B NDINGS Volume 27, No. 4 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Summer 2007 Bishop says gays welcomed at church Kicanas asks parishioners to help diocese reach out

By Stephanie Innes daughters and sons.” Action promotes mes- the state’s three bishops Arizona Daily Star So far he said he’s heard about 10 com- sages that go against publicly supported a pro- May 27, 2007 ments, generally thanking him for reflect- church teaching, he posed state constitutional ing on the issue. said. The group holds amendment that would Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas says he wants “More needs to be done,” Kicanas said forums exploring top- have banned mar- homosexual worshippers to know they are in an interview Friday. “It’s a difficult area. ics such as optional riage and also barred welcome in his Roman Catholic Diocese of Obviously, programs are not as important celibacy for priests governments from giving Tucson. as communication with people.” and allowing women benefits to employees’ Kicanas writes in this month’s edition Critics said Kicanas ostracized gays and into the priesthood. domestic partners. of The New Vision, the diocese’s newspa- earlier this year when he decided And Kicanas said Kicanas said several per: “I am very sensitive to the concerns I not to extend an invitation to retired Detroit it wasn’t so much the people personally shared have heard from people of same-sex orien- bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton to speak about Gumbleton contro- their concerns over the tation that they feel they have no place in as part of a program spon- versy that prompted bishops’ stance with him. our parishes or in the household of faith. sored by the local lay Catholic group Call his current article Saying she is “pleas- “We need to consider how we as a dio- to Action. Call to Action members sent about homosexuality antly surprised” at cese or how I as bishop may be generating Kicanas a letter of protest signed by 129 in The New Vision, but Kicanas’ efforts to reach such misunderstanding.” people, including 14 nuns. rather ongoing feed- out to the gay and Bishop Gerald Kicanas Kicanas, who oversees 350,000 Catho- All along, Kicanas maintained that the back from parishioners community, Call to Ac- lics in nine counties and holds the high-rank- problem wasn’t Gumbleton or the subject about the church’s position on homosexuals tion vice president Laurie Olson said she ing executive position of secretary to the matter of his talk. Gumbleton wasn’t wel- and same-sex relationships. U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is ask- comed by the local diocese because Call to That feedback intensified last year when KICANAS continued on page 6 ing parishioners to help the diocese figure out how to better serve the gay and lesbian Catholic population. He said part of his impetus for reach- Finding a Way ing out was criticism he heard after he and Some criticize the Church for being harsh, body made up of priests who represent the Arizona’s other two bishops publicly sup- By Bishop Gerald Kicanas The New Vision insensitive, unfair and discriminatory to different regions in our Diocese and key ported a proposed ban on gay marriage last people of same sex orientation. Others say priest advisors). We discussed how we year. Diocese of Tucson, AZ May 2007 the Church and its bishops are “too tolerant might reach out pastorally to Catholics in Among the ideas he has heard in early of gays.” our parishes who are gay and to parents discussions is having a parish where gay and Today in our society, homosexuality I, too, encounter this broad range of and family members who struggle with lesbian Catholics could worship in an “ac- is out of the shadows, where it was simply thoughts and feelings. I have met persons accepting and loving their sons and daugh- cepting environment that would help them not talked about, and is a significant soci- who fear the Church is marginalizing gay ters who have disclosed their orientation. live faithfully as Catholics.” etal issue that calls for moral reflection and persons, driving them away from the Church The consensus of our discussion was “I will continue to explore ways that our dialogue. On this topic, Catholics, like and making them targets for contempt and this: Ministry to homosexual persons is diocese can make clear to our Catholic others in our society, span a continuum even violence. I have met others who call best accomplished at the parish through people the consistent teaching of the Church from being condoning and accepting, un- for a clear denunciation and repudiation by spiritual direction and the sacrament of that ‘the Good News of Jesus Christ is for derstanding and compassionate, to mean the Church of people of same sex orienta- Reconciliation. all people,’” Kicanas wrote, “that each per- spirited and hateful. tion. “I am very sensitive to the concerns I son is created by God out of love and is This continuum exists as well when it Several years ago, I talked about min- have heard from people of same sex ori- therefore deserving to be treated with respect comes to opinions about the Catholic istry to homosexual persons with our entation that they feel they have no place and dignity, and that there are no gradations Church’s teaching on homosexuality. Presbyteral Council (a primary consultative WAY continued on page 6 within God’s family: All are his beloved

Sister Paula Brettkelly: embracing the despised GayNZ.com June 13, 2007 assist us would be turned down. It wasn’t. honours list for her anti-discrimination and Switchboard in Wellington had to find — And as the months passed by she says HIV rights advocacy. Her nomination was immediately — accommodation for a fif- Sister Paula Brettkelly freely admits she came to understand the gay men and les- heartily endorsed by the NZ AIDS Founda- teen year old gay boy. He’d been getting that, when she initially bians she helped and tion, and by gay and lesbian organisations hell, and had run away from home in the stepped forward to help worked alongside. “The and individuals including MP and cabinet South Island. Paula took him in for several fight against the most humbling and im- minister Chris Carter. days until we got it sorted. That’s pretty typi- stigmatisation of people pressive thing to me was In its supporting letter the NZAF’s ex- cal. She’s there, and if she can, she’ll help.” with HIV and gays and the immediate tolerance ecutive director, Rachael Le Mesurier, noted Logan believes Brettkelly showed lesbians, she had been and acceptance by the that “Sister Paula has been a steady and con- courage in turning away from those teach- brought up to “despise” AIDS community. They sistent voice of reason and compassion in ings of her church that define glbt people us. didn’t put up barriers, and for the Foundation... we still continue as sinners and finding her own understand- Although she was to they didn’t have the to be inspired by her personal generosity and ing. “For a Roman Catholic sister to align become one of the most preudices, so why unflinching commitment to our mission of herself with us must take a certain courage. potent not-so-secret should I.” Brettkelly reducing the transmission of HIV and sup- For over twenty years she’s advocated for weapons in late 1980s overcame her distaste porting people living with HIV and AIDS us, with a quiet clear voice, a fine tactical and early 90s fights for for homosexuals and her to maximise their health and well-being.” In sense, and a passionate sense of humanity fair treatment of people fear of HIV. 2005 the Foundation acknowledged her with and justice.” And when a gay-rights project with HIV (mostly gay In a word, the twin- a Life Membership. has needed the kind of mana that can be men) and equality in law Sr. Paula Brettkelly kling-eyed nun ‘bonded’ Wellington-based gay rights activist and bestowed by a committed and respected for homosexuals, Brettkelly’s Roman Catho- with her new gay and lesbian friends, to the counsellor Bill Logan remembers an ex- nun, Logan says Brettkelly has regularly lic religious upbringing and education had point where she has just been awarded the ample of Brettkelly’s willingness to go the obliged. “ When we’ve needed respectabil- taught her that we are sinners, to the extent prestigous Member of the New Zealand extra mile for gays in need. “At nine thirty ity, she’s always been willing to lend hers,” that she initially “half-hoped” her offer to Order of Merit in the Queen’s Birthday one evening about fifteen years ago the Gay he says. l Page 2 BONDINGS Vol. 27, No. 4 B NDINGS New guidelines issued for Summer 2007 Vol. 27, No. 4 ministering to GLBT Catholics Francis DeBernardo, Editor In Newsweekly see more and more Catholic groups, large and small, articu- Board of Directors By Chuck Colbert Mary Byers July 19, 2007 lating their own vision of community, pastoral practice, and Frank O’Donnell, SM ethics.” Duddy-Burke, of Boston, said the local Dignity Rev. Paul Thomas Dignity/USA, ’s largest and oldest faith com- chapter was active in the process, establishing a study group munity for GLBT Catholics, while meeting in convention and holding a “listening night” where individuals could of- Board of Advisors July 5 - 8 in Austin, Texas, issued new guidelines for pasto- fer