesbian and gay members is included for new approaches to from the experiences and faith lives of so in a section entitled “Casting Light on these issues that occurred many LGBT Church members or their Crises, Worries and Difficulties.” Such a during these discussions. supporters. Though the pope calls classification reveals an assumption that Perhaps there is for church leaders and ministers to be less LGBT topics are simply problems to be hope in the suggestion judgmental and to respect individuals’ surmounted, and it does not recognize the made by some bishops at consciences, he has not provided a new giftedness and grace that occur when a the 2015 synod that the pastoral approach to LGBT issues or peo- family accepts and loves its LGBT family Vatican hold an entirely Pope Francis ple. members. separate synodal discus- While Pope Francis repeats church sion on the issues of sexu- On other family topics such as di- their own ideas or desires, but they will vorce and co-habitation, Amoris Laetitia, teaching condemning discrimination and ality and gender. While this document has violence against LGBT people, the fact a lot to offer on a variety of important surely receive some light to help them offers some hopeful advice—and if this better understand their situation and dis- advice were simply applied to LGBT is- that there is no elaboration of this teaching family topics, it did not give adequate concerning countries that are criminaliz- attention to LGBT family issues that de- cover a path to personal growth. I also sues, which would not be incompatible to encourage the Church’s pastors to listen to do, this document would have been much ing sexual and gender minorities makes serve serious examination by church lead- these words ineffective. ers. them with sensitivity and serenity, with a more positive. Pope Francis calls for non- sincere desire to understand their plight judgmental pastoral care, assisting people Many in the Catholic LGBT commu- Given the new general pastoral direc- nity had great, but realistic, hopes for this tion of this document, there is potential for and their point of view, in order to help in developing their consciences, encourag- them live better lives and to recognize ing diverse pastoral responses based on document.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • “Empowers the Homophobic Bully” “If Gay Couple Lives with Faithfulness,Can
    B NDINGS Vol. 39 No. 3 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Summer 2020 Church “got to answer” for teaching that “empowers the homophobic bully” By Mada Jurado “the Church describes homosexual acts it wonderful when he said who am I to NovenaNews.com as intrinsically evil. I would regard the judge,'” McAleese observed of the pon- June 30, 2020 Church’s teaching as disorderly and in- tiff’s famous 2013 remark on gays who trinsically evil. Why is it intrinsically “seek God and [have] good will,” in The Church has “got to answer” for evil? Because it conduces to homopho- which he also referred to another teach- its teaching on gays that “empowers the bia.” ing in the Catechism that homosexuals homophobic bully,” a former Irish presi- “Look at the language that is used – should never be marginalised but instead dent has insisted. ‘the homosexuality is disordered.’ Who must be integrated into society. Mary McAleese, who served two wants to believe that their God-given “Well I was not at all impressed by terms as Irish president betwen 1997 and nature is disordered?” McAleese asked. that,” McAleese admitted, “I was an- 2011 and has since received a doctorate “That homosexual acts, how they gered by it because he does judge. He is in canon law from Rome’s Pontifical express their love in a loving relation- the supreme judge of the Church. He is Gregorian University, hit out at the ship, for example… that that is regarded the legislator, he is the judge.” Church’s doctrine on homosexuality in as intrinsically evil.
    [Show full text]
  • S Top Leaders Cross Catholic Hierarchy on Gay Marriage
    Vol. 31, BNo. 1 NDINGSSpring 2011 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Md.'s top leaders cross Catholic hierarchy on gay marriage By John Wagner starting Friday in the House of Dele- centage of Catholics than Maryland, The Washington Post gates, traditionally the more liberal which has 27 percent, according to a February 25, 2011 chamber on social policy. Supporters 2008 national survey. A similar percent- there say they remain a couple of votes age of Maryland legislators are Catho- Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley shy of a majority but were optimistic lics. regularly attends a weekday Mass and that they would pick up the backing. During the debate Thursday, Sen. has sent his four children to Catholic O'Malley (D) has pledged to sign Robert J. Garagiola (D-Montgomery) schools. the bill if it reaches his desk. Busch has said the bill would provide gay couples House Speaker Michael E. Busch said he will vote for it in the House. And the same rights he and his wife have (D-Anne Arundel) used to teach and although Miller voted against the bill in enjoyed since their marriage in a Catho- coach at his old Catholic high school in the Senate on Thursday, he had moved lic church 14 years ago. Annapolis. to head off a filibuster attempt by oppo- "It's an historic day for equal justice Senate President Thomas V. Mike nents so that it could move forward. under the law," he said. Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) grew up serving as Maryland, which emerged as a bea- Several of his colleagues countered an altar boy in the idyllic wood-frame con for Catholics during its Colonial that marriage should be reserved for cou- Catholic church his family helped build days, would join five other states and the Governor Martin O’Malley ples who can fit their definition of in Clinton.
