B NDINGS Volume 25, No. 3 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Spring 2005 Cardinal’s anti-gay marriage letter draws condemnation By Allison Dunfield that Catholics don’t support same-sex the Canadian Forces have indicated this Ms. Kennedy called that ludicrous. The Globe and Mail marriage.” week that they will support same-sex “The legislation and the Supreme Toronto, Canada Ms. Kennedy cited an August, 2003, marriages on their bases, by drafting a Court decision was very clear. The January 19, 2005 Environics poll showing 57 per cent of policy for military clergy who may Catholic church does not have to marry Canadian Catholics are in favour of choose to perform the ceremonies. same-sex couples if it doesn’t want to.” TORONTO—A group representing allowing such unions. She said the In his letter to Cardinal Ambrozic’s letter is the progressive Catholics has condemned a cardinal is simply “fearmongering” Mr. Martin, published in Wednesday’s second high-profile church proposal in call by the Roman Catholic archbishop ahead of the Liberal government’s Globe and Mail, recent weeks. of Toronto for the Liberals to maintain proposed same-sex legislation. the cardinal Calgary marriage as a union between heterosexu- The letter is the latest gearing-up urged Mr. Bishop Fred als, calling his comments activity of groups on both sides of the Martin to use Henry recently “fearmongering” and out of touch with same-sex debate as they ready them- the notwith- sent a letter to his reality. selves to lobby either for or against standing clause followers arguing Challenge the Church, a Toronto- homosexual marriage ahead of the to allow for a that the state based organization of Catholics who Liberal bill, expected to be tabled some long-term must use its push human-rights issues within the time after Parliament resumes its discussion of coercive power church, argued Wednesday that com- session on Jan. 31. the possible either to pro- ments made by Cardinal Aloysius The Conservative Party launched an implications of scribe or to Ambrozic in a letter urging Prime advertising campaign against same-sex gay marriage. Cardinal Aloysius Ambrozic curtail homosexu- Minister Paul Martin to block gay marriage Wednedsay, aimed especially The cardinal ality. That letter marriage are “Draconian.” at some in Canada’s ethnic community. asked Mr. causing a flurry “I would say the majority of Catholics Mr. Martin was forced to defend his Martin to use of angry mail and would disagree with him,” Helen government’s decision to introduce the the notwith- editorials across Kennedy, a spokeswoman for Challenge legislation during a trip to India this standing clause, the country. the Church, told globeandmail.com. week after a powerful Sikh religious which has five- Ms. Kennedy “He’s living in a cocoon if he thinks leader there condemned the idea. And Cardinal Aloysius Ambrozic year lifespan, to allow for a “sober and said her group plans to hold a meeting careful decision on the matter.” this week to make further plans to lobby California Catholic school The notwithstanding clause is a MPs and get them to support the mechanism that the provincial and legislation. federal governments can use to override “It’s a wake-up call for gays and angers parents by admitting the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, lesbians across the country. . . It puts us which provincial courts have cited in on notice that we really have to step up decisions upholding the right of gay and get in touch with our MPs.” gay couple’s sons couples to marry. The proposed legislation has the Gays and lesbians must be protected support of the Bloc Québécois, the NDP The Associated Press straightforward assurance to any under the Charter of Rights and Free- and some Liberals. Mr. Martin has January 2, 2005 prospective parent that their child will be doms just like any other group, Ms. publicly said that he supports same-sex taught the fullness of Roman Catholic Kennedy argued. marriage and has announced that cabinet COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) - A group of doctrine.” “It’s absolutely absurd to think that we members will be required to vote for the parents and parishioners has accused the School officials, however, rejected wouldn’t have the same rights as any bill, although the vote will be free for Orange County diocese of violating demands for a parental covenant last other Canadian,” Ms. Kennedy said. “It’s other MPs. church doctrine by allowing a gay couple week and issued a new policy stating human rights issue. You can’t cherry pick Tories launch anti-gay marriage ad to enroll their children in a Catholic that a family’s background “does not under the Charter.” The Conservative Party, meanwhile, is school. constitute an absolute obstacle to The cardinal’s letter contended that