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A Publication of New Ways Ministry Vol. 34, No. 2 Summer 2014

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A Publication of New Ways Ministry Vol. 34, No. 2 Summer 2014 B NDINGS Vol. 34, No. 2 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Summer 2014 By Bob Shine to in 2012 after the Jesuit parish ended Bondings 2.0 its affiliation with Dignity Toronto Dig- NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com nité, which now meets elsewhere. An- July 1, 2014 other church, St. Joseph’s Church in Ottawa, sent a delegation to join AIM’s LGBT and ally Catholics appeared at liturgy and march in the WorldPride Pride festivities around the world this parade, having witnessed in their local month, visible signs of Pope Francis’ de- parade for many years. sire for a more merciful and welcoming The Ontario English Catholic Teach- Church. Canadians welcomed Catholics ers Association (OECTA) also marched from around the world for World Pride in World Pride’s parade following sev- 2014 celebrations, while Catholics in the eral months of criticism from Toronto’s U.S. participated in local celebrations. cardinal and others who opposed the Toronto was the site for World Pride teachers union’s decision to march. this year. All Inclusive Ministries (AIM), OECTA President James Ryan told the National Post the Parishioners from St. Francis Xavier in Manhattan in the city’s Pride parade. teachers’ participation was an “internal union united in justice, love and respect for matter” made through a Catholic parishes in the U.S. marched in Pride parades in their cit- one another. What’s exciting about it is democratic process. The they come from a very affirming com- paper reports further: ies, as well. In Chicago, St. Clement Church parishioners marched along- munity.’” “In March, the OECTA In Boston, contingents from voted to send a contin- side Dignity/Chicago members gent of more than 100 to for the second year in a the parade as a visible row. The Chicago Trib- and vocal message that une reported on the marchers: Catholic-school teachers “‘We don’t want to be dictat- in the province want ed to anymore,’ said Rob students to feel support- Svendsen, 41, a parishioner at ed and free from discrim- St. Clement for nine years. ination. ‘With the new pope, we’ve all “OECTA is just aligning been given a new ray of with other public unions hope.’… and teachers’ unions “‘What St. Clement Franciscans from St. Anthony’s staff their Pride Canada-wide, said Mr. demonstrates is there are booth in Boston. Ryan, whether Catholic or Catholics in the pews out not. there who think this is a time based at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in “‘Coast to coast in Canada, pretty to be united and give witness that city, brought “its message of faith and much every teachers’ union I know of to what the church’s true mis- love to this celebration” by welcoming does support LGBT rights without ex- sion is,’ [former Dignity ception,’ [Ryan] said. ‘The Canadian president Chris] Pett said. London’s LGBT Catholics march in Pride. Catholics from around the world to their (Photo by Martin Pendergast) monthly Mass and gathering. AIM began Teachers Federation has been very for- ‘We are here to advance jus- tice. We should be a church with support of the Archdiocese of Toron- ward with its support for LGBT rights.’” both Boston College and St. Anthony Shrine were present during the city’s June 14th Pride festival. For their part, the Franciscan friars from St. Anthony’s in Boston hoisted a banner with the pope’s famous “Who am I to judge?” quote in rainbow lettering. In San Francisco, St. Agnes, Most Holy Redeemer, and other Bay Area parishes joined together to ‘show their Catholic pride‘ at the city’s parade. By Father Peter Daly In New York City, parishioners from National Catholic Reporter vide is generational. The other divide is not admit it. personal. Personal experience is important. St. Francis Xavier Church marched, as did May 5, 2014 a collaborative contingent from various The generational divide is the most More and more people are coming out Pope Francis has asked our bishops to obvious and clear-cut, but not absolute. as gay. More and more people will have metro NYC area gay-friendly parish- report to Rome on what is actually hap- Older people are less accepting of to accept their relationships. Our young- es, marching behind the banner of pening in the parishes in regard to mar- LGBT relationships. Younger people er people nearly always know someone “LGBT Catholics and Friends.” riage and family life. Among the many see no problem. In fact, younger people who is out as gay and find it very easy In London, England, members of the topics to be discussed are "same-sex un- often think the church should move be- to accept. This is a sea change from a Archdiocese of Westminster’s