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. “Chicken or fish? Red sexuality “objectively disordered.” Catholics, has tussled with Benedict before. wine or white? ...You are welcome any time, Benedict embraces the church’s tradi- In 1999, Benedict — then Cardinal Joseph But gay Catholic advocates say time is and you can take us as you find us, though a tional prohibitions against homosexuality; he Ratzinger — silenced the nun and priest who on their side. “I believe that change will hap- little advance notice would allow us to clear has called gay unions “pseudo-matrimony” ran the group for positions that were “doctri- pen.” said Gregory Maguire, a novelist whose the bikes out of the driveway and tidy up the and wrote in 2003 that same-sex adoptive par- nally unacceptable.” book “Wicked” was made into a major living room.”
New Ways Ministry and Pope Benedict’s Visit to the U.S.
New Ways Ministry provided several Deborah Mizeur, a national health care draw a few days before the event because of project was letter writing to the pope. Mem- public responses to Pope Benedict XVI’s policy consultant (and partner of Heather). a death in her family. Richard Rodriguez, bers of the New Ways Ministry mailing list apostolic visit to the United States, April 15- Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry noted essayist and commentator on were invited to write letters to the pope, tell- 20, 2008. The main event was a press con- Executive Director, also spoke at the press “NewsHour with Jim Lehrer,” came down ing of their own lives, their experiences in ference held on Thursday, April 11, 2008, at conference, giving a history of Benedict’s with the flu two days before the event. Catholic lesbian/gay ministry programs, their the National Press Club, Washington, DC. involvement in gay issues, while urging the We attracted reporters from the follow- families which have lesbian/gay members, Entitled “A Few Minutes with the Pope: pontiff and church leaders to listen to the ing organizations: Associated Press, Associ- and the positive witness that lesbian/gay Lesbian/Gay Catholics Speak About their voices and reality of lesbian/gay Catholic ated Press Television, NewsChannel 8, Wash- Catholics offer to the church. We collected Church,” the press conference featured sev- lives before making any more statements ington Post, Washington Blade, MetroWeekly, 50 letters and, after two days of negotiations, eral prominent lesbian/gay Catholics making on homosexuality. Current TV, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, XM we hand-delivered the letters to Monsignor presentations about what they would tell the Two unforeseen circumstances caused Radio, National Catholic Reporter, Polish John Maksymowicz, the priest-secretary of pope about their faith, their lives, and their the last-minute withdrawal of two speakers Public Radio, Cox Broadcasting, Religion the papal nuncio to the United States, at the loves, if they had the opportunity to meet with who were originally scheduled to partici- News Service, Inter Press Service, and Fox- Vatican Embassy in Washington, DC, the him. The speakers were Gregory Maguire, pate in the press conference. Teresa TV. At last count, the Associated Press story pope’s residence while in the nation’s capi- best-selling author of Wicked (the novel which DeCrescenzo, the Executive Director of appeared in close to two hundred papers tal. We had a photo taken of New Ways Min- is the basis of the Broadway musical), Mary- Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Ser- around the globe. We also received atten- istry staff presenting the letters to the secre- land State Delegate Heather Mizeur, and vices, Los Angeles, California, had to with- tion from about a dozen Catholic blogs, both tary in the main hall of the Embassy. Included progressive and conservative. in the packet were the CD of the press con- Francis DeBernardo was also able to do ference, texts of the press conference eight radio interviews in San Francisco, CA, speeches, and a letter from New Ways Min- Tucson, AZ, Columbia, SC, Nashua, NH, istry urging the pope to enter into dialogue Manitowoc, WI, Buffalo, NY, and Sarasota, with lesbian/gay Catholics. FL. Hand-delivering the letters to a member New Ways Ministry made CDs of the of the nunciature staff, we learned, guaran- press conference which we provided to indi- teed that they would be presented to the pope viduals on the New Ways Ministry mailing himself. Indeed, a few days after this deliv- list who provided donations to cover the other ery, New Ways Ministry received a personal two-thirds of the project’s budget. We will letter from Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the pa- continue to make the CDs available to others pal nuncio, that the letters would be handed who request information about the event. to the pope. A corollary prong of the papal visit --More Papal Coverage on page 5-- Gay Catholics urge Pope Benedict to enter dialogue during visit
From Agency Reports and gay Catholics. Ekklesia.co.uk It featured panellists, all of whom are April 14, 2008 lesbian or gay Catholics, and included out- standing names from the worlds of literature, In advance of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit government, and health care including Gre- to the US, three prominent gay Catholics have gory Maguire, author of more than a dozen New MSJC Group Meets in St. Louis urged the pontiff to enter into a dialogue with children’s novels and several for adults, most lesbian and gay Catholics. notably Wicked, which has been adapted into In the spirit of recommendations from Always Our Children, the pastoral letter from the They addressed the pontiff through open the Tony-award winning Broadway musical U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Marriage & Family, a committee under the auspices of the statements about their lives, loves, and hopes show. Marianist Social Justice Collaborative (MSFC) is exploring possibilities for providing more for the church at a press conference at the end Speakers also included Deborah Mizeur, effective pastoral care within the Marianist Family among families of gay/lesbian Catholics. of last week. an instructor of health politics and health fi- The effort is consistent with the Church’s teaching — especially considering the principles of The event entitled ‘A Few Minutes with nancing at Georgetown University, and a Catholic Social Teaching — and is profoundly pastoral in its outreach. the Pope: Lesbian/Gay Catholics Speak About former congressional advisor on healthy The group met in St. Louis in January and has developed a two-hour program, “A Place Their Church’ was sponsored by New Ways policy to the Committee on Ways and Means at the Marianist Table,” that considers the struggles of faithful gay/lesbian Catholics and how Ministry, a 31-year-old national Catholic min- and Heather Mizeur, a recognized leader in groups can be more welcoming and inclusive. istry of justice and reconciliation for lesbian DIALOGUE continued on page 8... Page 2 BONDINGS Vol. 28, No. 2
B NDINGS Spring 2008 Vol. 28, No. 2
Francis DeBernardo, Editor
Board of Directors Mary Byers Frank O’Donnell, SM Rev. Paul Thomas Cornelius Anna Elizabeth Rev. Joseph Hubbuch, CFX Koop, SL Linehan, RSM Muth Board of Advisors Cornelius Hubbuch, CFX Anna Koop, SL Elizabeth Linehan, RSM New Ways Ministry welcomes new board members Patricia McDermott, RSM Rev. Joseph Muth Three religious and one diocesan priest agreed to serve for a term of three years Barbara Regan, rc on the New Ways advisory board. Their brief biographies appear below: Staff Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director Matthew Myers, Associate Staff Cornelius Hubbuch, CFX Elizabeth Linehan, RSM Cornelius Hubbuch, CFX, served as a high school Elizabeth Linehan is a Sister of Mercy of the South Cen- Co-Founders teacher, principal, Provincial and Vicar General of the tral Community. Since 1976, Betsy has taught at Saint Sister Jeannine Gramick Xaverian Brothers. He chaired several boards of the Xaverian Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA. Father Robert Nugent Brothers Sponsored Schools and was the Director of Forma- Having chaired the Philosophy Department for fifteen tion for the schools. He was an Assistant Professor and co- years, she is currently an Associate Professor of Philosophy Bondings is a seasonal publication designed to keep director of the Institute for Spirituality and Worship at the and co-chair of the Alliance, a committee that promotes wel- our subscribers informed of issues that pertain to lesbian and gay people and the Catholic Church. Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley and served on the staff come and inclusion of gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender mem- at the Southdown Institute in Canada. He is currently on the bers of the SJU community. For this work, she received the Founded in 1977, New Ways Ministry is an educa- Leadership Team of his province. Deo Gratias Award from Dignity/ Philadelphia. tional and bridge-building ministry of reconciliation between the Catholic gay and lesbian community and institutional structures in the Roman Catholic Church. Anna Koop, SL Rev. Joseph Muth Anna Koop, SL, earned a Masters degree in Social Work Ordained in 1974, Fr. Joe Muth has served in six par- New Ways Ministry seeks to eradicate prevalent from Catholic University of America. She served on the lead- myths and stereotypes about homosexuality and ishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Currently he is Pastor supports civil rights for lesbian and gay ership team of the Loretto Community, as well as in outreach of St. Matthew Church, a community of people from over 40 persons in society. to new vowed members. Anna is a founding member of the different countries. The Church established an Immigration Catholic Worker House in Denver, where she has lived for Center in 2000 to assist people with political asylum, status For more information, contact: thirty years, as well as a founding member of the Colorado adjustment, and family reunification. New Ways Ministry Coalition for the Homeless, for which she is a board mem- Fr. Joe traveled to Africa with Catholic Relief Services’ 4012 29th Street ber. With two women, for whom she witnessed a gay union, Global Fellows Program three times; in 1989, 1995, Mount Rainier, MD 20712 she began a retreat for “Lesbian, Bisexual and Questioning and 2006 and visited Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and (301) 277-5674 Women of Faith,” held at the Loretto Motherhouse. E-mail: [email protected] Rwanda. Web: www.newwaysministry.org Turning bitterness into redemption