against the bill and has launched a print The group demanded last month that enrollment in the school.” Parliament’s passing same-sex marriage advertising campaign on the subject. St. John the Baptist School in Costa “I firmly believe that this policy is in legislation would affect the fabric of the Copies of the ad were supplied to Mesa accept only families that pledge to line with the teaching of the Catholic country’s social institutions, including media outlets on Wednesday. abide by Catholic teachings. That would Church,” Rev. Martin Benzoni, who schools, where children would have to The ad asks Canadians to send the likely bar the men’s two adopted boys oversees the 550-student elementary and be taught about same-sex relationships, Tories a reply on whether they support from attending the school’s kindergarten middle school, told the Times. and that it would teach society that gay marriage. because of church opposition to relation- Rev. Gerald M. Horan, superintendent of same-sex relationships are “morally With block letters reading: “Where do equivalent” to heterosexual ones— you draw the line”, the print ads show a ships and adoption by same-sex couples. schools operated by the diocese, sug- gested that hewing too closely to Catholic something the cardinal disagrees with. picture of Mr. Martin with a caption saying “This is not a radical or mean-spirited beliefs would mean banning children The Roman Catholic leader also feared he intends to impose gay marriage on approach to Catholic education,” the whose parents divorced, used birth that Catholics would be required to Canadians and a photo of Mr. Harper group told the school in a letter reviewed control or married outside the church. perform same-sex marriages against their saying he believes in traditional marriage. by the Los Angeles Times. “It is a Continued on page 4beliefs. Continued on page 4 Page 2 BONDINGS Volume 25, No. 3 B NDINGS Spain’s Catholic Church Spring 2005 Vol. 25, No. 3 Backs Condoms Francis DeBernardo, Editor Jennifer Morgan, Production Manager and Design The Associated Press “I think it was January 19, 2005 absolutely inevi- Board of Directors table that the Mary Byers MADRID—Spain’s Catholic Church said it sup- Church would Frank O’Donnell, SM ports the use of condoms to prevent the spread of change its stance,” Rev. Paul Thomas AIDS - a substantial shift from traditional policy. said the group’s The Vatican states that condoms, being a form of president, Beatriz Board of Advisors artificial birth control, cannot be used to help Gimeno. Mary Ann Coyle, SL prevent the spread of HIV, the virus that causes The daily newspa- William Hunt, SFO AIDS. per El Pais noted Patricia McDermott, RSM But “condoms have a place in the global preven- Beatriz Gimeno that as recently as Barbara Regan, rc tion of AIDS,” Juan Antonio Martinez Camino, November, the Spanish Bishops Conference had spokesman for the Spanish Bishops Conference, told vehemently opposed the Health Ministry’s Staff reporters after a meeting Tuesday with Health campaign to promote the use of condoms. The Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director Minister Elena Salgado to discuss ways of fighting paper quoted Martinez Camino as saying then Terence Cant, Program Specialist the disease. that it was “gravely false” to maintain that Jennifer Morgan, Staff Associate Martinez Camino said the Spanish Catholic contraceptives prevented the spread of HIV. Church’s stance is backed by the scientific world. In June, the president of the Pontifical Coun- Co-Founders He cited a recent study by experts in the medical cil for the Family, Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Sister Jeannine Gramick magazine Lancet that supported the so-called Trujillo, said condom use was “a form of Father Robert Nugent “ABC” approach of fighting AIDS - “A” for absti- Russian roulette” in fighting AIDS, El Pais nence, “B” for being faithful to partners, and “C” for said. The remark was roundly condemned by Bondings is a seasonal publication designed to keep condoms. the Spanish government, the World Health our subscribers informed of issues that pertain to lesbian “The Church is very worried and interested by this Organization and other organizations involved and gay people and the Catholic Church. problem,” he said. in fighting AIDS, the papers added. There was no comment from the Vatican to the The United Left parliamentary coalition Founded in 1977, New Ways Ministry is an educational Spanish statement. described the change in stance as “a historic and bridge-building ministry of reconciliation between The Spanish Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Trans- advance.” the Catholic gay and lesbian community and institutional sexuals and Bisexuals welcomed the change in policy. structures in the Roman Catholic Church.