pastoral ions between persons who are, not infre- yond mere acceptance to affirmation. generation ago. outreach to LGBT people (called “Soho quently, permitted to adopt children." The dividing line seems to be about age More and more gay relationships Masses” because of the neighborhood in I think that our parish is a fairly typi- 50. are being discussed, even in a conserva- which they originated) took part in that cal middle-class, mostly white, English- This generational divide is radical tive community like ours. In the past city’s pride march, complete with a giant speaking, American parish. I also think it and serious. For some young people, it few years, at least a dozen parents have street puppet of Jesus draped in a rainbow would be fair to say that our approach to determines whether or not they will re- come to me to tell me that their children flag. same-sex couples, including marriage and main Catholics. One young man left our are gay. They are supportive of their Repeatedly, Pride participants cited adoption, is evolving. One might charac- church over the issue. As the older Cath- children. They want to know how I will Pope Francis as a reason for their witness terize our approach as public silence and olics die off, the church will find very respond. I always encourage them to this month and also tied their actions to private acceptance. little acceptance of its current negative accept and love their child. the Church’s standing commitment to In public, we are silent about the fact position on gay relationships. We will Two of my friends who go to other social justice that has resulted in Ameri- that some of our fellow parishioners are find ourselves culturally marginalized in parishes left the Catholic church when can Catholics’ overwhelming support for gay, even though some people are aware countries like the United States. their children came out. They simply LGBT equality. Earlier this of their relationships. The personal divide is more subtle could not accept a church that judged month, Bondings 2.0 suggested that In private, we are accepting their rela- and harder to quantify. People who their children to be "intrinsically disor- marching for Pride was a key way to show tionships so long as we don't have to know someone in their family or circle dered." If someone is put in the position solidarity for church workers under in- acknowledge them. of friends who is publicly gay are much of choosing between his or her child and creased scrutiny for their support and in- Such a modus vivendi is not really an more accepting of LGBT people than the church, they will obviously and volvement with marriage equality or be- ethical resolution to the question. In fact, people who claim they don't know any- quite rightly choose their child. cause of their gender identity. it is merely a strategy for avoidance. one who is gay. Of course, the fact is, The hyperbolic and harsh language Additionally, many of the parishes men- There seem to be two great divides in everyone actually does know someone of the church will have to change. It is tioned above are on New Ways Ministry’s my parish over issues facing lesbian, gay, who is gay. They just know that their not accurate, and it is not charitable. listing of gay-friendly Catholic parishes and communities. To find a parish near bisexual and transgender people. One di- friend or family member is gay but does (Continued on page 8) you, review our list on page 7. Page 2 BONDINGS Vol. 34, No. 2 B NDINGS Simply Loving Summer 2014 Vol. 34, No. 2 By James Martin, SJ the loved person seems to be applied only in the case of America Magazine gays and lesbians. To take another example, it would be May 26-June 7, 2014 Francis DeBernardo, Editor like telling a child, “You’re a sinful child, but I love you Everybody knows that same-sex marriage and homo- anyway.” This can end up sounding more like, “Hate the Board of Directors sexual acts are contrary to Catholic moral teaching. Yet sinner.” Mary Byers that same teaching also says that gay and lesbian people Look how Jesus loved people who were hated in his Jeannine Gramick, SL must be treated with “respect, sensitivity day. Take the story of Zacchaeus, Ryan Sattler and compassion.” As more states pass the diminutive man who climbs a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse laws legalizing same-sex marriage, more gay and lesbian Catholics are entering of Jesus as he passes through Board of Advisors Jericho (Lk 19:1-10). As chief Cornelius Hubbuch, CFX into these unions. This leaves some Catholics feeling caught between two tax collector, and thus head of all Anna Koop, SL values: church teaching against same-sex the tax collectors in the region, Louise Lears, SC marriage and church teaching in favor of Zacchaeus would have also been Anthony LoGalbo, OFM compassion.
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