By Dava Weinstein women, ages 18-25, to receive financial grants for When my mother pre-deceased my father in 1998, I had education that prepare them to be self sufficient in been with my partner, Dorothy Calvani, for 26 years. My their lives. TO SUBSCRIBE... father changed his will after my mother’s death, specifying The Fund is managed by the Stonewall Com- COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORM BELOW that I would inherit 10% of his estate and my two siblings munity Foundation with the intent to build the prin- would share 90%. My father carried his demeaning view of cipal through contributions and reinvestment of a Dorothy and me with him to his grave. It was an eye opener portion of the annual earnings. I have involved about just how my mother must have insisted that he keep his Please add my name to your mailing list. social service agencies that serve young people to contempt of us to himself over the years. determine the requirements for eligibility and the Portions of a letter that I sent to my entire family de- Enclosed is: application process for distribution of grants. Grant scribe our response to this very emotional moment in our ___ $15.00 in the U.S. decisions are based on need and include such items lives: ___ $20.00 outside the U.S. as legal name change expenses, college applica- As you know, mom and dad were very dif- ___ I would like to receive Bondings, but tion fees, tuition for vocational or technical train- ferent. Both felt strongly about family, although cannot donate at this time. ing, tools, etc. This Fund promotes the health and their relationships to their own families were not ___ An extra contribution for those unable well being of young women. to donate the same... Unfortunately dad’s love of family, taken to its extreme after mother’s death, excluded Founded in 2002, Bee’s Fund has distributed over 50 Name ______my family life with Dorothy. grants to date ranging $35-$1500. A young grant recipient, Dad’s bitterness at the end of his life and his whose college application fees were underwritten, told us, Address ______unequal treatment of me through his will got Dor- “Bee’s Fund rocks.” What a compliment! Another recipi- othy and me thinking about young women whose ent sums up her experience: “I am a young lesbian of color City ______families have withdrawn emotional and/or finan- kicked out of my parents’ home due to my sexual identity. As State/Province ______Zip ______cial support because of their sexual or gender iden- an aspiring artist, I am extremely thankful to the Bee’s Fund tity. How were we to transform our own experi- for making a fantastical idea into a reality.” Bee’s Fund cov- Home Phone______ence of his treatment of us as devalued human ered tuition and supplies to further her art career. beings into something positive and exciting? I am grateful to Dorothy. It is not every life partner who Work Phone______We have sought to transform dad’s narrow- would agree to give away an inheritance. I am also grateful ness by using the inheritance from him to truly E-mail______to the individual social workers and lawyers working with pay tribute to mom’s unconditional love. The Bee LGBT youth who have supported Bee’s Fund through their Winkler Weinstein Fund has been established to volunteer advisory board hours, insuring that it is adminis- provide financial support for young women pur- tered in a most professional way. Easy to complete applica- Please make check payable to “New Ways Ministry.” suing vocational or technical education. It is cru- tion forms are available at
By Adam Minter munity. Such alignments are had been abandoned by his fam- Mother Jones rare in other parts of the world, ily and was alone. So the sisters February 13, 2008 where Rome’s canonical view cared for the man, and after his of homosexuality as “contrary death, washed and prepared his The gray plaza in front of Shenyang’s to the natural law” often sets body for the funeral. “From that century-old gothic cathedral is largely aban- the agenda. Yet in China, point,” Fabian says, “trust devel- doned on this Sunday morning, the church’s where the church was perse- oped. We became very close.” twin spires separated from a bustling shop- cuted and cut-off from main- Now, HIV-positive people ping district by a crusty wrought-iron fence stream Catholicism for more who can’t or won’t go anywhere that does nothing to keep out the thump of than half of the last century, a else seek out Sister Fabian, who Chinese hip-hop blaring from nearby store- more progressive and inde- is known to be not only sympa- fronts. From a bunker-like convent beside the pendent perspective has thetic but adept at negotiating cathedral, the Catholic seat of northeast arisen. Fabian is certainly China’s formidable medical bu- China’s Liaoning Province, a nun in a calf- aware of Rome’s views. But reaucracies (though illegal, length habit rushes toward me. Sister Fabian she says she is unmoved by many healthcare facilities refuse Han Fengxia, 36, wears wire-rimmed glasses the prejudices of others. “We to treat HIV-positive patients). and a shiny silver medallion that signifies her help whoever needs our help,” Two years ago, in cooperation place among the diocese’s community of 93 she says. “We don’t differen- with Shenyang’s two largest nuns. “We are very busy these days,” she says, tiate between gay men and poor farmers.” ors, she established a clinic for Shenyang’s gay-rights organizations, Fabian arranged to firmly shaking my hand. “Many new clients.” Fabian leads me to a cramped, cubicle- priests and sisters. Two years later, she ex- have 250 men tested for HIV at a remote site, These particular clients are 68 mostly gay divided, fluorescent-lit office where her two panded the clinic to provide free services to and though she concedes that “the only ones HIV-positive residents of Shenyang, an indus- assistants, Sister Catherine and Sister Peter, the city’s poor. “Perhaps that’s a calling,” she who came were those who wanted to prove to trial metropolis of 7 million people. “The gay report that a client is having difficulty apply- remarks offhandedly. When pressed to explain their partners that they didn’t have it,” she is community is where the disease is here,” she ing a salve to sores on his back. “He uses a further, she snaps, “Maybe you think I’m a proud of the accomplishment. In August, tells me. “So we work with them.” Sister chopstick to do it because he can’t reach,” lovely person, but my colleagues think other- when a destitute gay man in Dalian was dis- Fabian directs a program that provides all Fabian sighs. “He doesn’t want his family to wise.” Referencing a deep strain of impatience missed from his hospital bed because of his manner of support for HIV-positive men and know that he is sick.” Later that afternoon, and a quick temper, she finally adds, “I do it HIV-positive status, Fabian arranged for and women, such as emergency funds, job train- she will ride her bicycle for an hour to his because I love the people.” even financed his treatment from her program ing, medical services at the diocesan clinic— home and help with the medicine. In China, In 2003, with the help of the Catholic budget. “I asked the [Dalian] gay community and even house calls. Though most of the cli- AIDS is highly stigmatized—associated as it Maryknoll order in New York, Sister Fabian leader to come with me,” she recalls. “And ents are in Shenyang, Fabian and the other sis- is with sex workers, drug users, and those of enrolled in a two-year course at Fordham Uni- he did,” making for an unusual paring in mod- ters also tend to a rural village of farmers in- generally low character—to the point where versity and earned her Masters of Arts in pas- ern China. fected during a blood collection drive in the it’s often impossible even to discuss with toral care. Not long after her return to China, After spending the afternoon in Fabian’s 1990s. Officially, it’s estimated that there are blood relatives. The three sisters all know of the diocesan leadership placed her in charge office, viewing a formidable collection of more than 650,000 HIV-positive people in families broken apart or ostracized after an of its AIDS program which, at that point, slides and documents, she and I walk to China (unofficially, the number is thought to HIV-positive diagnosis. When Fabian took the lacked clients from Shenyang’s gay popula- Changzhi’s Farmer Food, a tiny restaurant exceed 1 million), with Liaoning home to helm of the diocese’s program in 2005, she tion. “At first,” Fabian says, “they were sus- dominated by a plastic tree trunk and hang- 3,000 of them, according to Fabian. China’s and the other sisters struggled with their own picious of us because of what they’d heard ing branches so that it resembles a tree house. Ministry of Health says that between 2.5 and prejudices against gay men. “We all thought about the Church in the past.” But with the Fabian orders a large bowl of tofu in a salty 6.5 percent of China’s gay men are infected, they had a psychological problem or some- assistance of Sisters Peter and Catherine, she sauce, spicy eggplant, and mushroom soup. and the number is growing; these days, the thing bad happened in their family that aggressively pursued a relationship. She of- In speaking of Chinese religious life, she says ministry records an average of 3,000 new cases changed their sex behavior,” she explains. fered frank advice on risk prevention, speak- solemnly, “The roles for sisters are changing per month. “But time after time, you begin to understand ing to any group or meeting that would have so fast. It makes it hard to know the proper While it’s not unusual for the Catholic and love them. Really love them.” her, and perfected what appears to be the city’s course.” When we can’t finish the food, she church to assist HIV-infected men and Raised in a non-religious family, Fabian first and only HIV support groups, where cli- asks for boxes. “So much pressure these women—according to the Pontifical Council joined the convent at age 21 after she “ran ents discuss practical topics such as nutrition. days,” she offers. Later, at the cathedral gate, on Health Care, Catholic organizations pro- away” from a dead-end sales job in 1992. “I “They don’t really share their feelings or their she gives the leftovers to the guards. vide a quarter of HIV-related services world- didn’t know anywhere else to go,” she laughs. conditions,” she explains. “It’s not very Chi- Adam Minter is a Shanghai-based writer wide—it’s quite unique that a church should The sisters offered to send her to medical nese to do so.” The turning point for the pro- who has written for the Atlantic, Slate, and the Los Angeles Times, among others. He blogs at work so closely with an organized gay com- school and in 1996, after graduating with hon- gram came in late 2005. A man dying of AIDS Shanghai Scrap.