New Ways Ministry seeks to eradicate prevalent myths and stereotypes about homosexuality and supports civil Pope Advocates Education to rights for lesbian and gay persons in society. Prevent AIDS For more information, contact: New Ways Ministry, 4012 29th St., The Associated Press But on Wednesday night, the conference Mt. Rainier, MD 20712 January 22, 2005 issued a statement saying the bishop’s com- (301) 277-5674 ments “must be understood in the context of E-mail: [email protected] VATICAN CITY—Education, chastity and sexual Catholic doctrine, which holds that use of Web: www.newwaysministry.org fidelity are the responsible methods to combat condoms is immoral sexual conduct.” AIDS, Pope John Paul II said Saturday, reiterating Spain’s gay groups reacted by saying they Vatican policy days after Spanish bishops sup- regretted the church’s return to old policy after ported condom use to fight the disease but then its “attack of lucidity.” TO SUBSCRIBE... quickly reversed their position. The pope said the church has mobilized itself COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORM BELOW The Vatican has come under fire from AIDS on behalf of AIDS victims, especially by insist- Please add my name to your mailing list. Enclosed is: activists because it forbids use of condoms, even to ___ $15.00 in the U.S. or Canada ing they be assured access to necessary ___ $20.00 outside the U.S. or Canada prevent transmission of the HIV virus. treatment. ___ I would like to receive Bondings, but cannot donate “The Holy See ... considers that it is necessary On Friday, the pope told members of a Vatican at this time. above all to combat this disease in a responsible council on health care issues that they should ___ An extra contribution for those unable to donate way by increasing prevention, notably through pay special attention to AIDS victims. Name ______education about respect of the sacred value of life In his speech to the ambassador, John Paul Address ______and formation about the correct practice of sexual- also spoke of the need for “absolute respect for City ______ity, which presupposes chastity and fidelity,” John human life, from conception to natural death,” in State/Province ______Zip______Paul told the Netherlands’ new ambassador to the a reference to abortion and euthanasia, both of Home Phone______Holy See, Monique Patricia Antoinette Frank, who which the church forbids. Work Phone ______presented her credentials to the pontiff. The Netherlands legalized euthanasia, or E-mail ______The pope’s comments came days after Spanish doctor-assisted suicide, in 2001 in cases where bishops made front-page headlines by announcing the patient is in unbearable pain and there is no Please make check payable to “New Ways Ministry.” Outside the an apparent change in policy toward condom use. hope of recovery. Last month, a Dutch medical U.S., please use use only checks drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars; no postal money orders. On Tuesday, Bishop Juan Antonio Martinez commission, in a nonbinding report, said Mail to: New Ways Ministry, Camino, spokesman for the Spanish Bishops Confer- euthanasia should also be allowed for those 4012 29th Street, Mt. Rainier, MD 20712. ence, said “condoms have a place in the global who are not physically ill but are suffering prevention of AIDS.” mentally and don’t want to live. Spring 2005 BONDINGS Page 9 Pontiff condemns Gay-Friendly Parishes same-sex marriage continued from page 7 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 Commission was rejected after he to lesbian and gay Catholics as members and active parishioners, please let us know. Tell us if this espoused conservative Catholic views, welcome is because of a support program, spirituality group, mission statement, participation in gay like considering homosexuality a sin. community events, involvement with parents, or simply the friendliness of pastoral staff. Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, said then Alabama Illinois Long Island: SS. Cyril and Methodius, Deer Park; that “a new holy Inquisition” threatened Montgomery: St. Bede Berwyn: St. Mary of the Celle St. Brigid’s, Westbury; St. Elizabeth, Melville to persecute the Continent’s faithful. Chicago: Loyola University, St. Clement, St. Gregory Manhattan: Holy Name of Jesus; St. Joseph, But Monday’s message was perhaps an Arizona Country Club Hills: St. Emeric Greenwich Village; St. Francis Xavier; St. Paul the even stronger indictment of what the Mesa: Christ the King Morton Grove: St. Martha Apostle Catholic Church sees as loose secular Scottsdale: Franciscan Renewal Center Rochester: Emmanuel Church of the Deaf, St. values, both because it was delivered in Tempe: All Saints Catholic Newman Center Indiana Augustine, St. John the Evangelist (Humboldt the pope’s own words and because it Tuscon: SS. Peter and Paul, St. Pius X, Our Evansville: St. Mary St.), St. Mary’s, St. Monica came during his so-called state of the Mother of Sorrows, St. Odilia Notre Dame: GALA Notre Dame/St. Mary’s College Syracuse: St. Andrew the Apostle world address, which establishes the Utica: St. Francis DeSales California Iowa Vatican’s priorities for the coming year. Berkeley: Holy Spirit Parish Iowa City: St. Thomas More North Carolina Thus, the pope’s unusual emphasis on Claremont: Mother of Good Counsel, Our Charlotte: St. Peter matters of sexual morality underscored the Lady of the Assumption Kentucky Durham: Immaculate Conception importance the church now places on Eagle Rock: St. Dominic’s Louisville: Epiphany, Cathedral of the Assumption, St. Fayetteville: St. Patrick such issues, Goleta: St. Mark’s University Parish William’s Raleigh: St. Francis of Assisi especially as some countries, like Belgium Hawthorne: St. Joseph’s (Spanish) and the Netherlands, have passed LaPuente: St. Martha Maine Ohio legislation making same-sex marriages Long Beach: St. Matthew’s Saco: Most Holy Trinity Akron: St. Bernard, St. Martha legal. Even Spain, an overwhelmingly Los Angeles: Blessed Sacrament, Christ the Cincinnati: Lesbian/Gay Ministry, Xavier Catholic country, King, Loyola-Marymount University, Mother Maryland University; Newman Center, University of Cincinnati has taken the proposal of Good Counsel, St. Camillus Center-LA USC Baltimore: Corpus Christi, Loyola College, St. Francis Cleveland: Ascension of Our Lord; Gesu Parish under consideration. Medical Center (Spanish), St. Paul the Apostle of Assisi, St. Philip and James University Heights; St. Ladislas, Westlake; St. The pope, who suffers from Parkinson’s North Hollywood: St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Columbia: St. John the Evangelist Malachi; St. John Vianney, Mentor; St. Mary of disease, read the opening and closing St. Patrick’s Gaithersburg: St. Rose of Lima the Immaculate Conception, Wooster remarks of the speech while entrusting the Sacramento: St. Francis of Assisi Hagerstown: St. Ann Columbus: Newman Center, Ohio State University rest to an aide. The five-page address San Diego: Christ the King, Our Lady of the Severn: St. Bernadette Dayton: University of Dayton Campus Ministry touched on a wide variety of issues. Sacred Heart, St. Didicus It reiterated the pope’s staunch opposi- San Fransisco: Most Holy Redeemer, Old St. Massachusetts Oregon Mary’s Cathedral tion to abortion and to the use of human Boston: Boston College, Jesuit Urban Center, Paulist Central Point: Shepherd of the Valley San Luis Obispo: Old Mission of San Luis Obispo embryos to foster stem-cell research, Center, St. Anthony’s Shrine Portland: Koinonia Catholic Community, St. San Rafael: Church of San Rafael & Mission Newton: Our Lady Help of Christians Andrew, St. Phillip Neri, St. Vincent de Paul stating that “the San Rafael Archangel Provincetown: St. Peter the Apostle Church’s position, supported by reason Santa Clara: GALA, Santa Clara University Sharon: Our Lady of Sorrows Pennsylvania and science, is clear, the human embryo is Santa Cruz: Holy Cross Worcester: Holy Cross College Philadelphia: Old St. Joseph’s, Old St. Mary’s, St. a subject identical to the human being Santa Monica: St. Monica’s John the Evangelist, St. Vincent de Paul which will be born at the term of its Spring Valley: Santa Sophia Michigan York: St. Joseph, San Damiano development. Consequently, whatever Valinda: St. Martha’s St. Ignace: St. Ignatius Loyola violates the integrity and the dignity of West Hollywood: St. Ambrose, St. Victor’s Rhode Island the embryo is ethically inadmissible.” Whittier: St. Mary of the Assumption Missouri Providence: St. Francis Chapel & City Ministry Center The diplomats and their spouses stood Kansas City: Cathedral of the Immaculate dressed in a sober black that contrasted Colorado Conception, St. Francis Xavier Texas with the bright frescoes in the hall of the Arvada: Spirit of Christ Catholic Community St. Louis: Holy Family, Holy Innocents, St. Cronan, Austin: University Catholic Center-Univ. of Texas Apostolic Palace and listened silently as Boulder: St. Thomas Aquinas St. Margaret of Scotland, St. Pius V Dallas: Holy Trinity the pope’s comments stretched to trouble Denver: St. Dominic’s Plano: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton spots across the globe. Minnesota San Antonio: University of the Incarnate Word John Paul criticized the unfair distribu- Connecticut Minneapolis: St. Frances Cabrini, St. Joan of Arc, tion of wealth in the world, and urged Hartford: St. Patrick-St. Anthony St. Stephen Virginia leaders to do something about the hunger St. Paul: College of St. Catherine, Univ. of St. Thomas Arlington: Our Lady Queen of Peace District of Columbia and poverty it causes. Richmond: Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Sacred Dahlgren Chapel-Georgetown University, New Jersey “An adequate response to this need, Heart Parish Holy Trinity, St. Aloysius, St. Matthew Cathedral Clifton: St. Brendan Roanoke: St. Gerard’s which is growing in scale and urgency, Wayside: St. Anselm Virginia Beach: St. Nicholas calls for a vast mobilization of public Florida opinion, especially in those countries Casselberry: St. Augustine New Mexico Washington enjoying a sufficient or even prosperous Ft. Lauderdale: St. Anthony, St. Maurice Espanola: Sacred Heart of Jesus Seattle: St. Benedict standard of living,” the pope said. Melbourne: Ascension Parish He also mentioned the numerous grim Naples: St. John the Evangelist New York West Virginia events of the past year, from the Dec. 26 Winter Haven: St. Matthew Baldwinsville: St. Augustine Shepherdstown: St. Agnes tsunamis to the locusts that befell Brooklyn: St. Andrew the Apostle, St. Boniface northwest Africa to the “inhuman Georgia East Islip: St. Mary Wisconsin violence” in Darfur, Sudan, and what he Atlanta: Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Fairport: Church of the Assumption Madison: St. Benedict Center Sunday Assembly called the “barbarous terrorism” afflicting Milwaukee: Prince of Peace, Trinity-Guadalupe Iraq. Spring 2005 BONDINGS Page 3 Sister Jeannine Gramick: ‘Rebel nun’ with a gay and lesbian cause By Robert Kahn - and spurred a Vatican investigation. of conscience.” begins the process of joining a new Newsday The Congregation, finding that News reports of the Vatican’s efforts to order, the Sisters of Loreto. June 9, 2004 Gramick’s ministry was orthodox but thwart Gramick caught the attention of The film’s director of photography is failed to emphasize the church teaching Emmy- winning journalist Barbara Rick. Al Maysles, who created “Gimme NEW YORK – This is the story of a 61- that denounces gayness as “intrinsically She reached out to Tom Fontana, the Shelter,” the Rolling Stones’ famed year-old nun with inclinations toward evil,” demanded that she publicly influential creator of HBO’s prison series Altamont documentary. Financial Birkenstocks and Jane Fonda exercise condemn homosexuality. “Oz.” Respectively, the pair directed and backing came from sources including videos, and a knack for incurring the “Sister Gramick has caused confusion executive-produced “In Good Conscience.” Ellen DeGeneres, Susan Sarandon and concentrated fury of the Catholic among the Trudie Styler. hierarchy in Rome. Catholic Today, Gramick contin- In 1977, Sister Jeannine Gramick - people and ues to speak out about the dubbed “the rebel nun” these days in the has harmed discrimination faced by mainstream press - heeded a call from the commu- the gay community. God and her conscience by co-founding nity of the Forbidden to hold a groundbreaking