B NDINGS Vol. 36 No. 3 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Spring-Summer 2017 John Stowe leads prayer at LGBT Catholic gathering By Patricia Lefevere who have pursued "a life of faith in a Kentucky Catholics and others farther "Our usual way of thinking is that The National Catholic Reporter church that has not always welcomed or afield. justice and mercy are incompatible," May 4, 2017 valued" them or their worth. As a "The flack has been enormous and Stowe said. But has asked shepherd, he needs to hear their voices continues on the blogosphere" and from Catholics to find new ways to work Chicago — Clad in traditional and take seriously their experience, he "self-righteous strangers online and those together, to open up new possibilities and brown Franciscan robes, Bishop John said, adding that both the presence and who subscribe to these feeds," Stowe to try to be nonjudgmental of one Stowe of Lexington, Kentucky, seemed said, calling some of the another, he added. "We all still require at home among the rainbow of colors posts and e-mails [mercy]; it's about the need for a conver- at New Ways Ministry’s eighth annual "vicious." sion of attitudes for both the institutional symposium here April 28-30. This was The uproar quieted church and for all its members," Stowe the first time that the bishop had spoken somewhat after the bishop said. in front of the advocacy group, which addressed the issue on a When Stowe was asked how he felt supports , , bisexual and local Catholic radio show the church should respond to cases of Catholics. in December 2016, "but it LGBT employees — many of whom had "New Ways Ministry made me want never completely died been fired from long-held church posi- to come here," the bishop told NCR down. I expect it will re- tions when their same-sex marriages during a 40-minute interview at the surface after the sym- were publicized or outed — he stressed gathering. He has been observing and posium," he said. that the church must be consistent and admiring the group's outreach to LGBT Among objectors, Stowe non-discriminatory in dealing with all its Catholics over several years, he added. believes there are many employees. New Ways Ministry director Frank who are sincere Catholics “We must preserve our tradition and DeBernardo invited Stowe, 51, after he'd and are "really struggling" our integrity as a church," he said. "We heard the bishop give scriptural reflec- with all the issues around risk contradicting ourselves if we want tions at the 2016 annual meeting of the homosexuality. He said he our employees to live by the church's Conference of Major Superiors of Men. hopes and prays "for a teaching and if we ourselves as an "I couldn't believe what I was culture of encounter" to institution don't live by our teaching, hearing," DeBernardo said, comparing ensue so "we can become which has always opposed discrim- Stowe's words to those of Pope Francis fully engaged with those ination of any sort." and to St. Francis of Assisi. All three who want to live the men seemed to be saying that "it was the Catholic life and who love For more stories about New church's job to take the Gospel to the the . ... Ways Ministry’s Eighth National margins," DeBernardo said. Bishop John Stowe, OFM, Conv., addresses New Why would we want to Stowe said he was honored to be Ways Ministry’s Eighth National Symposium. turn our backs on them?" Symposium, as well as how to asked "to break open God's Word" with he asked. order audio recordings from the 300 weekend participants. The persistence of LGBT Catholics inspired Stowe harkened back to St. Francis' the event, see pages 6 and 7. Franciscan offered homiletic reflections him. encounter with the beggar 800 years ago. on two Gospel texts read at the April 28 They've shown "a valuable At first, the leper with his open sores Stowe thought the church could find opening prayer service (Matthew 12:1- expression of mercy" in calling the repelled him, but later St. Francis was a way to "defend our religious liberty 14) and at the April 29 morning service church "to be more inclusive and more able to kiss the leper. "He was trans- without violating any one's human (Luke 6:37-45). Retired Auxiliary Christ-like despite being given so many formed by his encounter," the bishop rights." Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit, reasons to walk away," he said. said. The reaction was fitting for a sym- He pointed to its century-long also on the program, had to decline due But his acceptance of the invitation posium with the theme "Justice and championing of working people, of their to a viral infection. to address the New Ways Ministry Mercy Shall Kiss: LGBT Catholics in the rights to a living wage, to humane gathering did not sit well with many Stowe said he is humbled by those Age of Pope Francis." (Continued on page 6) As Church Shifts, a Cardinal Welcomes Gays; They Embrace a ‘Miracle’

By Sharon Otterman “The word I use is ‘welcome,’” sensitivity.” They can follow the “It’s the beginning of a dialogue,” The New York Times Cardinal Tobin said in an interview just principle of accompaniment, meaning said Francis DeBernardo, the executive June 13, 2017 before the Mass last month. “These are they can meet people where they are director of New Ways Ministry, a group people that have not felt welcome in spiritually and build relationships that that ministers to and is an advocate for NEWARK — The word other places. My prayer for them is that help them deepen their faith. gay Catholics. “The church leadership, “pilgrimage” usually evokes visions of they do. Today in the Catholic Church, for the past 40 years, has far-off, exotic places, but for some 100 we read a passage that says you have to just been so silent, and gay and lesbian Catholics and their be able to give a reason for your hope. unwilling to dialogue, families, a pilgrimage to the Cathedral And I’m praying that this pilgrimage for and unwilling to pray Basilica of the Sacred Heart here on a them, and really for the whole church, is with L.G.B.T. Catholics recent Sunday was more like a a reason for hope.” that, even though this homecoming. Four years ago, Pope Francis shook isn’t the ultimate step, The doors to the cathedral were the Catholic world with his comment it’s a first step,” he said opened to them, and they were welcomed about gay priests seeking the Lord: of Cardinal Tobin’s personally by the leader of the “Who am I to judge?” But it was unclear welcome. Archdiocese of Newark, Cardinal Joseph how his words would affect Catholics Some church conserv- W. Tobin. They were seated on folding seeking acceptance in the pews. atives were wary, how- chairs at the cathedral’s center, in front After all, the church teaches in its ever. The problem, they of the altar in the towering sanctuary, catechism that homosexual acts are said, was not the idea of under the blue-tinted glow of stained “intrinsically disordered.” Men who welcoming — after all, glass. “present deep-seated homosexual Jesus welcomed all — “I am Joseph, your brother,” tendencies or support the so-called gay but that the public em- Cardinal Tobin told the group, which culture” are not to become priests, brace of such a group included lesbian, gay, bisexual and according to Vatican instruc- could be interpreted as transgender Catholics from around New tions renewed in 2016. Catholic the church’s acceptance York and the five dioceses in New in America have strongly opposed same- of a homosexual lifestyle, Jersey. “I am your brother, as a disciple sex marriage. More than 100 employees which church teaching of Jesus. I am your brother, as a sinner of Catholic institutions across the nation bans. who finds mercy with the Lord.” have lost their posts in the past three “Everyone is welcome The welcoming of a group of openly years for being gay or for marrying a in the church, but no one gay people to Mass by a leader of same-sex spouse, according to Marianne is accepted as they are,” Cardinal Tobin’s standing in the Roman Duddy-Burke, executive director said the Rev. Robert Catholic Church in this country would of DignityUSA, an organization of Gahl, a professor of have been unthinkable even five years Catholics that advocates equality for ethics at Opus Dei’s ago. But Cardinal Tobin, whom Pope lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Pontifical University of Francis appointed to Newark last year, is people. the Holy Cross in Rome. among a small but growing group of But gestures like Cardinal Tobin’s “While I am delighted bishops changing how the American are evidence that Pope Francis’ words that they went to Mass in church relates to its gay members. They are having an impact. Bishops now have the cathedral, I hope that are seeking to be more inclusive and latitude to focus on the more inclusive Cardinal Tobin chal- signaling to subordinate priests that they parts of the church’s catechism on lenged them, as all good should do the same. homosexuals, such as the call to accept Cardinal Joseph Tobin greets a visitor to the shepherds should, to live them with “respect, compassion and cathedral. (Continued on page 8) Page 2 BONDINGS Vol. 36, No. 3 Nuns As Queer Figures B NDINGS By Nancy Corcoran, CSJ ing on how I and my religious sisters have also Bondings 2.0 challenged the binary. Let me share some examples Spring-Summer 2017 Vol. 36, No. 3 NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com which have existed in convents. May 20, 2017 In an age when a woman’s glory was her long hair, nuns cut theirs off before they pronounced vows. They Francis DeBernardo, Editor Before I became a Sister of St. Joseph, I visited New often were given names reserved for men. Richard York City to meet Sister Anne Brotherton who was Joseph, Francis Regis, John Kenneth, James Patrick, getting her doctorate at Fordham University. As we Christopher, Leo, Paul are names of some of my sisters Board of Directors toured Greenwich Village together, I asked Anne if she who are alive today. If sisters did not bind their breasts, Mary Byers felt funny walking around in a tradi- they often wore bib like material to Jeannine Gramick, SL, Chair tional habit. “Oh, no”, she responded, disguise their natural form. Like males, Ryan Sattler “I feel quite comfortable. We’re all most sisters did not wear makeup. queer here.” When in habit they went “stealth” at Board of Advisors Merriam-Webster defines the times, especially at the beach. Dr. Jerry Fath word “queer” as “differing in some When I was a child in the 1950-60’s, Cornelius Hubbuch, CFX odd way from what is usual or religious women did the jobs that men Anna Koop, SL normal.” And today, the term “queer” did. They were presidents of colleges, Claire Pluecker is being reclaimed as a source of pride principals of schools, administrators Cristina Traina to folks who disdain the rigid binary and financial officers of hospitals. classifications of being either female or Some sisters note that when they wore a Staff male. So why do I think of nuns as habit, they were no longer perceived as Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director queer? a woman. We were given instant Presently, I am on a sabbatical authority, instant deference. They were Matthew Myers, Associate Director exploring ministry with LGBTQIA perceived equal to priests–or at least of Robert Shine, Associate Director folks after working at a women’s coll- higher privilege than other women. ege that graduated a few men every Like the experience of many trans- Co-Founders year. The students exposed me to the gender and gender non-conforming Sr. Jeannine Gramick, SL rigid binary construction of female and humans, many of our parents were not Rev. Robert Nugent, SDS male. The way they used their cloth- pleased with the choice of our entering ing and hair styles in ways that did not the convent. Our parents’ dreams of Bondings is a seasonal publication designed fit the gender binary politicized my traditional weddings and grandchildren to keep our subscribers informed of issues consciousness. faded with our choice. So I find I have that pertain to LGBT people When I no longer had the energy a lot more in common with folks who and the Catholic Church. to keep up with the 18-22-year-olds as claim the term “queer” than I had their Catholic Chaplain, I retired, and I thought possible. Founded in 1977, New Ways Ministry am now on sabbatical. During this I have hope that by normalizing our is an educational and bridge-building time, I have learned that rather than “unconventional” and “unorthodox” ministry of reconciliation between the Cath- “peculiar, bizarre or weird”, the term choices, we might also claim our love “queer” has come to mean “unconven- and support of humans who likewise olic LGBT community tional, unorthodox folks who make visible that maleness challenge the social construction of our society. Rigid and the institutional structures and femaleness are social constructions rather than constructions of our social norms do need to be chal- in the Roman Catholic Church. divinely assigned categories.” lenged. Perhaps by looking at the choices made by nuns, Believing that one cannot minister with humans that we might expand our acceptance of other queer folk, and New Ways Ministry seeks to eradicate we believe to be “other” than ourselves, I began reflect- explore together how to be fully human.  prevalent myths and stereotypes about homosexuality and gender identity and supports civil rights for LGBT persons in society. US priests' group calls Vatican vocations