Right or Rite, Civil Discussion in Order
By Thomas Reese couples to gay partners but continued to re- spected (see “Always our Children,” 1997). of the people. They can also return to legisla- Washingtonpost.com serve the “m” word for heterosexuals. The California Supreme Court, like the tion to adjust it based on experience and fu- May 27, 2008 Recently some Christian churches have Massachusetts Supreme Court, has ruled that ture circumstances. changed their view of homosexual activity. the state constitution requires that the state Some argue that gay marriage is a threat For almost 2,000 years, Christianity has These churches argue that if God made a per- recognize same-sex marriages. The court spe- to marriage as a heterosexual institution. I have considered any sexual activity out- son a homosexual cifically said that churches would not be re- never understood this argument. In an apart- side of a marriage between a man then it would not be quired to perform such weddings. ment building filled with unmarried couples, and a woman to be sinful. This in- wrong for that per- Many, even some who support gay mar- both gay and hetero, if all the gay couples got cluded prostitution, bigamy, adul- son to establish a riage, believe that this was an unwise deci- married, it would seem to me that their ex- tery, fornication and homosexual ac- committed and lov- sion on the part of the court. California al- ample would inspire the heterosexuals to think tivity. In many societies formed by ing homosexual rela- ready allowed domestic partnerships with about marriage. I would prefer to reserve the Christianity, these activities and di- tionship that in- most of the rights of married couples. By re- word “marriage” to heterosexuals, but I don’t vorce were illegal, although enforce- cluded sexual activ- jecting what had been a political compromise, think it is worth fighting over. ment of the laws was spotty. ity. Some churches the court has made it inevitable that a state I think it is foolish for churches to ex- The separation of church and have gone so far as constitutional amendment will be put on the pend their political capital opposing the le- state, as well as the desire to free to celebrate these re- ballot in California. The amendment will not galization of gay marriage. There are many private moral decisions from state lationships as Chris- only overturn the decision but may also elimi- other issues of greater importance: abortion, control, has led to the legalization tian marriages, even nate domestic partnerships. hunger, global warming, peace, health care, of divorce and the decriminalization if these marriages I agree with those who believe that the etc. Pro-life churches and organizations should of birth control, adultery, fornication are not recognized California Supreme Court’s decision was un- especially be suspicious when gay marriage and homosexual activity (but not by the state. Such wise, but I would oppose a constitutional is given more prominence as an issue than prostitution and bigamy). Societal decisions have been amendment that would forbid gay marriages. abortion. Money and resources that would views of homosexuality have controversial even I believe that this issue should be dealt with have gone to pro-life work are being siphoned changed as we have become aware Thomas Reese SJ within the churches by state legislatures, not by the courts or ref- off to oppose gay marriage. that homosexuality is an orientation that is not that have approved homosexual marriages. erendums. The issue of gay marriage is not going to chosen. The Catholic hierarchy does not support Homosexual relationships exist in Ameri- go away quickly. It is a highly emotional is- While few Americans support the ecclesial or state-sponsored homosexual mar- can society in not insignificant numbers. Even sue that continues to divide our country. Ev- criminalization of homosexual activity, a ma- riage and still argues that sex outside of mar- if you consider such relationships immoral, it eryone needs to step back, take a deep breath jority still opposes state-sanctioned homo- riage, including homosexual activity, is sin- can be argued that the state has an interest in and count to ten before saying anything. Pro- sexual marriages. Caught in the middle of this ful. It no longer supports the criminalization encouraging these relationships to be stable ponents and opponents need to respect each emotion-filled issue, politicians came up with of homosexual activity, and it argues against and long term rather than multiple and short other and be civil in their debate. My guess is “domestic partnerships” as a compromise that discrimination against homosexuals. It teaches term. State legislatures are used to coming up that those who are most civil will win the day. gives many or all of the rights of married that homosexuals should be loved and re- with compromises that are acceptable to most Page 4 BONDINGS Vol. 28, No. 2 Fury at bishop’s gay ‘persecution’ claim
By Alan MacDermid at St Aloysius’ College in Glasgow, Bishop Catholic community completely missed. lecture cited the battles over Clause 28, www.theherald.co.uk Devine spoke of “a giant conspiracy” advanc- “It’s a very small group of people, but legalising civil partnerships and same-sex March 13, 2008 ing the cause of secularism. He said secular- very active and organised and extremely in- adoption. Gay rights activists hit back yesterday ism was more dangerous than sectarianism dulgent. The opposition know exactly what He concluded his lecture stating: “Like after a Catholic bishop challenged the homo- because it was more insidious. they’re doing. We don’t.” Mel Gibson, who said, I’m going to pick a sexual community’s attendance at the annual Bishop Devine said: “The homosexual After Bishop Devine’s lecture on Tues- fight’, so am I.” Holocaust memorial service. lobby has been extremely effective in align- day night, titled Sectarianism and Secularism: Calum Irving, director of the gay rights The Rt Rev Joseph Devine, Bishop of ing itself with minority groups. It is ever- Bugbears for the Catholic Church in Scotland, group Stonewall Scotland, said yesterday that Motherwell and president of the Catholic Edu- present at the service each year for the Holo- one audience member asked how Catholic par- lesbian and gay people were among groups cation Commission, said in a lecture that the caust memorial, as if to create for themselves ents should “come to terms with a child’s mis- targeted by the Nazis for extermination - to- gay lobby went to the memorial to present the the image of a group of people under persecu- sion to become homosexual”. He replied: gether with Jews, communists and gypsies. “image of a group of people under persecu- tion. We neglect the gay movement at our peril. “This must be a nightmare moment for any He said: “It is a shameful disgrace any- tion”. “Issues around sexuality are powerful parent. There are many days when I’m glad to one should try to deny that, especially a man He also pointed out that actor Sir Ian factors in shaping public policy. I want to ask not be a parent. I would try to handle it with a supposedly of the Christian faith. A lot of his McKellen was given a New Year’s honour for you if you are able to see the giant conspiracy degree of compassion, but would not tolerate remarks are unchristian and out of step with a services to gay rights, whereas Oscar Wilde that’s taking place before our eyes, even if we that behaviour. I would not condemn, but I great swathe of Christian people throughout was locked up only a century ago for homo- didn’t see it at the time? I take it you’re be- would not tolerate it.” Scotland. As for Oscar Wilde - is he saying sexual acts. ginning to see that there is a huge and well- Bishop Devine clashed repeatedly with gay people should be thrown in jail now as In the fourth of the Gonzaga Lectures held orchestrated conspiracy taking place which the the previous Scottish Executive and during his they were a century ago?”