ministry for gay and church,” read workshops, she instead lesbian Catholics outside Washington, a May 31, tours the country, holding D.C. 1999, telegram question- and-answer “You can’t go against the cardinal,” she she received sessions at coffeeshops recalls her elderly father telling her, when from Cardinal and bookstores. he learned what she had done. John “You find creative ways “I was breaking the cardinal rule,” she Ratzinger and to go about things,” says acknowledged to friends, with a resigned approved by Gramick, who deflects humor. the pope. inquiries about her own For more than two decades, from her “For these sexual orientation. “The base in Maryland, Gramick worked to reasons, she directive did not say I heal Catholics who felt excluded from is perma- U.S. Premiere of the documentary, In Good Conscience, at the Lincoln Center, New couldn’t speak or write their spiritual heritage and were strug- nently York, NY, June 9, 2004. Left to right: Sister Jeannine Gramick, SL; Barbara Rick, about homosexuality.” gling to discern what sexual behavior prohibited Gramick’s drive, and in fact her Director; Tom Fontana, Executive Producer. was permissible in the eyes of God. from any moral “permission” to pursue her work, Her efforts were stunningly challenged pastoral work involving homosexual “One of my brothers is gay,” Fontana comes from “the church’s best kept in 1999, when a powerful cardinal and persons.” said in an e-mail explaining his motivation secret,” primacy of conscience, the Pope John Paul II himself demanded that A similar letter from her order of nearly for joining the project. “He was a devout vaunted tenet that holds Catholics will she halt all pastoral work involving gays. 40 years, the School Sisters of Notre Catholic, until the hierarchy made him be judged by how true they are to their Gramick turned her back on those Dame, followed suit in 2000. feel like a stranger in the House of God. I beliefs and not how precisely they follow “obediences,” and her unorthodox tale is Her response to Ratzinger - “I choose find the church’s attitude very un-Christ- canonical rules. being brought to national attention in a not to collaborate in my own oppression like.” “Any time we make conscious new documentary, “In Good Con- by restricting a basic human right” - The 80-minute film follows Gramick to decisions, we hope they will be in tune science,” debuting tonight at Lincoln resulted in Gramick’s being abandoned Rome, where she futilely attempts to with church doctrine,” she says. “But if Center. by the Sisters of Notre Dame and deliver a copy of her book to Cardinal what I’ve come to believe is not the Gramick was raised in a Roman Catholic forbidden by the congregation from Ratzinger; to the 2002 U.S. Conference of same as what my church leaders say, I family in Philadelphia. In 1971, while in giving workshops for gays and lesbians. Catholic Bishops in Dallas; and to the have an obligation to follow my con- graduate school, she became friendly “To me,” she rejoined, “this is a matter outskirts of Louisville, Ky., where she science.” with a gay man who had forsaken Catholicism for the Episcopal church. His homosexuality, he had come to In Good Conscience: Sister Jeannine Gramick’s Journey of believe, excluded him from his spiritual heritage. Faith The friendship proved a watershed moment for Gramick. With a Jesuit priest A Film by Barbara Rick named Robert Nugent, she went on to co-found the New Ways Ministry, a WORLD PREMIERE – 19th Annual Turin Int’l Gay & Lesbian Film Festival “compassionate ministry” for gays and lesbians. The two worked to forge a CANADIAN PRIMIERE – Inside/Out Toronto Gay & Lesbian Film Festival place within the faith, through work- U.S. PREMIERE – Lincoln Center, New York City shops, conferences and pilgrimages to Rome, for a group historically relegated Upcoming venues: to the fringes. University of Notre Dame, IN; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; New York, NY; Tucson, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; As part of her work, Gramick in 1992 Melbourne, Australia; Rochester, NY; London, England; Nashville, TN; St. Paul, MN published “Building Bridges: Gay and Lesbian Reality and the Catholic Church.” The book brought her to the To arrange screenings in your area, contact Out of The Blue Films, Inc. in New York: attention of the Congregation for the Barbara Rick, President & Founder, Out of The Blue Films, Inc., 799 Broadway Suite 609, New Doctrine of the Faith - formerly, she notes York, NY 10003, 212.477.2211, [email protected] or on the web http://www.outofthebluefilms.com with irony, “the Office of the Inquisition” Page 8 BONDINGS Volume 25, No. 3 New Vatican Document on Homosexuality and the Priesthood Coming Before Fall 2005