their perspectives. Mary Ann Coyle, SL ral care of people. The guidelines, said Jeff Stone, True enough, what irked many GLBT Catholics, Dig- Cornelius Hubbuch, CFX a spokesperson, of the New York chapter of Dignity, were nity/USA president Sam Sinnett said was the bishops’ “not Patricia McDermott, RSM in response to the U.S. Conference bothering to consult with openly Barbara Regan, rc of Catholic Bishops’ Nov. 2006 LGBT people, or even with their Staff guide, “Ministry to Persons with a own diocesan ministries that Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines work directly with LGBT Matthew Myers for Pastoral Care.” people.” Mary Parker Last year, in their pastoral care “Our guidelines were devel- Betty Scholten document, the bishops wrote, “By oped through a process of broad its very nature, human sexuality consultation throughout our or- Co-Founders finds its proper fulfillment in the ganization and beyond over the Sister Jeannine Gramick Father Robert Nugent marital bond. Any sexual act that takes place outside the past six months,” said Sinnett. indissoluble and lifelong bond of marriage does not fulfill “Clearly, given the Catholic community’s realization Bondings is a seasonal publication designed to keep the proper ends of human sexuality. It is not directed to- that the bishops no longer provide trustworthy moral lead- our subscribers informed of issues that pertain to ward the expression of marital love with openness to new ership,” Duddy-Burke said, more “authentic voices” are now lesbian and gay people and the . life. It is disordered in that it is not in accord with this two- filling that “void” created by the hierarchy’s loss of cred- fold end and is thus morally wrong.” ibility. “We’ve certainly seen bolder statements from theo- Founded in 1977, New Ways Ministry is an educa- Ministry to gays and lesbians, the document says, re- logians and commentators in recent years,” she explained. tional and bridge-building ministry of reconciliation quires mandatory life-celibacy. The bishops discuss gay- Since they were issued last week, Stone said the reac- between the Catholic gay and lesbian community and tion to the guidelines has been so far uniformly positive. institutional structures in the Roman Catholic Church. ness, with language describing homosexuality, gay life and love as “same-sex attraction,” a “disorder or “inclination.” “Dignity’s pastoral care guidelines are based on solid New Ways Ministry seeks to eradicate prevalent Accordingly, the bishops oppose any form of civil recogni- theological and psychological foundations about the lived myths and stereotypes about homosexuality and tion for gay couples’ commitment, everything from domes- experience of LGBT people,” said Frank DeBernardo, ex- supports civil rights for lesbian and gay persons in tic partnership to civil unions to civil marriage - anything ecutive director of New Ways Ministry, a gay affirming, society. remotely approximating marital relationships. The bishops national Catholic education and research center. also oppose gay adoption because, they say, “homosexual “These guidelines are a helpful alternative to the U.S. For more information, contact: unions are contrary to the divine plan.” bishops’ 2006 guidelines, which were a radical departure New Ways Ministry, 4012 29th St., from U.S. Catholic thought and practice about gay minis- Mt. Rainier, MD 20712 Nonetheless, a growing consensus has emerged among (301) 277-5674 Dignity’s leaders and membership for a “proactive” rather try. The Dignity guidelines actually represent more clearly E-mail: [email protected] than “reactive,” response, Stone said, adding, “We want to the pastoral practice that is happening in the best gay minis- Web: www.newwaysministry.org develop the [Catholic] faith tradition that feels right and try programs in dozens of Catholic parishes and dioceses authentic” without “letting the bishops control us.” around the U.S. Mid-level Catholic leaders in Church insti- By comparison, Dignity’s pastoral care guidelines af- tutions have not found the bishops 2006 guidelines realistic firm the “inherent dignity” of GLBT persons in their “di- or helpful,” he added. versity” as “members of Christ’s mystical body.” The guide- Casey Lopata, of Fortunate Families, a Rochester, N. lines call for “equal participation” in Church life, including Y. -based gay positive ministry, primarily with Catholic par- the sacraments of marriage and ordination, specifically call- ents of GLBT persons, said his group also “welcomes” ing for “the opportunity to formalize our commitments, sac- Dignity’s pastoral guidelines. “They clearly reflect the kind ramentally” as well as through civil marriage. The guide- of pastoral care hoped and prayed for by the vast majority lines also offer support and encouragement for GLBT youth, of more than 275 Catholic parents of LGBT daughters and TO SUBSCRIBE... their parents and friends, and for the children of same-sex sons who responded to [a] Fortunate Families survey dur- COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORM BELOW couples. ing the past year,” he said. Ultimately, the document challenges all Catholics to Lopata also voiced hope that “bishops, pastors, and all “live out the Gospel values of service, compassion, and pastoral ministers will open their hearts and minds and lis- Please add my name to your mailing list. community,” reminding ministers and worshipping commu- ten to our LGBT daughters and sons,” he said. “They de- nities that “love of neighbor” lies at the heart of the “great serve the same pastoral care, if not more, given the hurt Enclosed is: commandment.” caused by the lack of such care. We fervently hope the insti- ___ $15.00 in the U.S. A former Dignity/USA national president and execu- tutional Church will seriously listen to and learn from our ___ $20.00 outside the U.S. tive director, Marianne Duddy-Burke, who played a key role daughters and sons, and ultimately offer them the compas- ___ I would like to receive Bondings, but crafting the pastoral guidelines, said, “Over time we will sionate pastoral care exhibited by Jesus in the Gospels.” l cannot donate at this time. ___ An extra contribution for those unable to donate

Name ______Catholic Gay Service to Be Presided Address ______Over by Woman City ______By Andy Humm GayCityNews.com State/Province ______Zip ______June 7, 2007 Home Phone______Dignity/NY, the LGBT Catholic group, will have a woman preside over its Gay Pride Mass for the first time on June 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Work Phone______Judson Memorial Church on Washington Square South. She is the Rever- end Victoria Rue, a Roman Catholic womanpriest who was ordained by E-mail______three Roman Catholic womenbishops in 2005. Jeff Stone, a spokesperson for the group, said, “This is a bold move for our community, but one to which we believe the Holy Spirit has called Please make check payable to “New Ways Ministry.” us.” Dignity has long supported the ordination of women, but had not Outside the U.S., please use only checks drawn on a called womenpriests to preside at their Masses. U.S. bank in U.S. dollars; no postal money orders. Father Bernard Lynch, a former theological adviser to the New York Mail to: New Ways Ministry, chapter now living in London, said in an e-mail, “If we believe as Jesus 4012 29th Street, did that all peoples are coequally created in the image of God, then let’s Mt. Rainier, MD 20712. stop the nonsense and get on with living this truth with justice for all. Good for Dignity. I offer them my heartiest congratulations, admiration Rev. Victoria Rue and respect.” l Summer 2007 BONDINGS Page 3 New archbishop led anti-gay ‘witch hunt’ O’Brien, opposed to gays serving as Catholic priests, to head Baltimore region

By Joshua Lynsen Seneco, whose church broke from Ro- Conference of Catholic Bishops also did not does not practice , or Washington Blade man Catholicism during the First Vatican respond to a request for comment. treatment that purports to make gays straight, Jul. 20, 2007 Council and is comparatively more liberal, But in an interview with the Baltimore but some chapters have recommended such challenged O’Brien’s handling of gay issues. Sun last week, O’Brien said homosexuality therapy to its gay members. Some gay Catholics are criticizing He said the archbishop was wrong to is “not conducive to a healthy view and liv- “Courage doesn’t try to convert you,” Baltimore’s new archbishop for taking what say gay men are unfit to become priests. ing out of celibacy” because “there’s secrecy Seneco said, “but it does try to relegate gay they call “ignorant” and “absurd” stances on “In order to be a priest, you have to love involved.” He also told the paper that the Catholics to second-class status.” gay issues. people, accept people and forgive people for military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy DiBernardo said such an approach is Archbishop Edwin O’Brien, who was who they are,” Seneco said. “None of those “seems to be working.” antithetical to church teachings. named last week to succeed the retiring Car- are skills that are reserved only for mascu- DiBernardo said Catholic leaders are in- “One is not in sin if one finds one’s self dinal William Keeler, staunchly opposes line, heterosexual