Taking on Polish prez’s baiting
By Andy Humm but all of our supporters had been in the ference afterwards, Tomasz Szypula of the and vice consul Andrea Gorog. They then met www.gaycitynews.com closet.” Campaign Against Homophobia, said, with a program head at the Office for Demo- April 3, 2008 The incident drew out the government “Thanks to the invitation that Fay and cratic Institutions and Human Rights at the of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, elected in Moulton got to visit the Parliament, we were Organization for Security and Cooperation in October to replace that of Jaroslaw offered a great opportunity to propose rec- Europe. New Yorker Brendan Fay and his hus- Kaczynski, the president’s identical twin ommendations to the government which work It should be noted that Fay and Moulton band Tom Moulton, both gay activists, were brother and leader of the right-wing Law and towards gaining equal rights for LGBT are not professional gay activists, paid for the flown to Warsaw by Poland’s private TVN Justice Party. Jaroslaw Kaczynski was ex- people,” according to the UK Gay News. work they do on the community’s behalf. They television network this week for a round of posed in the Polish media as a closeted gay The contingent also met with the Helsinki are active members in Dignity and organize political meetings, press conferences, and man in 2006. Foundation for Human Rights to try to ad- the annual inclusive Queens St. Patrick’s Day interviews that have substantially advanced The government’s plenipotentiary for vance a dialogue with the Polish president, Parade, both as volunteers. the discussion of LGBT rights there, accord- equal legal status, Elzbieta Radziszewska, did noting that the principal of dialogue is en- Moulton is a pediatric oncologist and Fay ing to a Polish gay activist. not come out for gay partner rights, but “she shrined at that nation’s Constitution. works as a documentary filmmaker. He pro- Fay and Moulton got sucked into Polish said there should not be discrimination in On Tuesday, Fay and Moulton did “Good duced a film on the life of Father Mychal politics when President Lech Kaczynski used Poland” against LGBT people, Domagala Morning TVN” and held another press con- Judge, the gay Fire Department chaplain who footage of their 2003 wedding in Canada in a noted, and “offered to look after the LGBT ference with LGBT leaders, including Yga was killed at the World Trade Center on 9- March 17 televised speech to the nation warn- community” through the powers of her of- Kostrzewa of Lambda Warsaw who “ex- 11, and is completing another on Reverend ing that adoption of the European Union’s fice. pressed hope that the couple’s visit would John McNeill, Dignity’s founder. Through the Lisbon Treaty would compel Poland to rec- On March 28, more than 600 Polish in- inspire a national dialogue for legal recogni- volunteer Civil Marriage Trail, Fay and ognize same-sex marriages, which he linked tellectuals signed a letter “saying they were tion of same-sex couples in Poland,” accord- Moulton also assist American couples who to the end of “moral order.” embarrassed by Kaczynski’s speech, assur- ing to an email from Szypula. While the US travel to Canada as they did, to legally marry. The Polish parliament voted overwhelm- ing the US couple of their support and soli- State Department is under attack here for in- “We leave Poland inspired by the many ingly to adopt the treaty on April 2, an out- darity,” the UK Gay News reported. sensitivity on LGBT issues - most notably meetings and conversations,” Fay said in an come that New York-based Polish gay activ- With Polish gay leaders, Fay and from a new group formed by the out gay email. “We feel confident that a brighter day ist Daniel Domagala of the Campaign Against Moulton joined with leftist members of the former US ambassador to Romania, Michael of equality is closer at hand.” Homophobia, the leading LGBT rights group Polish parliament to meet Monday with the Guest -Fay and Moulton got a meeting at the “We leave Poland with the hope that the in Poland, said was going to happen anyway. chair of the Commission for Justice and Hu- US embassy in Warsaw with Michael Steven dialogue that has begun in earnest will con- But the media frenzy that surrounded Fay man Rights, Ryszard Kalisz. At a press con- Tulley, counsellor for management affairs, tinue,” Moulton added. and Moulton this week, from the moment they landed in Warsaw, certainly did not hurt the cause of gay visibility in Poland. “They gave a human face to the issue,” Domagala said. Fay and Moulton, who live in Astoria, Queens, and have long records of gay activ- ism, attracted considerable media attention in New York in the wake of the president’s attack, especially from Polish news outlets. The couple held a press conference at the Manhattan offices of Human Rights Watch last week calling on the president to apolo- gize. A spokesperson for Kaczynski said, “Mr. Brendan Fay, who invited the media to his quasi-wedding, should not be surprised that his image was used,” CWNews.com reported. The spokesperson said the president would not meet with them. Two TV networks sought to bring the men to Poland and Fay and Moulton settled on TVN, the private network, over public tele- vision. Fay said they were in close contact with Polish gay leaders about all aspects of the trip and had stipulated that local leaders Recalling Fr. Mychal Judge on Eve of Pope’s Ground Zero visit be included in any meetings they had there. On April 19, 2008, the eve of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Ground Zero, the site of the World Trade Center in New York “Now the story is shifting from New York City, an interfaith vigil in memory of Fr. Mychal Judge, OFM, was held to honor the fire department chaplain who died during to Warsaw,” Fay said by telephone from the 9/11 bombing of the building, and who ministered with gay Catholics in NYC. Kennedy Airport just before boarding their flight. “Mychal Judge had a heart as big as New York,” said event organizer Brendan Fay, a gay Catholic. “For the Catholic gay The effects of the attacks on the couple community he was family as well as our priest. When we were exiled and excluded by the institutional Church, he provided the have been dramatic. sacraments in our living rooms and community centers.” “It has brought visibility to the issue,” Fay (third from left) joins other participants, above, around a banner, painted by Brooklyn artist, Ian Hart, which depicts said Domagala. Before this, he said, “No only scenes from the friar’s ministries. At the service, Tom McLoughlin of DignityNY gave out postcards of the banner image with had a lot of LGBT people been in the closet, Mychal’s prayer on the back. Spring 2008 BONDINGS Page 5 Papal visit provokes array of protests
By David Crary should do in regard to contraception and what Catholics in running their parishes. the right to instrumentalize the visit of the Associated Press Catholics on the ground actually do,” said The extent to which the pope addresses pope to serve their personal interests,” Sambi April 13, 2008 Catholics for Choice president Jon O’Brien. the varied grievances during his trip remains told the National Catholic Reporter. “The He termed the ban “a great tragedy ... a unknown. But the Vatican’s envoy to the problem is that there are too many people here Pope Benedict XVI may not see them or policy that lacks compassion and understand- United States, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, said who would like to be the pope ... and who hear them, but aggrieved Roman Catholic ing.” any dissent that might arise was regrettable. attribute to themselves a strong sense of their activists hope his U.S. visit this week will help Asked about the prospects that Benedict “Even in the Catholic church, nobody has own infallibility.” them draw attention to issues ranging from might reconsider the ban, O’Brien replied, “I the ordination of women and gay rights to sex do believe in miracles.” abuse by priests and the Vatican ban on con- For many American Catholics, the most traception. distressing church-related issue of recent The groups have planned vigils, demon- years has been clerical sex abuse. Thousands strations and news conferences to press their of molestation allegations have been filed causes as the pope visits Washington and New against Catholic clergy, and dioceses have York. On Monday evening, the eve of his ar- paid out more than $2 billion in claims since rival, supporters of women’s ordination will 1950. host what they are calling “an inclusive Mass” David Clohessy, national director of the at a Methodist church in Washington, pre- Survivors Network of those Abuse by Priests, sided over by Catholic women — including said his advocacy group would not be molli- two who were recently excommunicated. fied even if the pope meets privately with “We cannot welcome this pope until he abuse victims. begins to do away