document 'insulting' New Ways Ministry 4012 29th Street By Dan Morris-Young was criticized for lack of nuance in an essay Mount Rainier, Maryland 20712 The National Catholic Reporter [www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/did-vatican-ban-gay- (301) 277-5674 April 20, 2017 priests-or-not] by Francis DeBernardo, executive [email protected] director of the LGBT Catholic organization New Ways NewWaysMinistry.org Declarations in the Vatican Congregation for the Ministry. NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com Clergy's recent document "The Gift of the Priestly Several commentators have noted the new Vocation" have been called "disrespectful," "ambiguous" instruction's section on homosexuality and the priesthood and "insulting" by the Association of U.S. Catholic echoes content and language from the 2005 Priests. document from the Congregation for Catholic Education In a statement released April 19, the 1,200-member titled "Instruction Concerning the Criteria for the TO SUBSCRIBE Ohio-based organization charged that "the terms Discernment of Vocations with regard to Persons with 'homosexual tendencies' and 'deep-seated homosexual Homosexual Tendencies in view of their Admission to COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORM tendencies' are ambiguous and disrespectful of the the Seminary and to ." BELOW personhood of those who identify with a homosexual Among additional topics, the new document also orientation." The terms appear in the Dec. 8, 2016, deals with the value of indigenous and immigrant voca- document's section titled "Persons with Homosexual tions and guarding future priests against clericalism.  Enclosed is: Tendencies." "We find it also unfounded and insulting," the group _____ $25.00 in the US or Canada said, adding that the clergy congregation document "implies that ordained priests with a homosexual Following Jesus _____ $35.00 outside US or Canada orientation who serve the Church with distinction 'find in Holy Honesty themselves in a situation that gravely hinders them from _____ I wish to receive Bondings, relating correctly to men and women.' " but cannot donate at this time. The Association of U.S. Catholic Priests said its A Retreat for statement was being sent to all U.S. bishops, the National Gay Priests, Brothers, Deacons, Name ______Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors, the U.S. bishops' Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and and Address ______Vocations, the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus, All Diocesan Clergy Personnel, and the National Association of Hispanic Priests of the City ______USA. Congregational Leaders, "If the Congregation for the Clergy document had and Formation Personnel ______stated that heterosexual and homosexual persons who are State living chaste lives can be admitted to ordination to the Retreat Leader DayPhone ______priesthood it would have been more respectful and inclusive. The issue for discernment is whether the Fr. Steve Wolf Night Phone ______applicant or candidate has integrated his sexual identity with Catholic Christian faith and spirituality," said the Monday-Wednesday, Cell Phone ______statement, which was authored by the association's 12- member leadership team. November 13-15, 2017

Email ______Although approved by Pope Francis, the document flies in the face of his World Day of Peace 2017 message Siena Retreat Center and is inconsistent with teaching in the 1997 U.S. 5637 Erie Street Please make check payable to “New Ways bishops' Committee on Marriage and Family statement Racine, Wisconsin 53402 Ministry”. Outside the US, please use only "Always Our Children," argued the priests' group. (near Milwaukee airport) checks drawn on a US bank in US dollars or In its 90-page December 2016 document, the go to www.newwaysministry.org. Congregation for Clergy stated, "The Church, while Sponsored by

Mail to: profoundly respecting the persons in question, cannot New Ways Ministry New Ways Ministry admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who For information and registration 4012 29th Street practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual Phone: 301-277-5674 Mount Rainier, MD 20712 tendencies or support the so-called 'gay culture.' " Email: [email protected] On its release, "The Gift of the Priestly Vocation" Spring-Summer 2017 BONDINGS Page 3 Bp. Paprocki: No communion, church funerals for same-sex couples