    [Show full text]
  • Bishop John Stowe Leads Prayer at LGBT Catholic Gathering
    B NDINGS Vol. 36 No. 3 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Spring-Summer 2017 Bishop John Stowe leads prayer at LGBT Catholic gathering By Patricia Lefevere who have pursued "a life of faith in a Kentucky Catholics and others farther "Our usual way of thinking is that The National Catholic Reporter church that has not always welcomed or afield. justice and mercy are incompatible," May 4, 2017 valued" them or their worth. As a "The flack has been enormous and Stowe said. But Pope Francis has asked shepherd, he needs to hear their voices continues on the blogosphere" and from Catholics to find new ways to work Chicago — Clad in traditional and take seriously their experience, he "self-righteous strangers online and those together, to open up new possibilities and brown Franciscan robes, Bishop John said, adding that both the presence and who subscribe to these feeds," Stowe to try to be nonjudgmental of one Stowe of Lexington, Kentucky, seemed said, calling some of the another, he added. "We all still require at home among the rainbow of colors posts and e-mails [mercy]; it's about the need for a conver- at New Ways Ministry’s eighth annual "vicious." sion of attitudes for both the institutional symposium here April 28-30. This was The uproar quieted church and for all its members," Stowe the first time that the bishop had spoken somewhat after the bishop said. in front of the advocacy group, which addressed the issue on a When Stowe was asked how he felt supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and local Catholic radio show the church should respond to cases of transgender Catholics.
    [Show full text]
  • Addressing LGBTQ Issues with Courage & Faith
    Addressing LGBTQ Issues with Courage & Faith Francis DeBernardo & Robert Shine, New Ways Ministry Catholic Volunteer Network | November 9, 2018 Areas of Teaching 1. Sexual orientation 2. Sexual ethics 3. Civil rights & human dignity 4. Prejudice & discrimination 5. Pastoral ministry 6. Gender Identity What is Church Teaching on Homosexuality? Sexual Orientation • Not chosen, not sinful • Permanent and irreversible • No conversion therapy • Path to spiritual growth. Human Sexuality: A Catholic Perspective for Education and Lifelong Learning “...homosexuality is a permanent, seemingly irreversible sexual orientation. The medical and behavioral sciences do not yet know what causes a person to be homosexual… Such an orientation in itself, because not freely chosen, is not sinful.” National Conference of Catholic Bishops (1991) Sexual Ethics • Permissible sexual acts: • Open to procreation • In the context of marriage • Complementary • Homosexual acts not permitted because they are not procreative or complementary Letter to Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons “It is only in the marital relationship that the use of the sexual faculty can be morally good. A person engaging in homosexual [homogenital] activity therefore acts immorally.” Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (1986) Civil Rights & Human Dignity • Law must protect human dignity • Church teaches LGB people have: • Right to justice • Right to participate • Right to be respected • Support for most non- discrimination measures Catechism of
    [Show full text]
  • No, Homosexuality Is Not a Risk Factor for the Sexual Abuse of Children by Thomas G
    B NDINGS Vol. 38 No. 1 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Winter 2018-19 No, homosexuality is not a risk factor for the sexual abuse of children By Thomas G. Plante their sexual impulse control is poor. But these individuals tended to be boys. If some, like most clerical sex offenders in AmericaMagazine.org the research data on this topic makes Father wanted to have private time with the church, select those with whom they October 22, 2018 clear that sexual orientation alone is not a an altar boy or perhaps take a boy off on have access and trust. risk factor for pedophilia or for commit- a camping trip or to a baseball game back The behavior and psychopathology Many people believe that homosexu- ting sexual crimes against children or in the 20th century, no one would have of sex offenders is complex, but there is a ality is the root cause of sexual abuse by teens or any- thought much of it. Boys were trusted large amount of quality research to help clergy in the Catholic Church since about one. Sexual us better understand their behavior, with 80 percent of the known victims have orientation by established best practices for evaluating been male. This has led some church itself is irrele- and treating them for their dysfunction. leaders to suggest that banning homosex- vant to child Best practices are also available for child ual men from the priesthood could pre- sexual abuse protection by better managing the envi- vent future victimization of children in behavior or ronment where children are involved the church.