with the church’s continu- “Extraordinarily few Catholics and vic- ing violence of sexism,” said Sister Donna tims will be moved in any way by gestures, Quinn, coordinator of the National Coalition words, tokens,” Clohessy said. “It’s as plain of American Nuns. as day that three years into his papacy, Participants in the service will include Benedict has done literally nothing to pro- Rose Marie Hudson and Elsie McGrath, who tect the vulnerable or heal the wounded.” were excommunicated last month by Arch- Clohessy said his group will make use bishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis because of the papal visit to press for tough disciplin- they were ordained as part of a women-priest ary action against bishops who covered up movement condemned by the Vatican. abuses by their priests and to urge pre-emptive “In the face of one closed door after an- steps by the Vatican against abuse by priests other, Catholic women have been innovative, in other nations. courageous and faithful to the church,” said Clohessy expressed disappointment that Letters to the Pope Aisha Taylor, executive director of the the pope was not visiting Boston, where the Women’s Ordination Conference. “They con- scandal burst into the national spotlight in Monsignor John Maksymowicz (left), secretary to Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the tinue to make a way where is none.” 2002. papal nuncio to the United States, accepts a packet of letters from New Ways Ministry Gay Catholic activists, who plan to dem- “Showing a willingness to visit the epi- staff members, Francis DeBernardo and Matthew Myers, at the Vatican Embassy in Wash- onstrate Tuesday along the papal motorcade center of the crisis — that would have been ington, DC, which served as Pope Benedict’s residence on his April 2008 apostolic route in Washington, have compiled a list of one gesture that might have been effective,” journey. statements by Benedict during his career Clohessy said. The packet included 50 letters to Pope Benedict XVI from friends of New Ways which they consider hostile to gays and les- Voice of the Faithful, a Boston-based Ministry, who wrote to the pontiff telling him of their hopes for a Catholic Church that is bians. These include forceful denunciations reform group which emerged from the scan- more inclusive of its lesbian/gay members.Included in the packet were the CD of New of gay marriage and of adoption rights for dal, placed a full-page ad last week in The Ways Ministry’s press conference (see page 1), texts of the press conference speeches, same-sex couples. New York Times, costing more than $50,000, and a letter from New Ways Ministry urging the pope to enter into dialogue with lesbian/ “He has issued some of the most hurtful to air its call for a transformation of the gay Catholics. and extreme rhetoric against our community church. In an acknowledgement letter, Archbishop Sambi assured New Ways Ministry staff of any religious leader in history, and we want The ad urged Benedict to meet with that the letters would be personally delivered to Pope Benedict during his stay in to call him into account for the damage that abuse victims, oust bishops who covered up Washington. he’s done,” said Marianne Duddy-Burke, ex- abuse and promote a greater role for lay ecutive director of DignityUSA. Duddy-Burke said she hopes the protests will be coupled with celebration of the gains made by gay Catholics in America in recent years. She cited the growing number of par- Pope makes distinction between gays ishes welcoming openly gay members and the dozens of Catholic colleges that now have gay-straight alliances. and pedophiles Another gay Catholic group, New Ways Ministry, hosted a news conference at which By Tony Grew "Their mission was to give healing, to found that 60% of Roman Catholic Ameri- speakers conveyed what they would tell the Pinknews.co.uk give the love of God to these children. cans disagree with the ban on priests getting pope if they had the opportunity. The speak- April 16, 2008 "We are deeply ashamed and we will do married, and the same number back women ers included Gregory Maguire, author of the what is possible that this cannot happen in priests. best-selling novel “Wicked,” who along with The leader of the Roman Catholic the future. A group that works for the rights of gay, husband Andrew Newman is raising three Church has spoken out about the sexual abuse "I would not speak at this moment about lesbian, bisexual and trans in the Roman adopted children as Catholics in Massachu- of children by priests. homosexuality, but pae- Catholic church is setts, the only state to allow same-sex mar- Benedict XVI gave a rare insight into his dophilia which is an- planning a series riages. views to reporters accompanying him on his other thing. of protests against “We invite you to spend a day, a meal, a first Papal visit to the United States, which "And we would “I would not speak Pope Benedict weekend with us,” Maguire said in his mes- began yesterday. absolutely exclude at this moment during his visit. sage to the pope. “We don’t want to serve as In his comments the pontiff moved to pedophiles from the sa- The Rainbow a poster-family for gay Catholics. ... We will dismiss the suggestion that he links sexual cred ministry. about homosexuality, Sash Movement just be ourselves, in all our confusion, aspi- abuse of children with homosexuality. "Who is guilty of said it is calling on ration, need and joy.” In 2005 he caused controversy when he pedophilia cannot be a but pedophilia, "Catholics of good Another divisive issue being raised this appeared to preclude men who may identify priest. which is another thing.” will" to take the week is the Vatican’s ban on contraception. as homosexual from training for the priest- "We'll do all that is Papal visit as an Gay rights groups and others say the ban un- hood as a response to revelations that thou- possible to have a opportunity to dermines programs promoting condom use sands of children across the world had been strong discernment, be- shower the Pope to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS. sexually abused by Roman Catholic clergy. cause it is more important to have good priests mobile with ashes instead of confetti. In a conference call Monday organized A Vatican report commissioned by the than to have many priests." "Ashes are an ancient and appropriate by Catholics for Choice, four Catholic theo- Pope said that the church will ban men who Pope Benedict XVI is in the US until greeting for a sinner who has caused the logians will be examining the impact of the "publicly manifest their homosexuality or 20th April and will meet President Bush and Church so much division and pain," RSM said 1968 encyclical “Humanae Vitae,” which show an overwhelming attraction to homo- address the United Nations. in a statement. defined the Vatican’s opposition to artificial sexual culture even if it is only intellectually." It is Benedict's first official visit to the The group is calling for reform across a birth control. "It is difficult for me to understand how US. His predecessor John Paul II visited range of issues, from marriage for priests to “Catholics wonder why there’s this huge it was possible that priests betrayed in this seven times. stronger action against bishops who protected disparity between what the hierarchy says we way," Benedict told reporters yesterday. The ABC News poll released yesterday child-abusing clergy. Page 6 BONDINGS Vol. 28, No. 2 Aquinas cancels gay-rights speaker
By Nardy Baeza Bickel the lack of Catholic faculty at Catholic uni- from a secular or religious point of view.” Bishop Walter Hurley to cancel the event, he The Grand Rapids Press versities and about rampant “moral relativ- Balog said he wasn’t familiar with said, “No. He was one of the many people April 11, 2008 ism” — the belief that there is no objective Corvino’s work until the day before the event. that wanted to ask for clarification.” right or wrong — on campuses. The school initially had hoped to provide a Other U.S. bishops have slammed vari- After Aquinas College canceled a pre- According to Corvino’s Web site, the follow-up speaker to present the church’s ous events at colleges in their dioceses as vio- sentation by philosopher and gay-rights ad- Wayne State University philosophy profes- point of view on the issue. lating Catholic doctrine: a rally by abortion vocate John Corvino, a group of students now sor “challenges all sides of the debate to re- But after reviewing some of Corvino’s rights supporter and Democratic presidential is looking for an independent think easy assumptions presentation, in which he talks about a “sexual candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton at St. venue to host the speaker. about homosexuality.” act” condemned by the church, they decided Mary’s University in San Antonio; a Corvino’s presentation He has been speak- against that. Georgetown University theologian’s