men.” creasingly using the term “homosexual in- to be homosexual,” he said. “The Catholic gays becoming priests. Seneco, who lives clination” when speaking about gays. Church still teaches that, although bishops “I think anyone who with his partner in Wash- “But that’s not a view that holds up well like Archbishop O’Brien don’t seem to un- has engaged in homo- ington, also opposed in view of current science or in view of how derstand that very well.” sexual activity, or who has O’Brien describing people experience their sexuality,” he said. DiBernardo said O’Brien, who was a strong homosexual incli- same-sex attractions as “I don’t think it’s a view that Catholic lead- military chaplain in Vietnam and led the U.S. nations, would be best not “homosexual inclina- ers should continue to propagate.” military archdiocese for 10 years, might to apply to a seminary and tions.” O’Brien also has drawn criticism for his change his views after spending time in Bal- not to be accepted into a “I’m not inclined to role in helping to found Courage, a New timore. seminary,” he told the Na- be gay, I was born gay,” York group that ministers to gays and in- “I think that having been involved in tional Catholic Register in Seneco said. “I’m in- structs them to be celibate. the military for so long has probably given 2005. clined to have The group, founded by O’Brien and him only one perspective on homosexuality O’Brien also has sug- McDonald’s for lunch.” others in 1978, now has 110 chapters world- that hasn’t been very positive,” he said. gested that gays fail to pro- Debbie Weill, wide. “That’s why I think being in Baltimore, vide “a strong role model former executive director “I think that Courage, in the way it was where there has been a lot of good ministry of maleness,” and are of the gay Catholic group originally conceived, could be a helpful min- with gay and lesbian people, that there’s a therefore unfit to become Dignity USA, has criti- istry for people who want to remain celi- possibility for him to open up his mind.” priests. cized the seminary re- bate,” DiBernardo said. “There are some DiBernardo said O’Brien might learn Bishop Edwin O’Brien “That shows a very view as a “witch hunt.” people who choose that as their lifestyle.” from the Baltimore parishes that have wel- ignorant understanding of homosexual ori- “With the recent offensive against gay But he said the group has moved away comed gays and talked openly with them entation,” said Francis DiBernardo, execu- seminarians, and by extension all gay priests, from its founding principles and now regards about their lives and experiences. tive director of New Ways Ministries, a Benedict XVI secures his spot among the same-sex attractions as a “psychological “This is a real instance of the bishop Maryland organization that advocates for the many religious leaders of all denominations defect” and “a problem to be overcome.” stands a lot more to learn from the grassroots inclusion of gays in the Catholic Church. who continue to demonize LGBT people,” The organization’s web site says it fos- in Baltimore than the other way around,” he “He would be a better archbishop in she wrote in a Washington Blade opinion ters fellowship among gay Catholics so that said. “So if the Holy Spirit is showing any Baltimore if he would broaden his views piece last year. “no one will have to face the problems of wisdom in this decision, it’s that the deci- concerning lesbian and gay people.” O’Brien did not respond this week to a homosexuality alone.” sion is to help educate Archbishop O’Brien.” Baltimore’s archdiocese, which serves Blade interview request. The United States DiBernardo and Seneco said Courage 510,000 Catholics in the city and nine coun- ties in central and western Maryland, is the nation’s oldest diocese. Gay Catholics said O’Brien could sig- nificantly change the archdiocese, which Victory for same-sex marriage advocates welcomed gays during the 18 years Keeler led it. In contrast to Keeler, whom DiBernardo By Chuck Colbert said allowed gay Catholic groups to cel- National Catholic Reporter Family Institute, two groups that supported amendment, she said, “had a struggle of con- ebrate Mass on church grounds and kept an July 6, 2007 the ballot measure, said he was “disap- science.” office for gay ministries, O’Brien has spo- pointed” with the vote, but added, “This is “They are people of strong faith who ken negatively about gays. After more than five years of conten- not the end. ... We’ve been cared that they act in “We don’t want our people to think, as tious debate over the definition of marriage here for 16 years and we are ways that are moral and our culture is now saying, there’s really no in Massachusetts, lawmakers handed same- going to continue to pro- just,” she said. difference whether one is gay or straight, is sex marriage advocates a victory June 14 mote traditional family val- The amendment was homosexual or heterosexual,” he told by defeating an amendment that would have ues with marriage as the No. defeated in part because NewsHour on PBS in 2005. “We think for rolled back civil-marriage rights for gay and 1 issue.” some lawmakers who had our vocation that there is a difference, and lesbian couples. The Catholic hierar- previously supported it our people expect to have a male priesthood On Jan. 2, the marriage amendment chy, along with its lobbying changed their minds. A that sets a strong role model of maleness.” garnered the support of 62 lawmakers. But arm, the Massachusetts case in point is Rep. Paul O’Brien, who leads the Archdiocese for this time the vote was 45-151, falling short Catholic Conference, and Kujawski, D-Worcester, the Military Services, coordinated the of the 50 necessary to advance the measure other lay Catholic groups who said, “What moved Vatican’s evaluation of U.S. seminaries in to voters in November 2008. Two consecu- have been outspoken me was person after per- 2005 and 2006 after the church sexual abuse tive sessions of the Legislature must approve against gay marriage. son who told the same crisis. That review included an investigation ballot measures before the voters have their Throughout the amendment story, but not in exactly to “look for evidence of homosexuality,” say. campaign, Boston Cardinal the same words, that ‘I leading many critics to accuse the church of “Marriage is secure in Massachusetts,” Sean P. O’Malley appeared didn’t ask to be born this an anti-gay witch hunt. O’Brien said at the said attorney Mary Bonauto, civil rights at several high-profile ral- way.’” lies and news conferences, time that even gays who have been celibate project director at Gay & Lesbian Advocates Mary Bonauto Kujawski, a Catho- for 10 or more years should not be admitted & Defenders. speaking out against lic, said two priests and to seminaries. Bonauto argued the Goodridge v. De- “unelected judges” who redefined marriage two eucharistic ministers spoke with him, When he moves to the Baltimore arch- partment of Public Health case before the without the people’s consent. making arguments against the marriage diocese Oct. 1, O’Brien will gain control Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. Catholic Conference executive director amendment. His wife and two sons also over St. Mary’s Seminary and Mount St. On Nov. 18, 2003, the court found no “ra- Ed Saunders said that his organization was urged him to vote it down. Mary’s Seminary, the nation’s first two train- tional basis” to exclude gay and lesbian assessing what to do next. He attributed the He explained during a telephone inter- ing grounds for priests. couples from the responsibilities, benefits setback to “extreme pressure” put on state view that painful stories of parental rejec- Rev. Michael Seneco, the gay presid- and duties of civil marriage. lawmakers by gay marriage backers. tion, embarrassment, and even outright os- ing bishop of the North American Old Catho- Heading into the June 14 vote, Nearly 50 percent of the population of tracism of a gay or lesbian family members lic Church, said he hopes O’Brien will not MassEquality.org, a coalition of groups Massachusetts identifies as Catholic. Yet affected his decision. Individuals spoke bar gay students from joining the school. formed to preserve same-sex marriage, and more and more Catholic lawmakers and citi- about having to move away from home, find- “I think that it’s absurd that any one fact the Massachusetts Gay & Lesbian Political zens have come to view same-sex marriage ing full acceptance only from their life part- of a person automatically should blankly Caucus stepped up their activities, lobbying as no threat to the Commonwealth, accord- ners, he recalled. For Kujawski, voting disqualify them from any service to the lawmakers and sponsoring TV commercials. ing to Holly Gunner, an ACLU representa- against the marriage amendment means people,” Seneco said. “It’s like saying people Kris Mineau, spokesperson for tive on the MassEquality board. Catholic same-sex couples “are able live with dig- with red hair shouldn’t be chefs.” VoteOnMarriage.org and the Massachusetts legislators who voted against the marriage nity and happiness.” l Page 4 BONDINGS Vol. 27, No. 4 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, involvement with parents, or simply the friendliness of pastoral staff.