    [Show full text]
  • Transforming LOVE
    Trans fo rm i n g Trans Registration Form fo r m i n g May 17, 2014 Name(s): _____________________________________ Address: ____________________________________ City, State, ZIP: _______________________________ Email: _______________________________________ New Ways Ministry is a gay-positive ministry Day Phone: __________________________________ of advocacy and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Catholics, A day of education, dialogue, and prayer about understanding Evening Phone: ______________________________ and reconciliation within the larger Christian and civil communities. transgender people Suggested donation: 4012 29th Street $25 (includes lunch) Mount Rainier, MD 20712 301-277-5674 Saturday, May 17, 2014 Mail registration form and donation to: [email protected] 9:00 am to 3:30 pm New Ways Ministry www.newwaysministryblog.wordpress.org 4012 29th Street www.NewWaysMinistry.org Mount Rainier, MD 20712 Centro Maria 650 Jackson Street, NE Washington, DC 20017 Please register by May 10, 2014. (near Brookland/CUA metro station) If you wish to register using a credit card, call 301-277-5674 or visit www.NewWaysMinistry.org to use Sponsored by: our secure online donation form and indicate “transgender workshop” in the comments section. Schedule Presenters Trans 9:00 am Registration Dr. Michael Hendricks holds a Ph.D. in clini- fo r m i n g cal psychology from 9:30 am Welcome, prayer, The American Univer- and introductions sity. He is a fellow of the American Acade- 9:45 am Understanding Transgender my of Clinical Psychol- About the Workshop and Gender Non-conforming ogy. He is the current People President of the Ameri- In recent years, news organizations, Dr. Michael Hendricks can Psychological As- legislatures, and the entertainment world sociation’s Division 44, have given more and more visibility to 10:45 am Break the Society for the transgender people, a segment of our Psychological Study of population that had been greatly ignored 11:00 am Small group discussion LGBT Issues.
    [Show full text]
  • BONDINGS Volume 29, No
    BONDINGS Volume 29, No. 1 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Winter 2008/2009 In a First, Gay Rights Are Pressed at the U.N. right so it will be remembered,” said Scott eral system prevents us from undertaking By Neil MacFarquhar tions, rejected the idea that sexual orienta- Long, a director at Human Rights Watch. commitments and engagements where federal The New York Times tion was a matter of genetic coding. The state- The official authorities don’t December 18, 2008 ment, led by the Organization of the Islamic Conference, said the effort threatened to un- American position have jurisdiction,” was based on highly said Alejandro D. An unprecedented declaration seeking to dermine the international framework of hu- technical legal Wolff, the deputy decriminalize homosexuality won the support man rights by trying to normalize pedophilia, grounds. The text, by permanent repre- of 66 countries in the United Nations Gen- among other acts. using terminology sentative. eral Assembly on Thursday, but opponents The Organization of the Islamic Confer- like “without distinc- Gay-rights ad- criticized it as an attempt to legitimize pedo- ence also failed in a last-minute attempt to tion of any kind,” vocates brought to philia and other “deplorable acts.” alter a formal resolution that Sweden spon- was too broad be- the conference from The United States refused to support the sored condemning summary executions. It cause it might be in- around the world by nonbinding measure, as did Russia, China, sought to have the words “sexual orientation” terpreted as an at- France said just the Roman Catholic Church and members of deleted as one of the central reasons for such tempt by the federal having the taboo the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
    [Show full text]