By Steven Spearie this is going to do is (potentially) drive hurtful in the extreme. It systematically concerns).” The State Journal-Register me away, if this is enforced. and disdainfully disparages us and our “We wanted to share our side of the Springfield, Illinois “If we’re pushed out, where do we relationships. It denies us the full partici- story,” added Meehan, who was also June 23, 2017 go?” pation in the life of our Church to which present. “For (Paprocki), it’s about the A parishioner at St. Joseph Church we are entitled by our baptism and our letter of the law, not the spirit of the A new decree issued this month by in Springfield, Freml said he’s “never creation in God’s image.” law.” the leader of the Springfield Roman been denied communion” there by a The decree states that no Catholic Meehan said she left her long-time Catholic diocese denying gays and priest or an extraordinary minister. “facility or property” can be used for a parish, All Saints Church in White Hall, in same-sex marriages from “I don’t see lay ministers denying same-sex ceremony. It refers to the rela- after she felt the pastor was “dispar- receiving communion or a church burial communion to anyone. Priests, I don’t tionship created by a same-gender mar- aging” LGBT persons. When he didn’t is drawing local and national outcry. know,” said Freml. “There’s obedience riage as an “objectively immoral nature.” let up, Meehan said she left the parish for The decree issued by Bishop to the bishop, but there’s a call from the A child living with a Catholic parent another one in Jacksonville. Thomas John Paprocki also limits the church and community to be inclusive. or parents in a same-sex marriage may be “I like to think I’m doing (this participation of those in same-sex “It puts priests and other church baptized, though it is up to the pastor activism) for my son, but I like to think workers in a difficult about “the appropriateness of a public I’m also doing it for others who have gay position.” celebration.” children,” said Meehan. “I don’t know Cindy Carlson Rice, No employee or representative of the how the bishop can do this when Pope also a Springfield diocese can assist at or participate in “the Francis is doing the opposite.” Catholic, said she was solemnization or blessing of same-sex Rice said her daughter and her wife implicitly told she marriages.” Those who violate any of the are guardedly optimistic about their couldn’t approach for norms of the decree “can be punished future at St. Joseph’s. communion because of with a just penalty.” “One of the coolest things about her support for her ‘They are the church’ these girls is that they are the church,” daughter’s same-sex Freml said a group of about eight said Rice. “They’re highly active in the marriage. LGBT Catholics met with Paprocki last parish and are encouraged by the parish.” Rice, who attends a October “to put faces (with our  local Episcopal church but still considers her- self Catholic, said the Dear Bishop Paprocki: An Open Letter decree was “a smack across the face” to those By Francis DeBernardo LGBT Catholics who Bondings 2.0 have stayed involved in NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com the church. June 23, 2017 Karen Meehan of Roodhouse has labeled To let Bishop Thomas Paprocki know your opinion The following is an open letter from New Ways Ministry’s Executive Director herself an activist ever Francis DeBernardo to Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, in about his decree, use the contact information provided since she protested response to his decree barring lesbian and gay couples in civil marriages from in the above graphic. Paprocki’s minor communion, pastoral leadership, being granted funerals, and other aspects of exorcism held at the marriages from roles in “public liturgical parish life (see news story above). Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception ministry,” such as serving as an extra- after same-sex marriage was made ordinary minister for holy communion or Dear Bishop Paprocki, federal law in 2015. serving as a lector, and warns that work- Meehan read the decree along with ers in pastoral ministry who defy the de- Your “Decree Regarding Same-Sex ‘Marriage’ and Related Pastoral Issues” her son, Jacob, who is gay. has been received by Catholics across the nation with one of the strongest negative cree will be punished. ″(Jacob) knows how much, as a Detractors say the decree is dracon- reactions that I have witnessed in almost 25 years of ministry with the LGBT mom, the decree hurts me,” said Meehan, community in the Church. ian and disengages Catholics in same-sex through tears. “That’s my child.” marriages from the “ultimate practice” of While there have been many harsh and negative statements from church ‘Immoral’ relationships leaders over the past quarter century, I think the reason that people responded so church life: the sacraments. The decree also received criticism The decree, issued by Paprocki June emotionally to your edict is that it addresses two very core Catholic nationally. areas: sacramental experience and life/death issues. 12, will now be placed in “appropriate Francis DeBernardo, executive places” in the diocese’s policy books. Of all the responses that I have heard and read in just the last day–and they director of the Maryland-based New have been numerous–the directives you issued which have wounded people most A spokeswoman for the Springfield Ways Ministry, which is pro-gay, said diocese, which covers 28 counties across deeply are your prohibition of communion reception by married lesbian and gay that while other bishops, like Archbishop people, and your denial of funeral services to the same group. Catholics just do the state, wouldn’t make Paprocki avail- Charles Chaput of Philadelphia and able to The State Journal-Register for an not understand how such regulations correlate with a Church that preaches love former Archbishop John Myers of New- and inclusion. interview. ark, New Jersey, have issued similar In a statement, the diocese said the Most Catholics are well aware that you do not support civil marriage for decrees, none has gone as far as Pap- lesbian and gay people and respect the legal right of Churches not to marry such decree was “in light of changes in the rocki’s, especially in denying church law and in our culture” regarding same- couples. But Catholics do not understand how this one area of disagreement can funerals and punishing pastoral minsters. lead to such draconian measures of exclusion–especially at times of death, loss, sex marriage, which the Catholic Church “Paprocki is an anomaly and is not opposes. and grief. in the mainstream of Catholic thought Despite whatever good intentions may have motivated you to issue these The church, the statement said, “has (with this decree),” DeBernado said not only the authority, but the serious regulations, you need to know they will, in fact, do no pastoral good, and they will Friday. wreak much pastoral harm. You have not singled out any other group for such obligation, to affirm its authentic teach- ″(Paprocki) has chosen to be exclu- ing on marriage and to preserve and negative pastoral treatment. It seems as if you consider civil same-sex marriage to sive and rejecting (of LGBT Catholics),” be the ultimate sin, beyond the pale of any of the countless ways that human foster the sacred value of the married said Brian Johnson, chief executive state.” beings do not follow church teaching. officer of Equality Illinois in Chicago. Regardless of whatever doctrines you think you are enforcing, the effect of People who lived openly in same- “This is someone the church has placed sex marriages can receive ecclesiastical such enforcement will be that more and more Catholics–gay, lesbian, heterosexual, in a position to care for his flock. bisexual, transgender, and all in-between–will leave the Church because of the funeral rites “if they have given some “We find it heartbreaking what he’s signs of repentance before death,” the negative images of LGBT people and the Catholic Church that you have done.” communicated. And many will never return. statement added. “Bishop Paprocki’s decree makes it ‘Where do we go?’ What’s more, the negative messages that you sent will be heard by many very clear why so many (LGBT) people young people (and some who are not so young) who are struggling with their John Freml, a Springfield Catholic and their families feel unwelcome in the who is in a same-sex marriage, said he sexual and gender identities. They will interpret this message as one more piece of Catholic Church and why so many leave evidence that the Church and God do not love them. That message will move left the institutional church once, only to it,” said Christopher Pett of Chicago, the come back. them many steps closer to psychological harm, self-destructive behaviors and incoming president of DignityUSA, a tragically, for some, suicide. “Then I see something like this,” Catholic group in support of the LGBT said Freml, who works with pro-gay Many gay and lesbian couples are leading lives of heroic devotion to each community. other, their children, and their communities. Many, too, are leading lives of national church organizations like “This document is mean-spirited and Equally Blessed and Call To Action. “All struggles and stumbles, where they are seeking support from churches. Those couples who are Catholic seek nourishment for their spiritual and human journeys. They seek a community where they can share and develop their faith through education, relationship, service, and ritual. They seek Eucharist. Catholics, who are often very aware of how their lives in many ways do not conform to ideals that the church has presented them, are ready and eager to New Ways Ministry’s blog welcome these lesbian and gay couples into their communities and their hearts. No Catholic, not even the pope who famously offered the primary Bondings 2.0 definition of himself as a “sinner,” is perfect. All fall short. All depend on grace. The many who seek grace through membership and participation in the Catholic Church should not be denied God’s free gift. The best way to keep up on the latest I hope and pray that you will reflect not only on the harm that this decree will cause but also the good that can occur if you withdraw it. Please welcome lesbian Catholic LGBT news and opinions! and gay families back into the Springfield Diocese’s Catholic parishes.

Sincerely, Updated daily Share your ideas with others! Francis DeBernardo Executive Director New Ways Ministry NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com Page 4 BONDINGS Vol. 36, No. 3 British bishops tackle anti-LGBT bullying in Catholic schools By Francis DeBernardo typing and bullying for all children and ing Made in God's Image. Consequently, inate against others.” The National Catholic Reporter young people educated in our Catholic this document is not a top-down com- This document can have an impact August 17, 2017 schools." mand, but an instruction based on the in the church in areas beyond school While acknowledging the experience of real educators. bullying. First of all, they show how to Lesbian, gay, bisexual and magisterium's disapproval of genital Explaining the need for the new faithfully and respectfully navigate the transgender students in British Catholic same-sex relationships, the document guidelines, the British document religious liberty conundrum. Catholic schools will likely feel safer this coming takes a decisive step to valorize the examines the structural issues that need teaching and civil equality laws can academic year, thanks to a new set of church's social justice teaching as the to be addressed to teach greater respect coexist and don't have to compete. guidelines for educators aimed at lens through which bullying should be for LGBT youth. It is not simply a matter Secondly, the British bishops have reducing bullying directed toward sexual viewed. Moreover, the bishops include of correcting the behavior of offending shown how to turn church teaching, minorities. The publication of these school personnel, as well as students, in youth who bully. which condemns discrimination and guidelines is a milestone in Catholic the target group to be protected: For example, teachers and adminis- violence against LGBT people, into outreach to the LGBT community “If we are serious about inclusive trators — particularly in Catholic schools concrete policies. Most importantly, the because they are the first initiative to education in our Catholic schools then — are often ill-equipped with how to U.K. bishops have shown that sexual counter bullying that has been produced we must be concerned with the quest for deal with bullying. Many are unsure if ethics does not have to eclipse social by a Catholic bishops' conference. equity for all who work within our they have support from administrators justice. Too often in discussions of Toward the end of the last school communities. The social teaching of the and parents to address such topics. Few LGBT issues, bishops see any move year, the Catholic Education Service of Church and our participation within this school libraries stock information about toward enacting social justice as a threat the Catholic Bishops' Conference of teaching should be at the heart of what LGBT development and identity. These to sexual ethics. That is not the case in England and Wales, in partnership guides our work as a community. The guidelines provide not only safety for this document. with St. Mary's University, Twickenham, well being of all — staff and pupils — LGBT youth but also support for the Will other bishops take up the lesson produced Made in God's Image: Chal- requires the removal of any barriers of educators who want to protect youth. that their British brothers are teaching? I lenging Homophobic and Biphobic prejudice, discrimination and oppression The guidelines do not shy away hope so. It's long overdue that U.S. Cath- Bullying in Catholic Schools. The 36- if all are to strive and to realise our from the topic of same-sex relationships olic national leaders address the problem page booklet offers a solid Catholic potential as unique and fulfilled human and marriage. The document recom- of bullying by educating students in their rationale for countering such bullying beings.” mends discussing these topics in "a schools about Catholic wisdom on res- and, practically, it provides a series of The document's Catholic under- sensitive, reasonable, respectful and pect for LGBT people of all ages. While eight lesson plans for discussing respect pinnings and sensitive way in which it balanced way." It explains to educators the British document was written in the for lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals deals with an emotional issue will make that they should discuss religious teach- context of their nation's anti-discrim- with middle school children. (Trans- it very effective. But another major ings on marriage "in an appropriate way ination law, the content of the lesson gender people are not mentioned in the contribution of this effort is that the in an educational context," and it plans can easily be trans-planted into general sections of the document, but bishops acknowledge that part of their explicitly warns against being over- American Catholic school classrooms. bullying against them is mentioned motivation for producing the guidelines bearing about the topic: Anti-bullying programs not only briefly in the lesson plans.) was to conform with their national “If a school conveyed its belief in a help potential victims, but they also help Made in God's Image begins by government's requirement for greater way that involved haranguing, harassing prevent potential perpetrators. Anti- laying down its Catholic foundations, equality for LGBT people. or berating a particular pupil or group bullying is not just about LGBT youth, stating the guidelines are "part of the The British bishops' conference of pupils then this would be unacceptable but about healing and curing the fears, commitment of the Catholic to the committee consulted with more than 50 in any circumstances. ... A teacher's anxieties and falsehoods that dwell in the pastoral care of pupils and in particular Catholic schools to learn from their ability to express his or her views should minds of potential bullies. Healing the elimination of homophobic stereo- situations and resources while prepar- not extend to allowing them to discrim- occurs for all. 