Alabama Peter, St. Sylvester, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Melville: St. Elizabeth Montgomery: St. Bede Thomas the Apostle Rochester: Blessed Sacrament, St. John the Country Club Hills: St. Emeric Evangelist (Humboldt St.), St. Mary, St. Arizona Evanston: St. Nicholas Monica Mesa: Christ the King Morton Grove: St. Martha Syracuse: St. Andrew the Apostle Scottsdale: Franciscan Renewal Center Oak Park: Ascension, St. Catherine of Sienna- Utica: St. Francis DeSales Tuscon: St. Cyril of Alexandria, SS. Peter St. Lucy Wantaugh: St. Frances de Chantal Tennessee and Paul, St. Pius X, Our Mother of Schaumburg: St. Marcelline Westbury: St. Brigid Memphis: Cathedral of the Immaculate Sorrows, St. Odilia Conception Indiana North Carolina California Evansville: St. Mary Charlotte: St. Peter Texas Berkeley: Holy Spirit Parish Indianapolis: St. Durham: Immaculate Conception Colleyville: Good Shepherd Burney: St Francis of Assisi Fayetteville: St. Patrick Dallas: Holy Trinity Carlesbad: St. Patrick Iowa Raleigh: St. Francis of Assisi Plano: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Claremont: Our Lady of the Assumption Iowa City: St. Thomas More El Cajon: St. Luke Ohio Virginia Escondido: St. Timothy Kentucky Akron: St. Bernard Arlington: Our Lady Queen of Peace Fremont: St. Joseph-Mission San Jose Louisville: Epiphany, Cathedral of the Cleveland: Ascension of Our Lord, St. Richmond: Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Hawthorne: St. Joseph (Spanish) Assumption, St. William Malachi, St. Martha Sacred Heart Parish Hayward: All Saints Mentor: St. John Vianney Roanoke: St. Gerard LaPuente: St. Martha Maine University Heights: Church of the Gesu Virginia Beach: St. Nicholas Lemon Grove: St. John of the Cross Portland: Sacred Heart-St. Dominic Westlake: St. Ladislas Long Beach: St. Matthew Saco: Most Holy Trinity Wooster: St. Mary of the Immaculate Washington Los Angeles: Blessed Sacrament, Christ the Conception Seattle: St. Benedict King, Mother of Good Counsel, St. Maryland Tacoma: St. Leo Camillus Center-LA USC Medical Center Baltimore: Corpus Christi, St. Francis of Oregon (Spanish), St. Assisi, St. Matthew, St. Philip and James, St. Central Point: Shepherd of the Valley West Virginia North Hollywood: Blessed Sacrament, St. Vincent dePaul Portland: Journey and Koinonia Catholic Shepherdstown: St. Agnes Jane Frances de Chantal, St. Patrick Columbia: St. John the Evangelist Community, St. Andrew, St. Phillip Neri, St. Oakland: Our Lady of Lourdes Gaithersburg: St. Rose of Lima Vincent dePaul Wisconsin Oceanside: St. Thomas More Hagerstown: St. Ann Madison: St. Benedict Center Sunday Orange: Holy Family Cathedral, Koinoia Severn: St. Bernadette Pennsylvania Assembly Pleasanton: Catholic Community of Philadelphia: Old St. Joseph, Old St. Mary, St. Menomonee Falls: Good Shepherd Pleasanton Massachusetts John the Evangelist, St. Vincent dePaul Milwaukee: Prince of Peace, Trinity- Sacramento: St. Francis of Assisi Boston: Paulist Center, St. Anthony’s Shrine York: St. Joseph Guadalupe San Carlos: St. Charles Newton: Our Lady Help of Christians San Diego: Ascension, Christ the King, San Sharon: Our Lady of Sorrows Rhode Island Canada Rafael, St. Jude Shrine Worcester: Holy Cross College Providence: St. Francis Chapel Toronto: Our Lady of Lourdes San Francisco: Most Holy Redeemer, Old Wickford: St. Bernard St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Agnes, St. Michigan Dominic Detroit: St. Leo To add your faith community to our list, please contact the New Ways San Jose: St. Julie Billiart, St. Martin of Kalamazoo: Lambda Catholics Tours (Emmaus Community) St. Ignace: St. Ignatius Loyola Ministry office via [email protected] or at 301-277-5674. Thanks! San Luis Obispo: Old Mission of San Luis Obispo Minnesota San Rafael: Church of San Rafael & Mission Minneapolis: St. Frances Cabrini, St. Joan of San Rafael Archangel Arc, St. Stephen Santa Clara: GALA Excerpt from Soho Mass Homily for Santa Cruz: Holy Cross Missouri Santa Monica: St. Monica Kansas City: Cathedral of the Immaculate Ascension Day Spring Valley: Santa Sophia Conception, Guardian Angels, St. Francis Walnut Creek: St. John Vianney Xavier, St. James West Hollywood: St. Ambrose, St. Victor St. Louis: St. Cronan, St. Margaret of Whittier: St. Mary of the Assumption By Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, OP Scotland, St. Pius V May 20, 2007 image of God that needs to disappear. Colorado Maybe we still have God as the celestial Nebraska policeman, the accuser of sins, God as the Arvada: Spirit of Christ Omaha: Holy Family, Sacred Heart Boulder: St. Thomas Aquinas Most of us will live through moments eternal parking attendant, waiting to catch Colorado Springs: Our Lady of Guadalupe in which God appears to disappear from us. us out, or God as the great President of the Nevada We lose God. When we are children we may Denver: Cathedral of the Immaculate Las Vegas: Christ the King, Guardian Angel Universe. In which case, we have not yet loose God as the old man with a beard in the Conception, St. Dominic Cathedral fully celebrated the Ascension. We must Fort Collins: Blessed John XXIII sky, as we shall lose Father Christmas. As let these images of God disappear, fade Highlands Ranch: Pax Christi New Hampshire we grow older, we may lose God as a com- away, so that we can discover the God who Littleton: St. Francis Cabrini Manchester: Parish of the Transfiguration forting presence, or Jesus as our friend. I delights in our very existence, and dwells Merrimack: St. John Neumann went through a period in my early days as a Connecticut at the core of our being. friar, even before I was ordained, when God Hartford: St. Patrick-St. Anthony Or maybe it is other people who make New Jersey seemed to have gone. It can be very fright- us feel ill at ease, not at home. I think that Clifton: St. Brendan District of Columbia ening and painful. Some people feel that they this may be something this congregation Lawrenceville: St. Ann have tumbled out of belief and that the world Holy Trinity, St. Aloysius, St. Matthew Trenton Falls: St. Anselm has experienced from time to time! We may Cathedral has no meaning. Then we have to wait until feel that we are not proper Catholics or New Mexico God gives himself more intimately than we second class because we are gay, or di- Florida Albuquerque: Holy Family could have guessed. Saints like Teresa of vorced and remarried, or poor, or because Ft. Lauderdale: St. Anthony, St. Maurice Espanola: Sacred Heart of Jesus Avila and Therese of Liseux had to wait a life has just taken unexpected turns. Most Melbourne: Ascension Parish long time. Naples: St. John the Evangelist lives do! In which case rather than be an- New York So like the disciples, we can rejoice St. Petersburg: Holy Cross gry or internalize that rejection, we must Baldwinsville: St. Augustine today at the disappearance of Jesus. It is all be compassionate for those whose lives are Winter Haven: St. Matthew Bellmore: St. Barnabas the Apostle part of our coming home to God, or God’s haunted by oppressive images of God. Brooklyn: St. Andrew the Apostle, St. Boniface making his home in us. So the Church should Georgia Deer Park: Ss. Cyril and Methodius The apostles who witnessed the dis- Atlanta: Shrine of the Immaculate be a sign of our home in God. East Islip: St. Mary appearing of Jesus still clung on to images Conception Elmira: St. Mary But let’s be honest. It does not always of God that took time to go. It took them Fairport: Church of the Assumption feel like home. Lots of people do not feel at time to realize that the God who only Illinois Henrietta: Good Shepherd ease in the Church. This may be because we wanted to have Jews in his community was Berwyn: St. Mary of the Celle Long Island: Sacred Heart feel that God does not want us here. If that Chicago: Immaculate Conception, St. gone and that we Gentiles also are at home. Manhattan: Holy Name of Jesus, St. Francis is the case, then we are living with some We are all learning. l Clement, St. Gertrude, St. Gregory, St. Xavier, St. Paul the Apostle Summer 2007 BONDINGS Page 5 Gay priest leaves parish he loves He grew closer to Alameda Catholic congregation when he shared long-kept secret in 2005 homily