ques- “What’s Morally Wrong with ing out on gay rights for “We want to explore the issue from an tioning whether Jesus offers the only road to Homosexuality?” was sched- 15 years, and has spoken academic perspective, not from the perspec- salvation; and a performance of “The Vagina uled last week at the college, on other Catholic cam- tive of an antagonistic attack to core Catho- Monologues” at the University of Notre but administrators postponed puses. lic values,” Balog said. Dame. it until April 22 after receiv- Some Aquinas stu- Asked whether he was pressured by The Washington Post contributed to this report. ing complaints. dents said they are upset Aquinas President Ed about the way adminis- Balog canceled the event trators handled the issue. Thursday, saying the Catho- It has sparked an online Catholic University announces lic school cannot endorse a debate in some parts of program that directly opposes the community. club for gay, straight students church teachings. John Corvino Tree Top Productions, “I’m not trying to keep people from see- an Aquinas student programming group, set ing him. I’m trying to prevent the college from up Corvino’s visit and said it was approved National Catholic Reporter ality and sexual orientation,” said a memo sponsoring an event that displays an attack by an adviser. February 22, 2008 from Goldrick to the student activities office. on Catholic teaching values,” Balog said. “The programming board had been ac- “I’m delighted and honored that this The cancellation came a week before tively advertising since January and they can- The University of Portland, run by the group of students got to be involved in a pro- Pope Benedict XVI’s scheduled meeting with celed the morning of the event. It was very Holy Cross Fathers, has recognized a club that cess and it went this way and got recognized,” more than 200 Catholic school officials from disrespectful to Corvino, and to the students seeks to build community and understanding club founder Valerie Silliman told The Bea- across the country. The gathering Thursday, that wanted to hear him speak,” said junior between students who are heterosexual and con, the University of Portland newspaper. at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., Bev Pels, 21. those with a homosexual orientation. Silliman, a senior English major from is being called a lecture, but Vatican watch- “I think they’re not bringing him because Approved in January, the Gay Straight Sequim, Wash., said the club will make the ers predict it will be an admonishment that there’s so much outside pressure. It’s not that Partnership’s mission statement university a more teaching and activities at U.S. Catholic col- the administration is homophobic, but the says it aims “to help all students welcoming place. leges and universities more closely adhere to policy appears to be that way and it’s alienat- grow in friendship, knowledge, The university church orthodoxy. ing to students.” faith and service.” Club mem- turned down groups Church officials won’t give details about She said organizers are hoping to find a bers also plan to educate stu- in 1994 and 1999 the content of the speech, but conservative new, off-campus venue that can seat up to 70 dents on issues surrounding that seemed to pro- Catholics are predicting — and hoping for people. Corvino has offered to speak for free. sexuality — without advanc- mote beliefs — shock waves from Benedict, who before Rebecca Kirk, 19, of Sturgis, was upset ing an agenda. counter to Catholic becoming pope was associated with public by the college’s decision because, she said, University vice president John Goldrick, teaching on homosexuality. The church reprimands of Catholic theologians and Aquinas is known for being more open- in charge of student life, approved of the club teaches that all homosexual acts are morally blocked appointments of university faculty minded than some private schools. after asking for some changes in its proposal, wrong but affirms the dignity of those with members he thought were too liberal. “We want to bring him ... so people can including the removal of a section on net- homosexual inclinations and says that hav- “One thing the pope will emphasize is hear what he has to say,” Kirk said. “The best working with other schools. ing such an inclination is not in itself sinful. the importance for all (Catholic) schools to way to get someone interested in hearing The university’s officers also suggested Advisers for the club will be Holy Cross realize that they aren’t independent contrac- someone is by censoring him.” the group strengthen the wording of its mis- Fr. John Donato, the university’s associate tors, they are part of the church,” said the Rev. Sophomore Anna Thiakos, 20, agreed. sion to ensure that “the group will provide vice president of student life, and Stacey David O’Connell, Catholic University’s presi- “It’s important that free speech isn’t cen- balanced programming and education and Noem, a campus minister. dent. sored and that we address the problem of will offer a clear, faithful presentation of the The group will receive a small budget, He said the Vatican is concerned about homophobia in our community, whether it’s Catholic church’s teaching about human sexu- which The Beacon reported is currently $174.
Gay-Friendly Catholic Colleges
Below is a partial list of known “gay-friendly” Catholic colleges and universities, that is, those Catholic colleges that have some type of gay and lesbian student group, support group, ally group, etc. Thank you for helping us add to this growing list! If you are aware of such a college that is known as welcoming to gay and lesbian people, please let us know. Tell us if this welcome is because of a club, support services, participation in gay community events, or simply the friendliness of faculty and staff.
Arizona Indiana Minnesota Oregon Tempe: All Saints Catholic Newman Center Notre Dame: Holy Cross College, Saint Mary’s Collegeville: Saint John’s University Marylhurst: Marylhurst University College, University of Notre Dame Saint Joseph: College of Saint Benedict Portland: University of Portland California St. Paul: St Thomas University Belmont: Notre Dame de Namur University Iowa Winona: Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Pennsylvania Goleta: St. Mark’s University Dubuque: Loras College Cresson: Mount Aloysius Los Angeles: Loyola Marymount University Montana Erie: Mercyhurst College Moraga: Saint Mary’s College Kentucky Helena: Carroll College Philadelphia: Chestnut Hill College, LaSalle Ranchos Palos Verde: Marymount College Louisville: Spalding University University, Saint Joseph’s University San Diego: University of San Diego Nebraska Villanova: Villanova University San Francisco: University of San Francisco Louisiana Omaha: Creighton University Santa Clara: Santa Clara University New Orleans: Loyola University New Orleans Rhode Island New Hampshire Newport: Salve Regina University Colorado Maryland Nashua: Rivier College Denver: Regis University Baltimore: College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Texas Loyola College of Maryland New Jersey Austin: Saint Edward’s University, University of Connecticut South Orange: Seton Hall Texas Fairfield: Fairfield University, Sacred Heart Massachusetts San Antonio: University of the Incarnate Word University Boston: Emmanuel College, Boston College New York New Haven: Albertus Magnus College Chestnut Hill: Boston College Albany: College of Saint Rose Vermont West Hartford: Saint Joseph College Easton: Stonehill College Bronx: Fordham University, Manhattan College Colchester: Saint Michael’s College North Andover: Merrimack College Buffalo: Canisius College District of Columbia Weston: Regis College New Rochelle: College of New Rochelle, Iona Washington Georgetown University Worcester: Assumption College, Holy Cross College Lacey: Saint Martin’s College College Poughkeepsie: Marist College Seattle: Seattle University Florida Riverdale: College of Mount Saint Vincent Spokane: Gonzaga University Miami Gardens: Saint Thomas University Michigan Rochester: Nazareth College of Rochester Miami Shores: Barry University Ann Arbor: St. Mary Student Parish Syracuse: LeMoyne College Wisconsin De Pere: Saint Norbert College Illinois Missouri Ohio Madison: Edgewood College Chicago: DePaul University, Loyola Univer- St. Louis: Saint Louis University Cincinnati: Xavier University, University of Milwaukee: Alverno College, Cardinal Stritch sity, Saint Xavier College Cincinnati University, Marquette University Columbus: Ohio State University Dayton: University of Dayton Spring 2008 BONDINGS Page 7 Gay-Friendly Parishes
Below is a partial list of known “gay-friendly” Catholic parishes and faith communities. Thank you for helping us add to this growing list! If you are aware of such a parish that is known as welcoming to lesbian and gay Catholics as members and active parishioners, 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.