Gay-friendly Catholic Parishes & Communities Below is a list of known gay-friendly Catholic parishes and intentional Eucharistic communities. Thank you for helping us add to this growing list! If you are aware of a parish or community that welcomes LGBT Catholics, please let us know. Tell us if this welcome is because of a support program, spirituality group, mis- sion statement, participation in LGBT community events, or involvement with parents. To add your faith com- munity to our list, please contact New Ways Ministry at [email protected] or call 301-277- 5674. Parishes are listed first and intentional Eucharistic communities follow. For links to many of these par- ishes’ websites, go to www.NewWaysMinistry.org

Sienna-St. Lucy, St. Giles Oceanside: St. Thomas More Lafayette: Immaculate Conception Schaumburg: St. Marcelline Orange: Holy Family Cathedral Littleton: Light of the World,

Pasadena: Assumption of the B.V.M. St Frances Cabrini Indiana PARISHES Redondo: St. Lawrence Martyr Connecticut Dyer: St. Maria Goretti Redwood City: St. Matthias Guilford: St. George’s Indianapolis: St. Thomas Aquinas Alabama Ross: St. Anselm Hartford: St. Patrick-St. Anthony

Decatur: Annunciation of the Lord Sacramento: St. Francis of Assisi Montgomery: St. Bede Delaware Iowa San Carlos: St. Charles Coralville: St. Thomas More San Diego: Ascension, St. John the North Wilmington: Holy Child Arizona Wilmington: St. Joseph Evangelist, St. Jude Shrine, Cath- Kentucky Chandler: St. Andrew olic Community of UC,San Diego Glendale: St. Thomas More District of Columbia Lexington: Historic St. Paul Church San Dimas: Holy Name of Mary Louisville: Epiphany, Cathedral of the Mesa: St. Bridget San Francisco: Most Holy Redeemer, Holy Trinity, St. Matthew Cathedral Phoenix: St. Matthew Assumption, St. William Old St. Mary Cathedral, St. Agnes, Louisiana Scottsdale: St. Patrick St. Dominic, St. Ignatius, St. Teresa Florida Tucson: St. Cyril of Alexandria, Daytona Beach: Our Lady of Lourdes New Orleans: St. Augustine of Avila Ss. Peter and Paul, St. Pius X, San Jose: St. Julie Billiart, Flagler Beach: Santa Maria del Mar Our Mother of Sorrows, St. Odilia Ft. Lauderdale: St. Anthony, Maine St. Martin of Tours (Emmaus Portland: Sacred Heart-St. Dominic Community) St. Maurice California Kissimmee: Holy Redeemer Saco: Most Holy Trinity San Luis Obispo: Mission San Luis Berkeley: Holy Spirit Parish San Raphael: Church of San Raphael St. Petersburg: Holy Cross Burney: St Francis of Assisi Tampa: Sacred Heart, Christ the King Maryland & Baltimore: Corpus Christi, Carlsbad: St. Patrick Mission San Raphael Arcangel Camarillo: Padre Serra Parish Georgia St. Francis of Assisi, St. Ignatius, Santa Barbara: OL of Guadalupe St. Matthew, Claremont: Our Lady of Assumption Santa Cruz: Holy Cross Atlanta: Shrine of the Immaculate El Cajon: St. Luke Conception St. Vincent dePaul Santa Monica: St. Monica Columbia: St. John the Evangelist Encino: Our Lady of Grace Simi Valley: St. Rose of Lima Escondido: St. Timothy Idaho Gaithersburg: St. Rose of Lima Spring Valley: Santa Sophia Hagerstown: St. Ann Fremont: St. Joseph-Mission San Jose Stanford: Catholic Community at Boise: St. Mary Fresno: St.. Paul Catholic Newman Severn: St. Bernadette Stanford University Center South Pasadena: Holy Family Illinois Goleta: St. Mark Univ. Parish Berwyn: St. Mary of the Celle Massachusetts Valinda: St. Martha Boston: Paulist Center, St. Anthony Hawthorne: St. Joseph (Spanish) Vernon: Holy Angels Catholic Church Chicago: Immaculate Conception, Hayward: All Saints St. Clement, St. Gertrude, Shrine, St. Cecilia of the Deaf Buzzard’s Bay: St. Margaret’s/StMary’s LaPuente: St. Martha Walnut Creek: St. John Vianney St. Gregory, St. Peter, St. Sylvester, Lemon Grove: St. John of the Cross St. Teresa of Avila, St. Thomas the East Longmeadow: St. Michael West Hollywood: St. Ambrose, Newton: St. Ignatius Long Beach: St. Matthew St. Victor Apostle, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Los Angeles: Blessed Sacrament, Lady of Mt. Carmel, Provincetown: St. Peter Whittier: St. Mary of the Assumption Sharon: Our Lady of Sorrows Christ the King, Mother of Good Old St. Patrick Counsel, St. Camillus Center-LA Clarendon Hills: Notre Dame Springfield: Sacred Heart Colorado USC Medical Center (Spanish), Arvada: Spirit of Christ Country Club Hills: St. Emeric St. Agatha, St. Paul the Apostle Evanston: St. Nicholas Michigan Avon: St. Edward Ann Arbor: St. Mary Student Parish North Hollywood: St. Jane Frances Colorado Springs: Sacred Heart Inverness: Holy Family de Chantal, St. Patrick Johnston City: St. Paul Detroit: St. Leo, Christ the King, Gesu Denver: St. Dominic, Christ the King, Parish Oakland: Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Morton Grove: St. Martha Columba, St. Jarleth Oak Park: Ascension, St. Catherine of (Continued on page 5) Spring-Summer 2017 BONDINGS Page 5 Stand together against and By Sister Jeannine Gramick, SL Although they had known each other for this week. On May 17 each year, an has led massive street parades on May 17 The National Catholic Reporter years, the neighbor had never spoken increasing number of countries are for the past three years. The day can also May 15, 2017 about her gay son until the printer observing the International Day Against include arts and culture-based events, incident.Jabłońska said that her blindness Homophobia and Transphobia. This day such as a music festival called "Love Perhaps the tide is turning for toward gay and lesbian people gradually is meant to raise awareness about the Music – Hate Homophobia" in Bang- lesbian gay, bisexual and transgender dissolved. She discovered that some of repression that LGBT people experience ladesh. Albanian activists arrange an (LGBT) people. Late last year, I made a her friends were gay. They told her they in villages, cities and homes throughout annual bike ride through the streets of the 10-day visit to Poland, invited by the felt unloved, like the "lesser children" of the world. capital on May 17. Campaign against Homophobia to give God, like some kind of "failed creation." The date was selected to commem- Often the day is commemorated by public addresses, interviews and a retreat She learned "they felt very lonely in the orate the World Health Organization's religious services. This year numerous for Faith and Rainbow, a group of LGBT church" as she walked with them and decision on May 17, 1990 to remove prayer vigils, sponsored by gay Christian Catholics. accompanied them. homosexuality from the International groups and by Catholic, Waldensian and I also had the opportunity to meet A reconciliation effort, initiated by Classification of Diseases. . . . Baptist churches, will once again be held with Catholic opinion leaders like Cath- the Campaign against Homophobia, However, in many parts of the world throughout Europe. As a result of these olic journalist Cezary Gawrys to get a called "Let's Exchange a Sign of Peace," today, the erroneous diagnosis of mental events, the relationships between the sense of the state of affairs for Polish featured billboards with two clasped disorder persists, causing much fear and LGBT Christians and the churches have LGBT Catholics. Gawrys has been ex- hands — one with a rainbow bracelet and confusion about lesbian and gay people, been strengthened. This year, the banner ploring the topic of LGBT people in the the other with a Catholic rosary. This with often tragic results. To stop the advertising the Italian prayer vigils church. social awareness campaign moved the senseless violence, a number of inter- proclaims, "Give blessing and not curses Serving for two years as a volunteer hearts and minds of many Polish people national LGBT groups organized a cam- to those who are cruel to you" (Romans counselor, he witnessed their efforts — (but not, unfortunately, the Polish paign that culminated in the first Inter- 12:14). spiritual, mental and also financial — to bishops, who denounced the campaign.) national Day Against Homophobia on This banner provides lots of food for change their orientation. "I saw gay peo- I was surprised by the degree of May 17, 2005. thought. In my decades of ministry with ple who were not very affluent, taking openness and acceptance I found among Four years later, when France LGBT people, I continue to be astounded loans to pay for their therapy," he re- the Polish people for their lesbian and became the first nation to remove trans- and inspired by the example of those sumed. "The feeling of not being accep- gay sisters and brothers. Polish Catholics gender issues from the category of men- who remain in a church that has so ted by the church separated them from are emerging not only from the political tal illnesses, transphobia was added to miserably failed to nourish their faith the community. They often isolated them stranglehold of communism, but also the name of the campaign. While most life. In a spirit of non-violence, these -selves from other people and carried on from the grip of their authoritarian and U.S. people today accept lesbian and gay LGBT Christian groups are now calling with their lonely struggle." traditionalist religious culture. From individuals, there is still much ignorance us to stand with them. We may not Katarzyna Jabłońska, co-author with them I learned that I, too, need to emerge about the feelings and experiences of understand different sexual orientations Gawrys of Challenging Love: Christians from the iron grip of my own prejudices, transgender persons, as the political bat- or gender identities, but we do believe and Homosexuality, recounted an exper- my blind spots, and the beams in my own tles about bathrooms makes abundantly that each person should be treated with ience she had while working at home on eye. I want to be more open to those who clear. dignity and respect because each of us the book. Her printer broke, and she "rub me the wrong way" and to be more The International Day Against has been made in the image and likeness asked her next-door neighbor, a good welcoming to those with whom I dis- Homophobia and Transphobia is par- of God. What can we do to lessen the friend she had known for many years, to agree. My visit to the Polish people filled ticularly strong in Europe and Latin Am- homophobia and transphobia that engulfs print it for her. Her friend returned, print- me with hope that homophobia is grad- erica, where it is commemorated with those who are different?  out in hand, crying profusely, and told ually decreasing in unexpected places. public events such as marches, parades Jabłońska that one of her sons was gay. Another hopeful sign will be evident and festivals. In Cuba, Mariela Castro