By Matthai Chakko Kuruvila in its effect. It causes a lot of anxiety in some 2001 has been powerful in many small ways. ment, a spokeswoman said. San Francisco Chronicle circles. ... It creates this reality that people He greets children on one knee so that While most parishioners were support- June 23, 2007 don’t want to face.” little ones can meet him at eye level. He cre- ive, Danyluk said two people were upset, For most of his life, Danyluk avoided ated a team of parishioners to give the homi- including a mother of two children attend- A Catholic parish in Alameda and its openly facing his homosexuality. He knew lies one weekend a month. He built relation- ing the parish’s schools who made an ap- priest fell in love with each he was gay by about ships among parishioners by instituting a pointment to see him. other over the past six seventh grade. In weekly snack and chat time after Mass. “I guess you’ll be pushing the gay years, but today they’ll say seminary in the late But several church members said his agenda in both schools,” she said, but goodbye. 1960s, he went to the words are the real gems. They are found in wouldn’t tell him what she thought the “gay Worshipers at St. Jo- rooms of fellow semi- his midweek e-mail bulletin, his answering- agenda” was. seph Basilica say Father narians, had his first machine message, unscripted moments and “I told her the only agenda I’ve ever Rich Danyluk knit them sexual experiences his homilies. pushed in my life is the gospel of Christ,” together as a community and pretended that In September 2005, Danyluk was an- said Danyluk, who says he has mentioned and gave inspired homilies they never happened. gered by the Vatican’s proposed guidelines gays and lesbians only a few times in his that forced them to look “That’s sick. about gay seminarians. As eventually homilies. “I said your two children — I love deeper into their lives. That’s using some- adopted, they prohibit the acceptance into them, and they love me. I treat them very Danyluk, known as Father body,” he says now. “It seminary of “those who practice homosexu- humanly and very respectfully, unlike what Rich, says he’s leaving to was the acting out.” ality, present deep-seated homosexual ten- you’re doing to me right now.” get a year of rest after 31 Within a few dencies or support the so-called ‘gay cul- The woman stayed in the congregation years in the priesthood. years, he began drink- ture.’ “ but avoids him when possible, he says. But the 59-year-old ing heavily. Danyluk thought it was time to speak Other parishioners say Danyluk has cleric says St. Joseph is the “It gave me a little up to his parish. transformed their lives. place that accepted him more freedom to do Church hierarchy had decided that the Haering, 40, said Danyluk visited her Rev. Richard Danyluk wholly, the place where things that I knew were theme that week was about accepting, not and her once-athletic husband every week he was forced to grow. It is also where, in wrong,” he said. “It just numbed the senses.” rejecting. Father Rich told the story of his for many months as multiple sclerosis wasted 2005, he told the congregation that he is gay. In the early 1980s, he began seeing a aunt. his body. Before Dave Haering died at age The revelation did not rock the church. counselor to come to terms with his sexual As she lay dying, she cried and told him 38 in November 2005, family, friends and The parish and its leader, the only gay Catho- orientation but returned at times to drinking she was a lesbian. “I’m so afraid I’m going Father Rich gathered around him for a bless- lic priest in the Bay Area who is out to his and illicit sex. He was stopped twice for to hell,” she said. ing. congregation, grew to love each other even drunken driving while leading a Southern “That’s not how God works,” he re- Danyluk asked them to share what they more. California parish in the 1990s. After the sec- called for the congregation. He grabbed the had learned from Dave. Pope Benedict XVI has called homo- ond arrest, in November 1999, he was sent Gospel and held it aloft before the congre- “Rich has a way of asking just the right sexuality “objectively disordered,” the to a rehab center in Minnesota. gation. “This is either the good news for question to make you look deeper in your- Vatican issued guidelines almost two years That was a turning point in his life. Be- everybody or nobody,” he said. self than where you knew you could go,” ago saying gay men should not enter the fore leaving for treatment, he told worship- That included all gays and lesbians, he Dana Haering said. “My husband was in a seminary, and Cardinal William Levada, ers at his final service about his alcoholism, said, including those in attendance, to whom coma. He wasn’t going to come out of it. former archbishop of San Francisco, has said apologized and asked for forgiveness and he added: “I’m one of you.” And yet what he made us look at was, ‘What that openly gay priests make it difficult for prayers. They gave him a standing ovation. There was no backlash from the bishop have we learned?’ congregations to see clergy as embodying He said he’s abstained from alcohol and of Oakland, the Most Rev. Allen H. “There wasn’t a person in the room who Jesus Christ. has been celibate ever since. Vigneron, who Danyluk says supports gay didn’t realize how blessed we had been to Still, 1,800 families pack into St. Joseph Parishioners say Father Rich’s influence priests. The diocese’s top clergy were on a have David in our lives and to have Rich in at five Masses every weekend to hear Fa- at the Alameda church since he arrived in retreat this week and unavailable for com- our lives.” l ther Rich. “He’s the most deeply spiritual person I’ve ever met,” said Sue Spiersch, 62, a life- FINDING A WAY continued from page 1 long Catholic and a member of St. Joseph in our parishes or in the household of tation can live in communion with the the Church we need to continue to reach out since 1972. She said Danyluk made a con- faith. We need to consider how we as a Dio- Church and remain faithful in living as a to them and invite them to return home; and gregation of strangers into friends. cese or how I as bishop may be generating Catholic. that we need to find ways to assist those with Said parishioner Dana Haering, 40, a such misunderstanding.” We reflected in our discussion on the same sex orientation who want to remain in lifelong Catholic: “He finds a way to make At the parish, priests need to receive struggle that parents face in accepting a son communion with the Church. you feel God’s presence — as my pastor, as people of same sex orientation with com- or daughter who disclose to them their same While no final recommendations on a my friend. Isn’t that what (a) relationship passion and should assist them pastorally sex orientation. Concern was expressed that ministry plan resulted from our discussion, should be?” in their efforts to live as disciples of Christ. if these sons and daughters are not welcomed it is clear to me that our ministry plan must Danyluk says he is merely living out the I thought then that this was a sound ap- and appreciated by the Church they will turn uphold Catholic teaching while it helps us Gospel. proach to ministry to those with same sex to the secular culture for acceptance. to welcome people of same sex orientation, “Being gay in the Catholic Church orientation. I still think that, but I also now We talked about the importance of par- to support them in living “authentic human means, for me, that all my life I was brought believe we should be doing more. ents learning how they can relate to their integrity and holiness of life” and to encour- up feeling that I was unworthy and didn’t Last November, the U.S. Conference children of same sex orientation in such a age “their full and active participation” (“To belong and very negative things were said of Catholic Bishops published the docu- way that, in the words of the recent docu- Live in Christ Jesus: A Pastoral Reflection from the church,” he said in an interview ment “Ministry to Persons with a Homo- ment, “the bonds of love among the family on the Moral Life,” U.S. Conference of this week. “Hearing that over and over again, sexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral members remain intact.” We also explored Catholic Bishops, 1976). Our plan also must you could almost believe it. Care.” The document calls on diocesan ways that Catholics of same sex orientation challenge any degradation. Such treatment “There’s a passage in Scripture that God bishops to develop a ministry to persons who want to live in communion with the deserves condemnation from the Church’s said to Jesus, ‘You’re my beloved son in with a homosexual inclination. It calls pas- Church can find the personal and spiritual pastors, wherever it occurs.” whom I’m well pleased.’ I believe God says toral leaders and diocesan bishops to exer- support they need. I am very sensitive to the concerns I that to every male, and he says ‘You’re my cise leadership and to provide support for Some suggested that it would be help- have heard from people of same sex orien- beloved daughter’ to every woman. Finally, such a ministry. ful if there would be a parish where Catho- tation that they feel they have no place in that sunk into me, that I don’t need a priest I met recently with a group of pastoral lics of same sex orientation could worship our parishes or in the household of faith. We or a bishop or a pope to tell me who I am. I leaders and parishioners to reflect on this in an accepting environment that would help need to consider how we as a Diocese or want everyone else to have that same right.” document and to formulate some ideas to- them in living faithfully as Catholics. The how I as bishop may be generating such mis- Gay priests illustrate the Catholic ward developing a ministry. The discus- group suggested that pastoral leaders in our understanding. Church’s paradoxes on homosexuality, said sion was lively, engaging and wide rang- parishes – priests, religious, deacons and I will continue to explore ways that our the Rev. Jim Schexnayder, resource direc- ing. laity – need catechesis and formation on how Diocese can make clear to our Catholic tor for the National Association of Catholic I heard that in whatever ministry we to respond pastorally to people of same sex people the consistent teaching of the Church Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries. ultimately may develop we must challenge orientation. that “the Good News of Jesus Christ is for The church’s teaching that homosexual any attitudes, language or actions in the There was emphasis in our discussion all people,” that each person is created by acts are grave sins means that priestly vows Church and in society that demean people on these three points: that pastoral leaders God out of love and is therefore deserving of celibacy can be a comfort for gay Catho- of same sex orientation. I heard that we must listen carefully to the lived experiences to be treated with respect and dignity and lics seeking to keep the faith. But few gay need to be clear about the Church’s moral of their people and try to relate the Church’s that there are no gradations within God’s priests are out, fearing repercussions from teaching on homosexuality. I heard that it teaching to those experiences in a convinc- family: all are His beloved daughters and superiors or their congregations. is important that we articulate a positive ing way; that while there are some people son. I welcome your comments and reflec- “Homosexuality is a third rail,” vision of how a person of same sex orien- of same sex orientation who want no part of tions. l Schexnayder said. “It tends to be so electric Page 6 BONDINGS Vol. 27, No. 4 International No Straight Matter

By Ariadne Massa thumbscrews, but I don’t think it’s like that write with their right hand,” he adds. - requires a lot of dedication when you con- Times of Malta at all. He’s certainly more moderate, intelli- So what in his opinion should the sider how many other options there are.” June 16, 2007 gent and sensitive than his predecessor,” he Church do about this? One of the things Dr Alison is trying to Realizing he was gay at the age of nine, said. “I’m not saying the Church should do do with his theology is to “furnish the ground Briton James Alison went on to join the Now, he believes there is more space anything. What I’m keen to see is that we for people who are very frightened to have Dominican Order at 22 after he discovered for discussion, so he is trying to highlight are able to live the truth a soft landing”. the joy of being loved by God. At 36, he left what he feels is the essential curiosity about without being afraid. We He points out that for the order, because he felt he was an accom- gay issues for the Catholic faith. In his opin- shouldn’t be frightened of many people in high- plice in a lie. ion it’s quite simple. losing our faith by becom- ranking positions, such as Today, the 48-year-old theologian lives “If there is such a thing as gay people, ing who we discover our- politicians, coming out of in a juridical no man’s land, as he gains no- then according to the Catholic Church’s own selves to be if we’re gay, the closet was combined toriety by daring to spark a discussion on understanding of being human these people nor meaning that we lose with the intense fear of gay issues and the Catholic Church. must flourish from where they are,” he said. our souls by being gay if losing their reputation, so In Malta to give a public talk today at He explains that the traditional teach- we remain Catholic,” he this had to be overcome. Rafiki’s Self-expression, Msida, at 11 a.m., ing assumed the fundamental premise that insists. But how could he be Dr Alison insists that the gay people were defec- He is obviously aware part of the Church if he veil of silence shrouding tive heterosexuals. of the difficulty the official did not subscribe to its this issue had to be tackled. However, a revolu- Church faces in adjusting teaching? The talk is being orga- “What I propose is this: tion has been happening to the new reality of gay “My point is that I do nized by Drachma, a Catho- Is it possible for any of over the last 50 years in people being honest and subscribe to its teachings. lic group of gay, lesbian, us to get beyond this Western cultures that straightforward about who This brings me back to bisexual and shouting match and for challenged this belief as they are. James Alison the question of whether What he’s noticed happens in many dif- there is such a thing as a person who is gay. people who meet to pray the Church to live the it became increasingly together, in collaboration common for people to ferent countries is that the easiest way for This is a question of truth... like is the sea with The Malta Gay Rights truth without fear and say: “Yes, I’m gay, so the Church to defend its official position is wet? This is not something that’s dependent Movement and Building embrace gay people?” what?” to find a group of people who are extremist on Church teachings,” he insists. Unity Through Diversity, in This gave scientists and disagree with it and then “shout” at them. Has the Church threatened him with a bid to initiate a healthy the opportunity to study “So then the groups can shout at each excommunication or tried to silence him? public debate on gay and Christian issues. what gay people were like and come to the other and you can get a nice piece of iden- “No. Effectively, I’m not part of any The author of numerous books, Dr conclusion that there was nothing here that tity politics with an anti-clerical group and religious order, and I don’t have a parish or Alison confides that he started to speak out led to dysfunction - this was not a condition the Church holding firm against monstrous a teaching job. I sometimes say Mass when on the subject because he refused to lose his like anorexia or kleptomania, where people hordes. Of course it’s a lie on both parts,” I’m invited, so effectively I’m unemployed heart. He is also confident that under Pope needed help. he said. and survive by writing. Benedict XVI, a debate on homosexuality “There is no evidence to suggest that “What I propose is this. Is it possible “Precisely because no-one is respon- has a better chance of happening than dur- being attracted to someone of the same sex for any of us to get beyond this shouting sible for me, I often find and meet bishops ing the reign of Pope John Paul II. is anything other than a regularly occurring match and for the Church to live the truth and significant Church leaders, who are very “Pope Benedict XVI is a much more variant in nature... like being left-handed. without fear and embrace gay people? pleased that someone is doing what I’m do- moderate man. I think the press finds it easy For a long time this was thought to be a de- “The difficulty, of course, is that in most ing. They know perfectly well that if some- to depict him as this Pope John Paul II with fect and left-handed people were forced to Catholic countries, the laity is pretty toler- one had to take charge of me someone would ant about gay people... In practice, very few make them shut me up. So it’s at my own bishops or priests believe there is anything risk and expense.” wrong with gay people, so in a sense they’re Dr Alison also points out that people KICANAS continued from page 1 left defending a fantasy doctrine, without sometimes underestimated how intelligent being able to say the truth.” Pope Benedict XVI has been in all this. When asked if the Church’s stand on “He has made it quite clear that this is- als. On the contrary, we do try to reach issues such as homosexuality and contracep- sue is a Third Order issue, which means it’s hopes Kicanas will continue the dialogue by out to them and explain the Catholic posi- tion were leading to a decline in church at- not at the excommunication level. This is speaking with the local GLBT — gay, les- tion. But we do love the sinner, hate the tendances, Dr Alison felt the reason was very important because it means there is bian, bisexual and transgender — commu- sin.” more symptomatic of present culture. hope that it will be resolved over time with- nity, as well as with parents of GLBT chil- The issue has been discussed for many “People are growing up with so many out huge fuss, anger or schism. dren. years, including during the tenure of the different options of entertainment and ways “I love the Church and it seems to me “I am seeing the church doing the same late Bishop Manuel D. Moreno, who was of passing time that the whole notion of go- it’s my job to bear witness to the truth. I may thing on this as they do with women — they Tucson bishop between 1982 and 2003. ing to Church to pray and listen to the Word not be doing it very well, but at least one make decisions without ever discussing them In 1997 Moreno and other U.S. bishops of God - which is normally explained badly has to have a go.” l with a woman,” she said. issued a letter titled “Always Our Chil- Olson also wondered how Kicanas will dren” in support of gay and lesbian family be able to reconcile his outreach efforts with members. church teaching that gay sex acts are con- “Bishop Moreno had a task force trary to and that gays and lesbi- looking at the response to people of same- Pope graces Prodi ans should remain chaste. The church says sex orientation but it was put on hold,” “homosexual inclinations” are “objectively Kicanas said. “I was in a quandary, really, www.iol.co.za about what might be a helpful way to move disordered,” a phrase it defines as “an incli- June 18, 2007 civil unions, called DICO in Italy, in Febru- forward.” nation that predisposes one toward what is ary, which has been criticised by senior Kicanas recently met with a group of truly not good for the human person.” Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, church functionaries. priests and lay leaders to talk about last Olson said she was reminded of a car- whose plan to approve gay Top Italian Arch- November’s guidelines adopted by the toon where a couple walks by a Catholic marriages has sparked ten- bishop Angelo U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, church and comments how nice it is that the sion with the Roman Catho- Bagnasco recently re- titled “Ministry to Persons With a Homo- church is reaching out to gays and lesbians. lic church, received com- ceived a bullet and his sexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pasto- On the church is a banner that says, “Wel- munion on Sunday from photograph stamped ral Care.” come inherently disordered persons!” Pope Benedict XVI in the with a swastika in the The guidelines say that while having Joel Fago, a retired Catholic who lives town of Assisi. mail, apparently for a homosexual orientation is not sinful, in Sierra Vista, is also concerned about how Prodi was also seated his opposition to the sexual activity between same-sex partners Kicanas is reconciling church teachings, next to the pope at a meal af- project. is morally wrong. And they say the church which Fago says were missing from Kicanas’ ter mass at San Francesco, Bagnasco, who is does not support same-sex marriage or the New Vision article. the celebrated Franciscan archbishop of Genoa adoption of children by same-sex couple. Fago understands same-sex relations to monastery and church which and also president of But the document also says that be “intrinsically evil,” a phrase that has been was constructed after the can- the Italian Episcopal people with homosexual inclinations used in some church documents. onization in 1228 of Saint Conference, main- “must be accepted with respect, compas- “The misunderstanding Bishop Kicanas Francis of Assisi. tains that a family can sion, and sensitivity.” The guidelines con- Romano Prodi is generating is in not stating the Catholic They discussed the only be founded on demn all forms of violence, scorn and ha- position on homosexuality. … How he is situation in the Middle East, the ANSA news marriage between a man and a woman and tred, whether subtle or overt, against gays doing this is not in keeping with our faith,” agency said. has appeared to compare same-sex partner- and lesbians. l Fago said. “We do not hate the homosexu- Prodi’s government proposed allowing ships to incest or pedophilia. l Summer 2007 BONDINGS Page 7 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 Illinois Minnesota Columbus: Ohio State University Tempe: All Saints Catholic Newman Center Chicago: DePaul University, Loyola University, Collegeville: Saint John’s University Dayton: University of Dayton Saint Xavier College Saint Joseph: College of Saint Benedict California St. Paul: St Thomas Univeristy Pennsylvania Belmont: Notre Dame de Namur Indiana Winona: Saint Mary’s University of Minne- Cresson: Mount Aloysius University Notre Dame : Holy Cross College, Saint sota Erie: Mercyhurst College Goleta: St. Mark’s University Mary’s College, University of Notre Dame Philadelphia: Chestnut Hill College, LaSalle Los Angeles: Loyola Marymount Montana University, Saint Joseph’s University University Iowa Helena: Carroll College Villanova: Villanova University Moraga: Saint Mary’s College Dubuque: Loras College Ranchos Palos Verde: Marymount Nebraska Rhode Island College Kentucky Omaha: Creighton University Newport: Salve Regina University San Diego: University of San Diego Louisville: Spalding University San Francisco: University of San Louisiana New Hampshire Texas Francisco New Orleans: Loyola University Nashua: Rivier College Austin: Saint Edward’s University, Santa Clara: Santa Clara University University of Texas Maryland New Jersey San Antonio: University of the Incarnate Colorado Baltimore: College of Notre Dame of Mary- South Orange: Seton Hall Word Denver: Regis University land, Loyola College of Maryland New York Vermont Connecticut Massachusetts Albany: College of Saint Rose Colchester: Saint Michael’s College Fairfield: Fairfield University, Sacred Boston: Emmanuel College, Boston College Bronx: Fordham University, Manhattan Heart Univ.ersity Chestnut Hill: Boston College College Washington New Haven: Albertus Magnus College Easton: Stonehill College Buffalo: Canisius College Lacey: Saint Martin’s College West Hartford: Saint Joseph College North Andover: Merrimack College New Rochelle: College of New Rochelle, Seattle: Seattle University Weston: Regis College Iona College Spokane: Gonzaga University District of Columbia Worcester: Assumption College, Holy Cross Poughkeepsie: Marist College Georgetown University College Riverdale: College of Mount Saint Vincent Wisconsin Rochester: Nazareth College of Rochester De Pere: Saint Norbert College Florida Michigan Syracuse: LeMoyne College Madison: Edgewood College Miami Gardens: Saint Thomas University Ann Arbor: St. Mary Student Parish Tarrytown: Marymount College Milwaukee: Alverno College, Cardinal Miami Shores: Barry University Stritch University, Marquette University Missouri Ohio St. Louis: Saint Louis University Cincinnati: Xavier University, University of Cincinnati

Panel leads AIDS talk Out There

By James Marconi it’s different - people are more comfortable The Second National Conference The Circle, Marist College talking about it. Back then I felt like I was of Scholars and Student Affairs Personnel April 19, 2007 alone.” Involved in LGBTQ Issues on Catholic Campuses Medicine has also drastically improved, On Monday night, a frank panel discus- according to Barile, but it does come at a sion with three people living with AIDS steep price, literally. The conference will take place at DePaul University, Chicago, marked the arrival of twelve sections of the “I pay roughly $2,200 per month,” he Illinois on October 19 and 20, 2007. It is open to faculty, staff, AIDS Memorial Quilt at Marist. The color- said. I wiped out my whole life savings. In and students involved in LGBTQ issues on Catholic campuses. ful segments, a tribute to those who have order to get [social] services, you almost died from AIDS complications, will hang in have to be poor.” the Rotunda until Thursday evening. Davis agreed that the price for life-sav- The conference will feature papers, roundtable presentations, “It’s about living,” said Cornell Davis, ing medications is particularly steep, but said panels, and/or workshops that address issues of scholarship, curricu- one of the panelists. “We live our lives as that he is grateful the United States military lum, pedagogy, campus climate, and support for LGBTQ students, pays for his treatment. normal people. Anything, with perseverance, faculty, and staff. The program will address a wide range of issues can be overcome.” “I’ve been pretty fortunate,” he said. “I Though Davis displayed considerable am a veteran of the Vietnam era, so I get all of relevance to LGBTQ faculty, staff, and students at Catholic optimism, statistics in a slide show presented of my medications through the VA.” institutions, from nuts-and-bolts organizing in student services to during the course of the evening reinforced At the end of the day dealing with AIDS the place of LGBTQ Studies at Catholic universities and the chal- the grave nature of the worldwide AIDS means living life one day at a time, accord- lenges of Catholic identity for LGBTQ individuals. epidemic. Forty-two million people around ing to Davis, who said he “thanks God” for the globe live with the disease, and over 25 each moment that he has with his family. million people have died of AIDS-related Patterson Davis agreed. complications since 1991. “I have four beautiful boys. It is a Even “with all the education and money struggle, but I’m still living to see my chil- Along Italian Roads, in the United States, 44,000 people are in- dren through life,” she said. “I was [also] fected each year,” said Brother John Nash. blessed to see my first grandchild.” As people who have to deal with its ef- Though the Davises and Barile are tes- Ancient and New fects on a daily basis, Cornell Davis, his wife taments to those who have AIDS, many more Peggy Patterson Davis (an ’03 Marist have succumbed to its effects. To commemo- alumna), and Ben Barile feel it is their obli- rate this fact multiple clubs around campus, A LGBT-Friendly Pilgrimage gation to educate people about how to pre- spearheaded by the Lesbian, Gay, Straight to Sicily, Naples, and Rome vent and how to deal with AIDS. Alliance raised the funds necessary to bring Patterson Davis said that in the present a portion of the AIDS Quilt to Marist. The day, perceptions of AIDS have changed college itself contributed about half of the March 4-14, 2008 enough for those infected to seek help and necessary $1400. support professionally, and from loved ones. “The AIDS Quilt itself serves as a “Back [when I was first diagnosed] memorial…to those who have lost their lives led by there was not really anyone to talk to,” to AIDS,” said LGSA secretary Jennifer Sr. Jeannine Gramick, SL Patterson Davis said. “I was struggling to Cadic, who coordinated the various clubs. get through my education. I wasn’t able to “To me personally it’s very emotional to see For more information, contact Sr. Jeannine talk freely about this, and it hurt me. Today the panels of those who were lost.” l via [email protected] or call 301-864-3604 Page 8 BONDINGS Vol. 27, No. 4 Opinion Speaking as an adopted gay Catholic…