Alabama Evanston: St. Nicholas Rochester: Blessed Sacrament, St. John the Montgomery: St. Bede Morton Grove: St. Martha Evangelist (Humboldt St.), St. Mary, St. Monica Oak Park: Ascension, Syracuse: St. Andrew the Apostle, St. Lucy Arizona St. Catherine of Sienna-St. Lucy Utica: St. Francis DeSales Mesa: Christ the King Schaumburg: St. Marcelline Wantaugh: St. Frances de Chantal Scottsdale: Franciscan Renewal Center Westbury: St. Brigid Tennessee Tuscon: St. Cyril of Alexandria, SS. Peter and Indiana Memphis: Cathedral of the Immaculate Paul, St. Pius X, Our Mother of Sorrows, Evansville: St. Mary North Carolina Conception St. Odilia Indianapolis: St. Thomas Aquinas Charlotte: St. Peter Durham: Immaculate Conception Texas California Iowa Fayetteville: St. Patrick Colleyville: Good Shepherd Berkeley: Holy Spirit Parish Iowa City: St. Thomas More Raleigh: St. Francis of Assisi Dallas: Holy Trinity Burney: St Francis of Assisi Plano: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Carlesbad: St. Patrick Kentucky Ohio Claremont: Our Lady of the Assumption Louisville: Epiphany, St. William, Akron: St. Bernard Virginia El Cajon: St. Luke Cathedral of the Assumption Cincinnati: St. George-St. Monica Arlington: Our Lady Queen of Peace Escondido: St. Timothy Cleveland: Ascension of Our Lord, St. Malachi, Richmond: Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Fremont: St. Joseph - Mission San Jose Maine St. Martha Sacred Heart Parish Hawthorne: St. Joseph (Spanish) Portland: Sacred Heart-St. Dominic Mentor: St. John Vianney Roanoke: St. Gerard Hayward: All Saints Saco: Most Holy Trinity University Heights: Church of the Gesu Virginia Beach: St. Nicholas LaPuente: St. Martha Westlake: St. Ladislas Lemon Grove: St. John of the Cross Maryland Wooster: St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Washington Long Beach: St. Matthew Baltimore: Corpus Christi, St. Francis of Assisi, Pullman: Sacred Heart Los Angeles: Blessed Sacrament, Christ the St. Matthew, St. Philip and James, Oregon Seattle: St. Benedict King, Mother of Good Counsel, St. Camillus St. Vincent dePaul Central Point: Shepherd of the Valley Tacoma: St. Leo Center-LA USC Medical Center (Spanish), Columbia: St. John the Evangelist Portland: Journey and Koinonia Catholic St. Paul the Apostle Gaithersburg: St. Rose of Lima Community, St. Andrew, St. Phillip Neri, Wisconsin North Hollywood: Blessed Sacrament, St. Jane Hagerstown: St. Ann St. Vincent dePaul Madison: Our Lady Queen of Peace, Frances de Chantal, St. Patrick Severn: St. Bernadette St. Benedict Center Sunday Assembly Oakland: Our Lady of Lourdes Pennsylvania Menomonee Falls: Good Shepherd Oceanside: St. Thomas More Massachusetts Philadelphia: Old St. Joseph, Old St. Mary, Milwaukee: Good Shepherd, Prince of Peace, Orange: Holy Family Cathedral, Koinoia Boston: Paulist Center, St. Anthony’s Shrine St. John the Evangelist, St. Vincent DePaul Trinity-Guadalupe Pleasanton: Catholic Community of Newton: Our Lady Help of Christians York: St. Joseph Pleasanton Sharon: Our Lady of Sorrows Canada Sacramento: St. Francis of Assisi Springfield: Sacred Heart Rhode Island Toronto: Our Lady of Lourdes San Carlos: St. Charles Worcester: Holy Cross College Providence: St. Francis Chapel San Diego: Ascension, Christ the King, Wickford: St. Bernard San Rafael, St. Jude Shrine Michigan San Francisco: Most Holy Redeemer, Ann Arbor: St. Mary Student Parish Detroit: St. Leo Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Agnes, To add your faith community to our list, please contact the New Ways Kalamazoo: Lambda Catholics St. Dominic Ministry office via [email protected] or at 301-277-5674. Thanks! San Jose: St. Julie Billiart, St. Martin of Tours St. Ignace: St. Ignatius Loyola (Emmaus Community) San Luis Obispo: Old Mission of San Luis Minnesota Obispo Minneapolis: St. Frances Cabrini, St. Joan of Arc, San Rafael: Church of San Rafael St. Stephen & Mission San Rafael Archangel Santa Clara: GALA Missouri Next Steps: Santa Cruz: Holy Cross Kansas City: Cathedral of the Immaculate Santa Monica: St. Monica Conception, Guardian Angels, St. Francis Developing Catholic Lesbian/Gay Ministry Spring Valley: Santa Sophia Xavier, St. James Walnut Creek: St. John Vianney St. Louis: St. Cronan, St. Margaret of Scotland, West Hollywood: St. Ambrose, St. Victor St. Pius V Whittier: St. Mary of the Assumption Montana Weekend Workshop for Pastoral Ministers, Colorado Billings: Holy Rosary Leaders of Catholic Institutions, Arvada: Spirit of Christ and all interested in lesbian/gay ministry Avon: St. Edward Nebraska Colorado Springs: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Omaha: Holy Family, Sacred Heart Sacred Heart August 8 - 10, 2008 Denver: St. Dominic, Christ the King, Nevada Mount Carmel Las Vegas: Christ the King, Guardian Loretto Spirituality Center Fort Collins: Blessed John XXIII Angel Cathedral 4000 South Wadsworth Blvd. Highlands Ranch: Pax Christi New Hampshire Littleton, CO 80123 (near Denver) Littleton: St. Francis Cabrini Manchester: Parish of the Transfiguration Merrimack: St. John Neumann Connecticut Description Hartford: St. Patrick-St. Anthony New Jersey Clifton: St. Brendan + How can Catholic communities respond compassionately and faith- District of Columbia Lawrenceville: St. Ann fully to the gifts, needs, and life experiences of lesbian and gay Holy Trinity, St. Aloysius, Long Beach Island: St. Francis of Assisi people and their families? St. Matthew Cathedral Trenton Falls: St. Anselm Florida + What skills, knowledge, and talents are needed to address lesbian/ New Mexico gay issues in Catholic environments? Ft. Lauderdale: St. Anthony, St. Maurice Albuquerque: Holy Family, Melbourne: Ascension Parish Shrine of St. Bernadette Naples: St. John the Evangelist Espanola: Sacred Heart of Jesus + What role can pastoral leaders play in building bridges between St. Petersburg: Holy Cross faith communities and those who feel alienated and ostracized Winter Haven: St. Matthew New York because of sexual orientation issues? Baldwinsville: St. Augustine Georgia Bellmore: St. Barnabas the Apostle This weekend of prayer, presentations, dialogue, and planning is designed Atlanta: Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Brooklyn: St. Andrew the Apostle, St. Boniface, to assist those seeking ways to include lesbian/gay people and issues in their St. Athanasius home parishes, schools, or other ministerial settings. Illinois Deer Park: Ss. Cyril and Methodius Berwyn: St. Mary of the Celle East Islip: St. Mary Chicago: Immaculate Conception, Elmira: St. Mary All interested in learning to develop lesbian/gay ministry programs are in- St. Clement, St. Gertrude, St. Gregory, Fairport: Church of the Assumption vited to participate. St. Peter, St. Sylvester, St. Teresa of Avila, Henrietta: Good Shepherd St. Thomas the Apostle Manhattan: Holy Name of Jesus, St. Francis Sponsored by New Ways Ministry. Clarendon Hills: Notre Dame Xavier, St. Paul the Apostle For more info, call 301-277-5674 or email at [email protected]. Country Club Hills: St. Emeric Melville: St. Elizabeth Page 8 BONDINGS Vol. 28, No. 2 The Unlikely Rebel least we’re talking about it,” she says. How does she view same-sex unions? By Ariadne Massa ing the silver cross, which she wears promi- “I’m part of the National Coalition of Times of Malta nently around her neck. American Nuns. In the 1990s, we made a March 16, 2008 So instead of disobeying her superior, she statement, and continue to make such state- transferred from the School Sisters of Notre ments, that marriage is a civil right. Basically, Sr Jeannine Gramick, the diminutive Dame to the Sisters of Loretto, who support I also believe that all the sacraments should Roman Catholic nun from the US, is urging Sr Jeannine in her ministry. So far, the Vatican be open to gay people, and that includes mar- the Vatican to show its compassionate side has stopped short of issuing a new edict. riage,” she stresses. to gay and lesbian Catholics and shun the “The edict made me very sad, because Though her opinion may not go down evil of prejudice that hounds this community. of what it represented. It was interpreted, well with the hierarchical Church, polls in the The subject of an acclaimed documentary, rightly so, by the gay and lesbian Catholic US show that around 50 per cent of Catho- Sr Jeannine tells Ariadne Massa the argu- community as another slap in the face; an- lics support same-sex civil unions. Though ment that gay sexuality is unnatural, is based other rejection,” she says. this support dwindles to 20 per cent when solely on ‘plumbing’. “It had