(Continued from page 4) Deer Park: Ss. Cyril and Methodius Rhode Island East Islip: St. Mary Providence: St. Raymond St. Ignace: St. Ignatius Loyola Elmira: St. Mary Wickford: St. Bernard Westland: Ss. Simon and Jude Fairport: Church of the Assumption Tennessee

Henrietta: Good Shepherd Memphis: Cathedral of the Minnesota Manhattan: Holy Name of Jesus, Immaculate Conception Minneapolis: St. Frances Cabrini, St. Francis Xavier, St. Ignatius St. Joan of Arc Loyola, St. Paul the Texas

Apostle, Church of the Ascension, Colleyville: Good Shepherd Missouri St. Francis of Assisi, St. Francis de Dallas: Holy Trinity Kansas City: Guardian Angels, Holy Sales El Paso: All Saints Family Pittsford: Church of Transfiguration Houston: St. Anne, St. Teresa St. James Rochester: Blessed Sacrament, St. Joseph: St. Francis Xavier St. Mary (Downtown), St. Monica Virginia St. Louis: St. Cronan, St. Margaret of Pleasanton Saratoga Springs: St. Peter Arlington: Our Lady Queen of Peace Scotland, St. Pius V Syracuse: St. Lucy, All Saints San Diego: Mary Magdalene Catholic Montana Glen Allen: St. Michael the Archangel Community Utica: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mechanicsville: Church of the Re- Billings: Holy Rosary, St. Pius X Historic Old St. John’s deemer District of Columbia Wading River: St. John the Baptist Richmond: Cathedral of the Sacred Communitas Nebraska Wantaugh: St. Frances de Chantal Heart, Sacred Heart Parish Omaha: Holy Family, Sacred Heart West Islip: Our Lady of Lourdes Roanoke: St. Gerard Florida Westbury: St. Brigid Triangle: St. Francis Tampa: Franciscan Center Nevada North Carolina Virginia Beach: St. Nicholas Las Vegas: Christ the King, Charlotte: St. Peter Maryland Guardian Angel Cathedral Durham: Immaculate Conception Washington Catonsville: Living Water Inclusive Fayetteville: St. Patrick Seattle: Christ Our Hope, St. Bene- Catholic Community New Hampshire Raleigh: St. Francis of Assisi dict, St. James Cathedral, St. Jo- Greenbelt: Greenbelt Catholic Comm. Merrimack: St. John Neumann seph, Prince of Peace Pelham: St. Patrick Ohio Newman Center Michigan Akron: St. Bernard Tacoma: St. Leo Grand Rapids: Marywood New Jersey Cincinnati: St. George-St. Monica, Kalamazoo: Lambda Catholics Keyport: St. Joseph St. Robert Bellarmine Wisconsin Lawrenceville: St. Ann Cleveland: Blessed Trinity, Fond du Lac: Holy Family Minnesota Long Beach Island: St. Francis of St. Malachi, St. Martha Assisi Madison: Our Lady Queen of Peace Minneapolis: Spirit of St. Stephen's Columbus: St. Thomas More Menomonee Falls: Good Shepherd Catholic Community Maplewood: St. Joseph Newman Center Monmouth: Church of the Precious Milwaukee: Good Shepherd, Fairlawn: St. Hilary Prince of Peace, Trinity-Guadalupe Oregon Blood Mentor: St. John Vianney Pompton Lakes: St. Mary Portland: Journey and Koinonia University Heights: Church of Gesu Canada Catholic Community South Plainfield: Sacred Heart Westlake: St. Ladislas Tinton Falls: St. Anselm Montreal: Holy Cross Wooster: St. Mary of the Immaculate Ottawa: St. Joseph Pennsylvania Conception New Mexico Toronto: Our Lady of Lourdes Pittsburgh: Dignity//Pittsburgh