By Andrew Pierce visits of the man and lady who came after a children. Some of these children have to wait brain. Gays would not have gone to Catho- The Telegraph, London two-hour bus ride from their home in years before they are found a home. I waited lic adoption agencies in the first place. While January 27, 2007 Swindon, where they had three birth chil- nearly three. Maybe I was important principles dren. I’m glad they came. They fell for the difficult to place. Yet, are at stake, there is This is going to get me into trouble with chubby two-year-old, in his red duffle coat when they adopted me, something far more im- the vocal equality lobby, as all gays are sup- and Rupert Bear check trousers, whom they my parents said I was a portant here. Decades posed to be outraged by the Roman Catho- introduced to Liquorice Allsorts, which are pretty rounded little boy. of experience will be lic Church’s stance on adoption. still my favourite sweets. They adopted me The nuns did good, even lost if the agencies are Well, I’m gay and I’m not. I don’t agree a few months later. if I would not share my squeezed out by the with it, but I can live with it. To hear some Nor do I necessarily believe the expla- Liquorice Allsorts. conflicting forces of of the arguments of the last week, you would nation from nuns that my birth mother was What would those Church and State. think it was the most important battle be- engaged to my birth father, who they said nuns make of the current It may be the last tween Church and State since the Reforma- died in a car crash. It may have been a story adoption debate, which thing you would expect tion. the nuns concocted to make Miss Connolly has descended into abuse from a gay man, but for But what I do find difficult to accept is seem more respectable. As if that mattered. on both sides, not least once, and probably the that the Catholic adoption agencies will shut This is a first for me, as I have written because the hapless Ruth only time, I am with if they refuse to accept the law requiring about adoption only once, aged 14, in a let- Kelly, the Communities Ruth Kelly; however, them to treat same-sex and straight couples ter to Marje Proops, which was published Secretary, is in the she is far too damaged as equal. And yes, I am biased. I spent the by the Daily Mirror when the law was middle? Cardinal Keith as a politician to make first two years of my life in a Catholic or- changed to let the adopted children track O’Brien, the leader of the the argument for an ex- phanage in Cheltenham. Then I was Patrick, down their birth parents. Catholic Church in Scot- emption for the Catho- born in Bristol, the son of Margaret So why speak out now? Well, it seems land, should be ashamed lic Church. Connolly. Father’s name: unknown. that no one has thought about the innocents for his jibe that gays who adopt are plung- But there should be one. The Catholic Sadly, I have no memories of life in caught in the crossfire of Labour’s crusade ing Britain into a “spiral of immorality”. adoption agencies looked after me until I Nazareth House. Nor do I remember Mar- to bring the centuries-old Roman Catholic Equally, the Catholic teaching on homosexu- was placed into the arms of adoptive par- garet Connolly, who was encouraged by the Church into line with its own new doctrine. als — “intrinsically disordered” — repre- ents who loved me from the moment they nuns to visit the son she loved, but could I am talking about the 230 children sents the worst sort of claim to moral supe- first took me home. It is appalling even to not cope as a single parent in the harsh moral whom the 12 Catholic adoption agencies riority. contemplate taking that privilege away from climate of the 1960s. placed last year. They also handled 32 per Yes, the Church stance is a slight on gay hundreds of other kids just because they I don’t remember, either, the weekend cent of all the so-called “difficult-to-place” couples – but, for heaven’s sake, use your cannot be placed with gay parents. l Scripture and Homosexuality

By litionists in nineteenth-century America. without exception, as completely beside Jesuit magazine, America, some fourteen The Daily Dish Blog During the 1850s, arguments raged over the point and deeply wrong? years ago: June 12, 2007 the morality of slave-holding, and the Luke Johnson is particularly candid about “(The Roman Catholic Church) exegesis of Scripture played a key role this point: defines Gay people by a sexual act in a As any reader of “Virtually Normal” in those debates. The exegetical battles We appeal explicitly to the way it never defines heterosexual will know, I do not doubt that the con- were one-sided: all abolitionists could weight of our own experience and the people, and in this, the church is in demns homosexual sexual acts. Any intel- point to was Galatians 3:28 and the experience thousands of others have weird agreement with extreme Gay ac- lectually honest, Christian defense of gay Letter of Philemon, while slave owners witnessed to, which tells us that to tivists who also want to define homo- love and relationships needs to confront that had the rest of the Old and New Testa- claim our own sexual orientation is sexuality in terms of its purely sexual reality. We reformists are clearly confront- ments, which gave every indication that in fact to accept the way in which God content. Whereas being Gay is not about ing what we believe are the false premises slaveholding was a legitimate, indeed has created us. By so doing, we ex- sex as such. Fundamentally, it’s about and assumptions about homosexuality that God-ordained social arrangement, one plicitly reject as well the premises of one’s core emotional identity. It’s about we find in Scripture. In this conflict with to which neither Moses nor Jesus nor the scriptural statements condemning whom one loves, ultimately, and how texts, of course, we are not the first Chris- Paul raised a fundamental objection. So homosexuality-namely, that it is a that can make one whole as a human tians to challenge the Bible, as Luke Johnson how is it that now, in the early twenty- vice freely chosen, a symptom of hu- being ... a single person’s moral equi- explains: first century, the authority of the scrip- man corruption, and disobedience to librium in a whole range of areas can Our situation vis-à-vis the author- tural texts on slavery and the arguments God’s created order. improve with marriage ... because there ity of Scripture is not unlike that of abo- made on their basis appear to all of us, Here’s how I put it in an interview with the is a kind of stability and security and rock upon which to build one’s moral and emotional life. To deny this to Gay Upcoming New Ways Ministry Events people is not merely incoherent and wrong, from the Christian point of view. It is incredibly destructive of the September 21-23, 2007 May 23-25, 2008 moral quality of their lives in general... You can’t ask someone to suppress Becoming a Mature Christian Becoming a Mature Christian what makes them whole as a human being and then to lead blameless lives. We are human beings, and we need love presented by presented by in our lives in order to love others, in James Keenan, SJ Anthony Gittins, CSSp order to be good Christians! What the church is asking Gay people to do is not to be Holy, but actually to be warped Xavier Center Racine Dominican Center ... no wonder people’s lives, many Gay Convent Station, NJ Racine, WI lives, are unhappy or distraught or in dysfunction, because there is no guid- ance at all. Here is a population within A Retreat/Workshop A Retreat for lesbian/gay Catholics, the church, and outside the church, des- for lesbian/gay Catholics, parents, pastoral ministers perately seeking spiritual health and parents, pastoral ministers and other interested individuals values, and the church refuses to come to our aid, refuses to listen to this call.” and other interested individuals For his entire article, please see: Johnson, For more information, contact New Ways Ministry Luke Timothy. “Homosexuality and the via email at [email protected] or call 301-277-5674. Church”. Commonweal. June 15, 2007: 14-17. l