  • Bishop Geoffrey Robinson Urges Change in 'Church Teaching Concerning All Sexual Relationships'
    B NDINGS Vol. 32, No. 1 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Spring 2012 At New Ways Ministry Symposium Bishop Geoffrey Robinson urges change in 'church teaching concerning all sexual relationships' By Jerry Filteau endum in November to revoke it, but to resolve those problems. himself in his divine plan for human The National Catholic Reporter several recent polls have indicated that a "Paradoxically, it was the effects of sexuality. March 16, 2012 slight but growing majority of the state's the sexual abuse of minors more than "For centuries the church has taught voting population favors legalization of anything else that convinced me that sex that every sexual sin is a mortal sin. The BALTIMORE -- At the Seventh same-sex marriages. is serious," he said. teaching may not be proclaimed as National Symposium on Catholicism and In his talk later that afternoon -- He began his talk with three basic loudly today as much as before, but it Homosexuality, retired Australian available along with other writings on his premises: was proclaimed by many popes, it has Bishop Geoffrey Robinson called Friday website: www.bishopgeoffrobinson.org "There is no possibility whatsoever never been retracted and it has affected for "a new study of everything to do with (Click ―Christian Basis for Teaching on of a change in the teaching of the Catho- countless people," Robinson said. sexuality" -- a kind of study that he pre- Sex‖) -- Robin- lic church on "The teaching fostered a belief in an dicted "would have a profound influence son did not the subject of incredibly angry God," he added, "for on church teaching concerning all sexual address the homosexual this God would condemn a person to an relationships, both heterosexual and ho- growing U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Pope Francis Meets with LGBT+ Catholic Pilgrims in St. Peter's Square
    B NDINGS Vol. 38 No. 2 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Spring 2019 Pope Francis Meets with LGBT+ Catholic Pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square By Robert Shine Anglicans, Catholics LGBTQ people, like meeting Bondings 2.0 and Methodists, in these pilgrims, have been a Www.NewWaysMinistry.org/blog the Church of defining and more positive March 12, 2019 St.Ignatius.” aspect of how he treats issues Pendergast, who of gender and sexuality. The In an historic moment for the Catholic has organized and pope previously met with a Church, members of a pilgrimage for led two previous transgender man from Spain LGBT+ Catholics and their families met LGBT+ pilgrimages who was excluded from his with Pope Francis last week and partici- to Rome, commented parish, with a former student pated in an Ash Wednesday service he to Bondings 2.0: who is gay, and with a French led. “We were taken youth injured while defending Following last Wednesday’s morning completely by sur- a gay couple from a hate audience in St. Peter’s Square, the pope prise to be told that crime. In 2015, pilgrims with was introduced to pilgrims with the we were going to New Ways Ministry received LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pastoral have our photograph VIP seating during the Ash Council group from the Diocese of West- taken with Pope Wednesday papal audience. minster (London). A press statement Francis. Although we Pope Francis’ record is from the group explained: had asked Cardinal mixed. But with the sixth anni- “The Pilgrimage Leader, Martin Pen- Vincent Nichols’ versary of the pope’s election dergast, a member of the LGBT+ Catho- office to obtain Papal tomorrow, LGBT advocates lics Westminster Pastoral Council, intro- Audience tickets for should not lose sight of the duced the group to the smiling Pope us, we certainly had- Pope Francis with pilgrims from LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pas- progress that has been made.