Albuquerque: Holy Family, Oregon Shrine of St. Bernadette England Virginia Beaverton: Mission of the Atonement London: Church of the Immaculate Arlington: NOVA Catholic Community Espanola: Sacred Heart of Jesus Portland: St. Andrew, St. Francis of Conception (Mayfair) Assisi, St. Phillip Neri, Down- Washington New York town Chapel (St. Vincent de Albany: St. Vincent DePaul INTENTIONAL EUCHARISTIC Olympia: Holy Wisdom Inclusive Paul) COMMUNITIES Baldwinsville: St. Augustine Catholic Community Arizona Bellmore: St. Barnabas the Apostle Pennsylvania Scottsdale: Franciscan Renewal Bellport: Mary Immaculate Wisconsin Danville: St. Joseph Center Binghamton: St. Francis of Assisi Madison: Holy Wisdom Monastery Philadelphia: Old St. Joseph, Milwaukee: Mary of Magdala, Apostle Brooklyn: St. Andrew the Apostle, Old St. Mary, St. John the California St. Boniface, St. Athanasius, to the Apostles Evangelist, St. Vincent DePaul Orange: Koinonia St. Augustine, Immac.Heart of Mary Wilkinsburg: St. James Pleasanton: Catholic Community of Page 6 BONDINGS Vol. 36, No. 3 New Ways Ministry sees 'hope and frustration' for LGBT Catholics By Patricia Lefevere by priests at the workshop whether he marriage to the Rev. Donna Simon, a hierarchy can take away from you "in an The National Catholic Reporter would seek reinstatement, Hall said, Lutheran minister, even though neither instance" your ministry and all the years May 5, 2017 "No." woman had talked of her marriage to the of dedication you brought to your work. "I have lived in the Newark arch- paper when it was reporting on neighbor- You have no recourse within or without Chicago — New Ways Ministry, diocese all my life," he said. During the hood improvements. the church. … This is the reality that the 40-year-old advocacy group for time of his dismissal and later suspen- Simon told a workshop at the LGBT church workers live in — a LGBT Catholics, brought its eighth sion, he said he had only heard from symposium that St. Francis' Jesuit pastor fearful reality that finds no support in the national symposium here April 28-30 three priests. "No others called to ask was fully aware that she was a lesbian volumes the church has written on work- with what one presenter called feelings how I was doing, if I needed anything," living in an avowed marriage with her er rights, the dignity of work, the dignity of both "hope and frustration." Hall said. lesbian wife. She said both the pastor and of the human person, the Gospel." The conference highlighted the His statement echoed those heard the priest who succeeded him assured her As a fired church worker, Winters sense of optimism that under the often during the three-day gathering. "If that her marriage would not affect her can no longer find work in the Catholic leadership of Pope Francis there was we think the bishops are dysfunctional, job security. Simon said her wife did not arena, she said, not as an educator, reason to hope for a lessening of what about us?" one priest asked. come to the parish; she kept no photos of campus minister, church musician or discrimination towards gays and an "Haven't we been living in silence, fear them as a couple in her office and never director of religious education. "No one advancement of their civil rights within and secrecy for years?" Another noted did anything to publicize their marriage. will touch me," she said after detailing the church. how being homosexual had meant When dismissed, she chose to sue more than 25 years of having worked in "Pope Francis has unlocked a new "internalizing shame" for much of his the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, and for the church. Yet her talents in the era of openness and dialogue on lesbian, lifetime. area of spirituality, retreat work and gay, bisexual and transgender topics," For that reason community outreach "are hard to bring New Ways Ministry's executive director, and others, a number somewhere else," she said, adding that Frank DeBernardo told some 300 of participants arrived she was still trying "to find a place … attendees. Still injustices abound. early to take part in a where I can do that which I cannot not At least two of the symposium's day-long retreat and do." seven workshops dealt with challenges meditation session Steps forward of LGBT church workers. New Ways given by Social Despite disclosures of continual Ministry's theme "Justice and Mercy Service Sr. Simone dismissals of LGBT church workers, the Shall Kiss, LGBT Catholics in the Age Campbell. "We all 300 participants here seemed largely of Pope Francis" made frequent mention desperately need a upbeat, recognizing that a majority of of the drive for equality for LGBT nest where we can Catholics in the pew, and even some in persons. land and rest and tell rectories and chanceries, support their The Maryland-based group main- our stories," she said drive for equality and fairness in the tains a catalogue of employment-issue before sharing some workplace. Few spoke of abandoning the cases. It lists 46 publicly identified of her poems with the church; many — like Massingale and incidents since 2010, in which LGBT group. others — saw it as their true and much persons or others supporting LGBT "If someone is loved, though difficult, home. issues have lost their jobs or been let go gay and searches for Vettori challenged workshop atten- from volunteer ministries in the United the Lord and has a dees to "stand up" and to "speak up." No States. Several other cases are publicly good will, who am I to longer "will we fire people because of known outside the United States. judge? We shouldn't who they are or who they love," she said. The U.S. breakdown includes: marginalize people for Participants learned of the violence that 24 LGBT people were fired from this. They must be had been done in homophobic countries paid jobs. integrated into like Uganda. 6 LGBT people were dismissed society." These now- The nurse said LGBT persons had to from volunteer ministries famous words uttered pass the baton that had been handed to 2 heterosexual people were fired by Francis on a 2013 flight back to Missouri. Simon reached a settlement for them — by "the men and women who from paid jobs because of their public Rome from Brazil were ones Fr. Bryan fraudulent inducement in February 2016 have run this race before us" — on to the support for LGBT issues Massingale said he never expected to but did not get her job back. next generation. "We owe it to the child- 2 LGBT people had contracts hear in his lifetime. Margie Winters knew well what ren today who are sitting in our schools rescinded (before actually being Massingale, a priest of the Simon had experienced. In July 2015, and our churches struggling to under- employed) Milwaukee archdiocese, shared a note she was terminated from her post as stand who they are and turning to the 5 LGBT people were forced to he had received in 2002 from Rembert director of religious education at Wal- church for answers." resign from jobs to avoid being fired Weakland, who earlier that year had dron Mercy Academy in Philadelphia, Would justice and mercy "kiss for 5 people (whose sexual orientation resigned as archbishop of Milwaukee after two parents at the private school LGBT Catholics"? Probably not soon but is unknown) lost jobs because they after a man he'd had an affair with two complained to the Philadelphia Arch- undoubtedly in the future, said speaker refused to sign contracts with enhanced decades earlier and he had paid diocese that Waldron Mercy should not after speaker at the symposium. morality clauses. $450,000 to keep it quiet made the hire someone in a same-sex marriage. By Catholics can clearly see changes in 2 lesbian women were fired because relationship public. Weakland wrote: then, Winters had held the post eight the military, the academic and corporate they became pregnant by artificial "On the gay issue, the level of fear is so years. worlds, even in the Boy Scouts, that means high that the official teaching of the Winters' eight-year marriage to her portend recognition and acceptance of At the Chicago gathering, 40 priests church skates so very close to the edge wife, Andrea Vettori, was known to gays and lesbians, Massingale said. and brothers — many of them out as gay of a new 'theology of contempt.' " school administrators when she applied Treatment of LGBT persons has men with decades of ministry in the Those who came to the Chicago for the religious education position in become the "litmus test of ethical credi- church — listened as Fr. Warren Hall symposium brought with them both 2007. Like Simon, she was told by her bility and moral authority," the theolo- told of being fired as a campus ministry "hope and frustration," Massingale said: employer that her marriage would not be gian said, adding: "The church has no chaplain at Seton Hall University in hope that more understanding and an impediment to her job. future in the West if it continues its South Orange, New Jersey, in May acceptance of gays and lesbians was on Winters said the greatest challenge present course."  2015. its way into the church and frustration for LGBT church workers is that the Newark Archbishop John Myers because that time has not yet arrived. dismissed Hall for having posted a photo The priest, who left Marquette last Bishop leads prayer at LGBT Catholic gathering of himself at a NOH8 (No Hate) cam- year to teach theology at Fordham paign rally in New York in the autumn University, pointed to a new tone in the of 2014. Hall, who taught classes on church toward gays, a tone he charac- (Continued from page 1) people know that the church believes sports and spirituality at Seton Hall, said terized as "cautious, tentative, tense, at treatment in the workplace and to each person is of value. But they also he attended the event to learn more times ambiguous and contradictory, and collective bargaining. "We must be know that LGBT persons are not always about the group's anti-bullying platform. yet nevertheless real." consistent, even though that can be very welcomed or treated fairly in the church, Myers saw it differently. He noted What underlies the church's "hesi- difficult sometimes." he said. that NOH8 had emerged from the strug- tant, resistant and even hostile stance" The challenge is to "articulate He tries to acquaint them with gle for same-sex marriage in California. toward justice for lesbians and gays, the Gospel principles consistently and church teaching on the dignity of each However, two months after Hall's dis- theologian said, is its fear that legislation implement them compassionately," he human being, citing passages in the 1965 missal from the university, Myers ass- protecting the rights of homosexual per- said, noting that Catholic social teaching Second Vatican Council document Gaud- igned Hall to assist at two parishes in sons would also "lead to social approval has always upheld the dignity of each ium et Spes (the Pastoral Consti-tution on Hoboken and Weehawken, New Jersey. of forbidden and immoral sexual behav- human person. "We preach that human the Church in the Modern World) and Hall said he shared his story of being a iors." flourishing is a primary goal," he said, other examples. He indicates how dis- gay man with parishioners at both The more operative concern, "much more important than the crimination leads to dehumanization, churches; he told of his 27-year com- Massingale added, is that such legis- protection of our institutions." frequently expressed in bullying, abuse, mitment to his vow of celibacy and said lation would bring on greater visibility Although he has been a bishop less sometimes violence and even death. he urged other gay Catholics to stay in of homosexual persons who would be than two years and thus attended few "We have to listen to our young the church and to work for greater acc- negative models for youth. national bishops' meetings, he said there people and pay attention to things like eptance. Contradictions in practice is fear shared by the leadership that this," the bishop insisted. In the summer of 2016, Myers The situation leaves the church in legislation and judicial rulings could In reflecting on Matthew 12:1-14, suspended Hall from all priestly duties, an often contradictory corridor or "open increase pressure on the institutional the bishop told the LGBT assembly that noting that his actions in support of a closet," Massingale said, one in which church to resolve workplace issues with in his reading of Christian morality, he New Jersey Catholic high school gays "are to be accepted sensitively and LGBT employees differently. finds the infinite value of the human counselor and coach, whose same-sex compassionately, as long as there is little However, there is the graver reality person to be "the touchstone and found- marriage had been outed on Facebook, or no public acknowledgment of their that the church has alienated "a whole ation for determining the morality of a constituted actions that are "confusing sexual identity,' lifestyle' or 'culture.' " generation," he said. given act or issue. Christian morality is the faithful." It was public visibility that cost Stowe said that on his many visits to more concerned with the well-being and Since Hall's suspension, Myers has Colleen Simon her job as a food pantry confirmation classes, teens in his diocese dignity of the person than with rules, retired. In January, the Newark Arch- coordinator at St. Francis Xavier parish ask: "Why can't gay and lesbian people norms or commandments. Jesus seems to diocese came under the leadership of in Kansas City, Missouri, in May 2014. be themselves? Bishop Stowe, why can't teach this on many occasions," Stowe Cardinal Joseph Tobin, who is seen as The Kansas City Star's 816 Magazine they love who they want?" said.  far more open on LGBT issues. Asked had inadvertently publicized Simon's He said he admires how well young Spring-Summer 2017 BONDINGS Page 7 Frank Mugisha tells New Ways Ministry of human rights fight