meaning far beyond me. It didn’t asked if gays should be granted the sacrament Taking a sip of English Breakfast tea, Sr show the compassionate side of the Church, of marriage, Sr Jeannine is encouraged that Jeannine Gramick, 65, emits a peaceful aura which is what we should be about. I think it the level of acceptance had increased over that veils her steely resolve to pursue her mis- was mean-spirited. Of course, Church offi- time. sion to support gay and lesbian Catholics. cials look at it differently... one’s understand- How does she reconcile the arguments Dressed in a mint-coloured shirt, but- ing depends on where you stand.” that same-sex unions are unnatural? toned right up to her neck, and a blue cardi- To understand Sr Jeannine’s crusade, it’s “Our problem as human beings is that gan, it’s hard to imagine this nun, with her essential to trace her journey into this minis- Sr. Jeannine Gramick we think only one thing is natural and any- gentle demeanour, standing up to the Vatican try in 1971, when, following the Second thing beyond that is unnatural. We think that and sticking to her guns - “in a non-violent Vatican Council, a lot of ecumenical work superiors. what is natural for most has to be natural for way”. with other religions was underway. And so her ministry to educate and raise everybody and that’s not true. These argu- In Malta last night to address a public Having entered the convent at 18, be- awareness on struggle of the gay community ments are based on plumbing... one sexual talk titled ‘On Becoming Whole: Sexual and cause she felt she was “God’s No.1 best to seek acceptance and equality began and, organ fits in another... that’s ridiculous! This Spiritual Integration’, organised by Drachma, friend”, she was pursuing her Ph.D. in math- in 1977, she co-founded the New Ways Min- is a very male-based theology.” Malta’s gay Catholic group, Sr Jeannine ex- ematics education from the University in istry. Sr Jeannine believes there is radical need plains her crusade, which inspired the docu- Pennsylvania, when she got roped into reach- She has untiringly worked to promote for reform, and though new ideas are being mentary In Good Conscience. ing out to the gay community by an Episco- this cause for 35 years and she is the author pushed forward by theologians, these were In 1999, the Vatican’s Congregation for pal priest. of numerous articles and books on the sub- being quashed by the Vatican. Doctrine of the Faith, then led by Cardinal In those days, she believed “there was ject. She points out that the aim of the Con- Joseph Ratzinger (who is now the Pope), is- something psychologically wrong” with gays, A woman who prefers to look on the gregation was to create a platform for theo- sued an edict ordering Sr Jeannine to shut but suddenly her ideas were being challenged bright side, she is content to see that change logical ideas to flourish, but instead it took a down her New Ways Ministry, a Catholic cen- when she met successful gay professionals is happening, even though it tends to be ex- watchdog approach. tre working for the justice and reconciliation who seemed far from imbalanced. cruciatingly slow on the subject of sexuality Doesn’t she fear excommunication, if she of gays within the Church. Her involvement began when she be- and homosexuality. persists in her crusade? When the president of the Bishops Con- friended a gay man who had left the Catholic She refers to a document that emerged “No. But when I was going through the ference in the US asked Cardinal Ratzinger Church, and joined the Episcopal Church, be- from a bishops’ conference, which says, investigation process my provincial put the to explain, they were told this meant no re- cause he felt he didn’t fit in. “Prejudice against homosexuals is a greater idea in my head. She insisted we take a pil- treats, workshops or liturgical celebrations for “Me, the good little nun that I am, said, infringement on the moral norm than any kind grimage to the birthplace of our foundress to the gay and lesbian community. ‘Once you’re Roman Catholic, you’re always of sexual activity. pray for a miracle,” she recalls with an affec- Under Canon Law, this order cannot be Roman Catholic’. He said he would love to “Well, let’s put this into practice. Instead tionate smile. interpreted further than these words, which go to a Catholic Mass, but he didn’t feel wel- of the Vatican making all these pronounce- Through sheer coincidence, travelling on meant it did not stop Sr Jeannine from speak- come, so instead we celebrated a Roman ments about homosexual activity, let’s make the plane between Rome and Munich was ing publicly. Catholic Mass at his apartment for him and the pronouncement about the evils of preju- Cardinal Ratzinger himself. She spent that year travelling across the his gay friends and that’s what we did every dice and violence against the gay community. “My superior went up to him and said, US talking about the investigation. As a re- week,” she recalls. That’s what we should be teaching,” she ‘Sr Jeannine is a very good sister. We’re very sult, thousands upon thousands of letters “Gays, who had not been to Church for stresses. afraid she’s going to get excommunicated’. poured into the Vatican calling for the case decades because they felt rejected, came and Described by Time Out magazine in New And he replied, ‘Oh, no no... it’s not that level to be re-examined, but the Congregation de- left with tears of happiness that a Catholic York as, “a freedom fighter on the frontline of doctrine’,” she laughs, admitting that her cided against. nun and a priest had welcomed them. of the cultural wars”, Sr Jeannine doesn’t miracle had happened on the plane. Instead it went a step further to gag the “I spoke to my superiors and they were know whether she will live to witness the rec- As a nun who is very much devoted to nun, by ordering her religious superior in really women of vision who believed the onciliation between the Church and the gay her Church, Sr Jeannine feels the need to Rome to completely silence her on homosexu- Church had neglected the gay community and community. apologise to lesbians and gays “for all the pain ality and sexual matters. they encouraged me to do whatever I could,” “I never thought I would see same-sex and suffering we have caused”, and hopes she “I felt I could not abide by this order; it she says, adding that initially her fellow nuns marriage on the Church’s agenda. We may can make reparations through her work. was a matter of conscience,” she says, hold- in the convent weren’t as enlightened as her be coming out the wrong way on this, but at “I believe God loves each person as they are.”
DIALOGUE continued on page 8... Upcoming Programs the debate about legalizing same-sex mar- riage. October 3 -5, 2008 New Ways Ministry’s Executive Direc- tor, Francis DeBernardo, explained why they Magisterium, Theologians, and Folk Like Us: felt it was important for the pope to hear the Sex, Sexuality, and Developing Catholic Faith messages of lesbian and gay people. He noted Retreat/Workshop for Lesbian/Gay Catholics, Benedict’s former role in shaping Church Parents, and Pastoral Ministers teaching. “As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Pre- Aston, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia suburb) fect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under John Paul II, this churchman Facilitated by James Halstead OSA was the prime architect of policies and new teachings which were responsible for turn- December 12 - 14, 2008 ing back from a more positive and accepting Catholic approach toward lesbian/gay people Lesbian Sisters: Understanding, Education, and Action that had begun to develop in many dioceses Conference for women religious who are lesbian, and church institutions in the US and through- congregational leaders, or formation/vocation ministers out the world.” he said. Racine, Wisconsin DeBernardo explained that New Ways Ministry has long advocated for Church lead- ers to initiate a dialogue with lesbian and gay February 27 - March 6, 2009 people, so that Church teaching could be de- El Salvador: Land of Martyrs veloped from a more informed and enlight- ened position. LGBT-friendly pilgrimage led by Sr. Jeannine Gramick SL “We hope that the personal experiences described today by our panelists will not only For program and registration information, provide much needed information and in- please visit www.newwaysministry.org or call New Ways Ministry at 301-277-5674. sights for Catholic leaders, but will model the type of dialogic Church we envision,” he said.