    [Show full text]
  • Indianapolis Archdiocese Cuts Ties with Jesuit H.S. Over Refusal to Fire Gay Teacher
    B NDINGS Vol. 38 No. 3 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Summer 2019 Indianapolis Archdiocese cuts ties with Jesuit H.S. over refusal to fire gay teacher By Arika Herron the high school, said Midwest Jesuits, called the decision The Indianapolis Star Brebeuf had worked hard "disappointing" in a statement posted to June 20, 2019 to avoid this outcome but the group's website. He said the Midwest the split will not change Jesuits and Brebeuf have been fighting The Archdiocese of Indianapolis is anything for students or the archdiocese over the gay teacher for cutting ties with Brebeuf Jesuit Prepara- families. The partnership the last two years. tory School after the school refused to had enabled VanSlam- "Brebeuf’s administration and Board fire a gay teacher, the latest chapter in a brook to participate in of Trustees have determined that follow- growing debate over LGBTQ staff in meetings of Catholic ing the Archdiocese’s directive would local Catholic education. school principals and al- not only violate their informed con- The decision comes with limited lowed archdiocesan priests science on this particular matter, but also financial implications for Brebeuf, but it to minister at Brebeuf, would set a concerning precedent for could isolate the northwest side school though the school does not future interference in the school’s opera- from the larger Catholic community. have anyone from the arch- tions and other matters that have histori- Brebeuf, which is sponsored by the diocese at the school cur- cally been the right and privilege of USA Midwest Province of the Society of rently."All of our program- Brebeuf Jesuit officials," Paulson said in Jesus, received notice Thursday that the ming will remain un- his statement.
    [Show full text]
  • Memphis Bishop Welcomes Home Gay and Lesbian Catholics
    Volume 26, Number 2 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Fall 2005 Memphis bishop welcomes home gay and lesbian Catholics By Dennis Coday But as I have reflected on the church as them were born into Catholic families, baptized National Catholic Reporter home, I have become more acutely aware as infants and attended Catholic schools. They June 17, 2005 of the number of people—the number of have embraced the faith handed on to them. Catholics—who are no longer comfortable in Others, through the examples of friends and Reflecting on the church as home and their home. In fact, some are no longer certain having felt called by God, became Catholics on recent meetings with Catholics who feel that the church is their home. Sometimes it is through the Rite of Christian Initiation of unwelcome in their “home,” Memphis, Tenn., the circumstances of life that cause people to Adults. For all of them, being Catholic is at the Bishop J. Terry Steib announced the begin- feel estranged or separated. Occasionally it is core of who they are. At the same time, they ning of a diocesan ministry to gay and lesbian a misunderstanding of the church’s teachings are people who are not sure of “their place” in Catholics. that keeps people away. Often, individuals hide their home. They are people—wonderful, good Steib began his June 2 column, “This Far by a deep pain that is rooted in knowing that, for Catholic people—who are gay and lesbian. Faith,” published in the diocesan newspaper, by whatever reason, their lives do not conform to Steib wrote about meeting with a group of reflecting on the church as home “where [God’s] other people’s lives; or worse, they feel that who gays and lesbians and then meeting with par- family gathers to celebrate God’s unconditional they are is unacceptable.
    [Show full text]
  • C:\Documents and Settings\User
    BONDINGS Volume 28, No. 2 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Spring 2008 Gay Catholics Implore Pope to Listen and Love By Jonathan Rubin Religion News Service ents do “violence to these children.” Broadway production. “The youths on this April 10, 2008 But the gay and lesbian Catholics said issue are smarter than we are.” leaving the church isn’t always an option. New Ways director Francis DeBernardo Gay and lesbian Catholics on Thursday “There’s nothing that could push me said the pope has walled himself off from (April 10) urged Pope Benedict XVI to see away from the church. Nothing,” said rank-and-file gay Catholics. “Unfortunately, their lives and hear their testimonies during Heather Mizeur, a Maryland state legisla- this leader does not understand the issue of his U.S. visit next week, even as many ac- tor, who said she encouraged her partner homosexuality or does not understand gay knowledged that may be unlikely. to convert to Christianity. and lesbian people,” said DeBernardo. With humor and intensely personal sto- “All the 10 Commandments boil But Maguire said the pope could fix that by ries, the gay and lesbian Catholics declared down to love,” she said. “We are rooted in sitting down with gay Catholics, perhaps their love for the faith and their longing to be love as Christians.” over dinner. accepted in a church that considers homo- New Ways Ministry, a Maryland- “As Christ sat with the suffering, come sexual activity an “intrinsic evil” and homo- based support group for gay and lesbian Heather Mizeur Gregory Maguire sit with us,” he said.
    [Show full text]