By Patricia Lefevere sexuality Act that would have instituted when he found- The National Catholic Reporter incarceration for consensual homosexual ed Icebreakers May 5, 2017 acts and criminalized the medical treat- Uganda, a support ment of gays with HIV/AIDS. After fail- group for gays who Chicago — Frank Mugisha still ing to pass the bill, Uganda's Parliament are out or in the thinks twice before going down certain made a second effort to criminalize homo process of coming streets, into malls or nightclubs in his -sexuality in December 2013. out to family and native Kampala, Uganda. Mugisha lives When it passed, carrying sentences friends. By 2013, as an openly gay man in a country whose of up to life in prison, Mugisha chal- he was the execu- Parliament tried in 2009 to introduce a lenged the law with the aid of lawyers tive director of bill seeking the death penalty for homo- from the Robert F. Kennedy Human Sexual Minorities sexual acts. The bill has cost some Ugan- Rights organization. He received an Uganda, an um- dans their life and has made many live in award from that organization in 2011 on brella group whose fear, not show up for work, and hide behalf of his human rights efforts for members fight from family and friends, Mugisha told LGBT persons. homophobia. the closing plenary of New Ways Mini- Despite the dangers, the young Nine months stry's national symposium here April 30. Ugandan had had some experience in after Mugisha In 2009, at age 30, Mugisha led a community organizing against homo- began to challenge massive march against the Anti-Homo- phobia, starting at university in 2004 the second anti- Frank Mugisha describes his work for LGBT human rights homosexuality law, in Uganda.

a judge rescinded it. During that same Audio Recordings from year, Mugisha's name was proposed for a get a message to him via his personal Nobel Peace Prize. assistant. Despite that victory, Mugisha told "I know that the Holy Father got that his audience to be aware that homo- message," he said, adding that the Cath- phobia and transphobia can happen any- olic Church "was very careful" during where. He pointed to examples in Tanza- the visit. He told his audience to read the nia, Rwanda and Nigeria, and said Ugan- end of the pope’s homily delivered at a dan gays worry that a new bias law is in Mass said at the shrine of the Ugandan are available for purchase at the works in their nation. martyrs. Mugisha, 37, came out to his brother "It was so beautiful," he told NCR. at age 14. Raised in a Catholic family, he "It asked for love for everyone." www.dcprovidersonline.com/nwm spoke of the enormous influence the Mugisha urged his listeners to church has in his country — 44 percent support other human rights fighters Digital Conference Providers, Inc. of Ugandans are Catholic — where one throughout the world and to use social 100 South Cass Avenue, Suite 200 of the government leaders is a former media wisely. He alerted Twitter before Westmont, Illinois 60559 priest and where an archbishop recently his arrest and jailing at a gay pride event published a book condemning homo- in Kampala last August. Phone: 630-963-8311 sexuality and argued that "transgendered He felt the response helped him get Fax: 630-963-8312 persons can be changed," said Mugisha. released from jail in a few hours rather Email: [email protected] When Pope Francis visited Ugan- than a few days.  da in November 2015, Mugisha tried to LGBT-friendly Catholic Colleges and Universities

Below is a list of known LGBT-friendly Catholic colleges and universities, that is, those Catholic institutions that have some type of gay/ LGBT student group, support group, ally group, etc. If you are aware of such a college that is known as welcoming to LGBT people, please let us know.

Alabama Iowa Montana Mobile: Spring Hill College Davenport: St. Ambrose University Helena: Carroll College Pennsylvania Dubuque: Loras College, Clarke University Cresson: Mount Aloysius College California Nebraska Dallas: Misericordia University Belmont: Notre Dame de Namur University Kentucky Omaha: Creighton University Erie: Mercyhurst College Goleta: St. Mark’s University Louisville: Spalding University, Greensburg: Seton Hill University Los Angeles: Loyola Marymount Universi- Bellarmine University New Hampshire Philadelphia: Chestnut Hill College, ty, Mount Saint Mary’s College Manchester: St. Anselm College LaSalle University, St. Joseph’s Moraga: St. Mary’s College Louisiana Nashua: Rivier College University Oakland: Holy Names University New Orleans: Loyola University Pittsburgh: Carlow University, Ranchos Palos Verde: Marymount College New Jersey Duquesne University San Diego: University of San Diego Maryland Caldwell: Caldwell College Radnor: Cabrini College San Francisco: University of San Baltimore: Notre Dame of Jersey City: St. Peter’s College Reading: Alvernia University Francisco Maryland University, South Orange: Seton Hall Scranton: Marywood University Santa Clara: Santa Clara University Loyola University of Maryland Villanova: Villanova University New York Colorado Massachusetts Albany: College of Saint Rose Rhode Island Denver: Regis University Boston: Emmanuel College, Brooklyn and Patchogue: Newport: Salve Regina University Chestnut Hill: Boston College St. Joseph’s College Providence: Providence College Connecticut Chicopee: Elms College Bronx: Fordham University, Fairfield: Fairfield University, Easton: Stonehill College Manhattan College Texas Sacred Heart University North Andover: Merrimack College Buffalo: Canisius College Austin: Saint Edward’s University New Haven: Albertus Magnus College Weston: Regis College Loudonville: Siena College San Antonio: University of the Incarnate West Hartford: Saint Joseph College Worcester: Assumption College, New Rochelle: College of New Rochelle, Word, Our Lady of the Lake College of the Holy Cross Iona College University District of Columbia Poughkeepsie: Marist College Georgetown University, Trinity University Michigan Rochester: St. John Fisher College Vermont Detroit: University of Detroit Mercy, St. Bonaventure: St. Bonaventure Colchester: Saint Michael’s College Florida Marygrove College University Miami Gardens: St. Thomas University Grand Rapids: Aquinas College Sparkill: St. Thomas Aquinas College Washington Miami Shores: Barry University Syracuse: LeMoyne College Lacey: St. Martin’s College Minnesota Queens: St. John’s University Seattle: Seattle University Hawaii Collegeville: St. John’s University Spokane: Gonzaga University Honolulu: Chaminade University Duluth: College of St. Scholastica Ohio Minneapolis: College of St. Catherine Cincinnati: Xavier University West Virginia Illinois St. Joseph: College of Saint Benedict Cleveland Heights: John Carroll University Wheeling: Wheeling Jesuit University Chicago: DePaul University, Loyola Uni- St. Paul: St. Thomas University Dayton: University of Dayton versity, St. Xavier University Winona: St. Mary’s University of Pepper Pike: Ursuline College Wisconsin Joliet: University of St. Francis Minnesota South Euclid: Notre Dame College De Pere: St. Norbert College River Forest: Dominican University in Illi- Sylvania: Lourdes College Madison: Edgewood College nois Missouri Milwaukee: Alverno College, Romeoville: Lewis University Kansas City: Avila University, Oregon Cardinal Stritch University, Rockhurst University Marylhurst: Marylhurst University Marquette University Indiana St. Louis: Fontbonne University, Portland: University of Portland Notre Dame: Holy Cross College, St. St. Louis University Canada Mary’s College, Univ. of Notre Dame Toronto: Regis College Page 8 BONDINGS Vol. 36, No. 3 New Catholic LGBT Book Is Praised by High Church Leaders By Francis DeBernardo article, Gibson noted that the praise from high Church officials as signaling greater all, their church.” Bondings 2.0 church officials for a book which had its sensitivity on LGBT issues: Cardinal Joseph Tobin: NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com origins in a New Ways Ministry pro- “I was delighted that Cardinal “In too many parts of our church April 8, 2017 gram, signaled a momentous shift: Farrell and Cardinal Tobin found the LGBT people have been made to feel “A co-founder of New Ways Min- book helpful. To me, it’s a reminder that unwelcome, excluded, and even shamed. A new Catholic book on LGBT istry is Sister Jeannine Gramick, whose many in the hierarchy today support a Father Martin’s brave, prophetic, and issues, whose main text is based on a talk views were considered so far outside the more compassionate approach to LGBT inspiring new book marks an essential given at a New Ways Ministry event, has bounds of Catholic teaching that she was Catholics.” step in inviting church leaders to min- been praised by the Vatican official in barred by the Vatican and her order from The following quotations are from ister with more compassion, and in re- charge of family life, a U.S. cardinal who minding LGBT Catholics that they are as is close to Pope Francis, and a bishop much a part of our church as any other who is leading the call for greater Catholic.” pastoral care for LGBT people. Their Bishop Robert McElroy: dust jacket blurbs join one by Sister “The Gospel demands that LGBT Jeannine Gramick, SL, New Ways Catholics must be genuinely loved and Ministry’s co-founder. treasured in the life of the church. They Building a Bridge: How the Cath- are not. [Fr. Martin] provides us with olic Church and the LGBT Community the language, perspective, and sense of Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, urgency to replace a culture of alien- Compassion, and Sensitivity, by Rev. ation with a culture of merciful inclu- James Martin, SJ, will be published June sion.” 13, 2017, and its dust jacket contains Sister Jeannine Gramick: high praise comments from Cardinal “Father Martin shows how the Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Vatican’s Rosary and the rainbow flag can peace- Dicastery of Laity, Family, and Life; fully meet each other. A must-read.” Cardinal Joseph Tobin, picked personally Gibson’s reporting summarized the by Pope Francis to lead the embattled main text of the book concisely: Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey; and “In his talk, as in the book, Martin Bishop Robert McElroy, head of the San called on church leaders and all Cath- Diego Diocese, who has made LGBT olics to treat gays and lesbians with inclusion one of his regular themes; and greater respect and sensitivity. . . .But he Sister Jeannine. also called on gays and lesbians to be The main portion of the book is an more considerate and respectful of the adaptation of the talk Fr. Martin gave hierarchy, saying both sides must listen when he received New Ways Ministry’s to each other and learn from each other.” Bridge Building Award at the end of Fr. James Martin, SJ, and the cover of his new book New Ways Ministry presented Fr. October 2016. In addition, the book, Martin with the Bridge Building Award which is to be published by HarperOne, last year because of his past achieve- will also contain prayer aids and other speaking about homosexuality.She trans- the comments on the book’s dust jacket: ments in promoting dialogue between the pastoral material. ferred to another order and has continued Cardinal Kevin Farrell: LGBT community and the Catholic David Gibson, a veteran Church to minister and speak and write on the “A welcome and much-needed book Church. Yet, the publication of this observer who writes for Religion News topic. . . . That she is endorsing the same that will help bishops, priests, pastoral book, and the praise for it from church Service, broke the news about this high book as senior church leaders is an indi- associates, and all church leaders more officials, shows his bridge building gifts praise from Church officials for a gay- cation of the sea change under Francis.” compassionately minister to the LGBT are continuing to grow.  friendly book. In the course of the Fr. Martin told Religion News Ser- community. It will also help LGBT Cath- vice that he sees the praise from these olics feel more at home in what is, after As Church Shifts, a Cardinal Welcomes Gays; They Embrace a ‘Miracle’

(Continued from page 1) and “L.G.B.T.,” instead of phrases like admired and respected lesbian, gay, Plainfield, N.J., and the Church of the according to the teachings of Jesus.” “afflicted with same-sex attraction.” He bisexual and transgender people who Precious Blood in Monmouth Beach, But Cardinal Tobin said in an inter- also argues that to expect a sinless life- remained steadfast to the church even N.J. It stemmed from a conversation view last week that to combine his wel- from gay Catholics, but not from though the church had not always been between David Harvie, of the South come with a criticism would not have any other group, is a form of “unjust dis- as welcoming. Plainfield parish group, and the Rev. been a full welcome at all. crimination” and that gay people should Both Cardinal Tobin and Cardinal Francis Gargani, a Brooklyn priest who, “That sounds a little backhanded to not be fired for marrying a same-sex Kevin Farrell, the prefect of the Vati- like Cardinal Tobin, belongs to the me,” he said. “It was appropriate to wel- spouse. can’s dicastery for laity, family and life, Redemptorist order, and took the idea to come people to come and pray and call “Pretty much everyone’s lifestyle is who was appointed by Pope Francis, him. them who they were. And later on, we sinful,” Father Martin said. “Unless the wrote positive blurbs for Father Martin’s Though Cardinal Tobin left soon can talk.” Blessed Mother shows up in the comm- book. Cardinal Farrell, who was pre- after greeting the Mass attendees, citing a Showing just how sensitive the sim- union line, there is no one sinless in our viously the bishop of Dallas, wrote that previous engagement, eight priests con- ple act of welcome could be, he said that church.” he thought it would “help L.G.B.T. celebrated it with Father Gargani. The after the Mass he had received a fair Across the country, there have been Catholics feel more at home in what is, group was also welcomed by the amount of visceral hate mail from fellow recent glimmers of openness that would after all, their church.” of the cathedral, Bishop Manuel Cruz, Catholics. Someone was even who told the people that the organizing a letter-writing cathedral doors were always campaign to call on other bishops open to them “because we are to correct him. children of God and our identity “And there’s a lot to correct in is that we all belong to him.” me, without a doubt,” Cardinal Many of those in attendance Tobin said. “But not for wel- were moved to tears. coming people. No.” “It felt like a miracle,” said Individual parishes across the Ed Poliandro, a member of St. country have for decades had min- Francis Xavier Parish in Man- istries to gay and lesbian Catholics. hattan and a clinical social But more traditional forces pre- worker. “It was a miracle to vailed among the church hierarchy, have church leaders say, ‘You guided by a 1986 Vatican let- are welcome; you belong.’ And ter written by Cardinal Joseph I felt, after a lifetime of Ratzinger, the future Pope Ben- struggle, that we are home.” edict XVI, that warned against any Cardinal Tobin’s prede- acceptance of homosexuality. cessor in Newark, Archbishop Gay Catholics became among John J. Myers, emphasized the the most marginalized groups in immorality of homosexuality the church. After the nightclub during his tenure, supporting, shooting in Orlando, Fla., last June, for example, the 2016 dismissal for example, only a handful of of a dean of a Catholic high American bishops made public school in Paramus, N.J., for statements of support for the gay marrying her lesbian partner. So and lesbian community that had Cardinal Tobin’s welcome to been targeted. not have been possible under previous But Cardinal Tobin’s welcome to Mass was particularly powerful for those The Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit popes, Mr. DeBernardo said. Mass on May 21 has been the most sig- there from his own diocese. priest and author, said he found the The diocese of Jefferson City, Mo., nificant of such recent gestures, because “He brought Francis to us,” said bishops’ silence revelatory. He has for example, said last month that it of the symbolism of a cardinal welcom- Thomas M. Smith, 66, a deacon who written a book calling for small steps would permit transgender students in its ing a group of gay Catholics, some of serves the deaf community at the Newark forward that was released on Tuesday, Catholic schools. In October, Bishop whom were married to same-sex cathedral. “I’ve been waiting 25 years for “Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Robert McElroy of San Diego held a spouses, to participate in the Sacrament this. I’m a deacon in the church, and I’ve Church and the L.G.B.T. Community diocesan synod on the family that called of Holy Communion at the center of a had to be careful. And afraid.” Can Enter Into a Relationship of Respect, for improved ministry toward gay and cathedral, no questions asked. He teared up, remembering how his Compassion and Sensitivity.” lesbian Catholics. At a New Ways Min- The “L.G.B.T. pilgrimage” was parents had died thinking he would go to In it, he calls on church leaders to istry national conference in April, Bishop organized by gay ministries within hell if he found someone to love. “This is show respect by using terms like “gay” John Stowe of Lexington, Ky., said he the Church of the Sacred Heart in South amazing to me,” he said. 