LifeSiteNews.com orientations should not be ordained. the Congregation for Catholic Educa- said, “”I think it’s going to be a December 13, 2004 The December 2002 bulletin of the tion in consultation with several other balanced document, because the whole Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Vatican agencies, including the question of homosexuality not only VATICAN CITY – John Thavis, the Worship and the Sacraments contained doctrinal congregation. In a report has psychological dimensions but also Vatican correspondent for the Catholic a letter signed by Cardinal Jorge earlier this year, the education congre- has varying degrees of a person acting News Service, an agency of the US Medina Estevez, who has since retired gation described it as an “instruction out or not acting out.” He added, “So Bishops Conference, reports that the as the head of the Congregation, on the criteria and norms for the the whole question has to be nuanced Vatican will soon publish a document which said ordaining such men would discernment in questions regarding considerably: ‘What is homosexual- concerning homosexuality and the be imprudent and “very risky.” homosexuality in view of the admission ity?’ ‘What are the homosexual priesthood. The report notes that A prominent Vatican document of candidates to the seminary and to attractions?’ and that sort of thing. I Vatican officials are preparing an dealing with the issue was released as sacred orders.” think this document will be helpful inspection (or visitation) of US semi- early as 1961. The 1961 document from Commenting on the coming docu- because it is going to address those naries to commence in the Fall of 2005 the Sacred Congregation for Religious ment which has been more than five questions.” and the document is expected prior to prohibits the admission of homosexu- years in the making, Bishop Nienstedt the visitation. als to the diocesan priesthood and Bishop John C. Nienstedt of New religious orders. The document states: Ulm, Minn., chairman of the U.S. “Those affected by the perverse bishops’ Committee on Priestly Forma- inclination to homosexuality or tion, said in an interview in Rome, “I pederasty should be excluded from think they intend to have it out by the religious vows and ordination,” New Ways Ministry time the visitation begins.” because priestly ministry would place The Vatican has confirmed several such persons in “grave danger”. times that men with homosexual sexual The document is being prepared by Financial Statement Cardinal letter draws July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004 Revenues Total % of Total condemnation Contributions $ 74,422.83 50.9 continued from page 1 Grants 37,000.00 25.3

“Frankly, we think a clear majority of told globeandmail.com that Canadian Investments 20,636.30 14.1 Canadians support the compromise I Forces wanted to “put information into Programs 8,064.00 5.5 put forward, including a lot of people place that our chaplains could conduct Publications 5,796.16 4.0 who vote Liberal and traditionally their ministry according to, because Other 202.36 .1 don’t vote for this party,” Mr. Harper this is something new, and it’s some- said following a speech to the local thing very different for our churches Total Revenue $146,121.65 99.9* chamber of commerce in Quebec City. as well.” The campaign will target Canadian The policy was put together by the ethnic groups. During Mr. Martin’s trip interfaith committee of the military Expenses to India on Tuesday, he was forced to chaplaincy, he said. Contributions $ 3,270.34 2.9 defend the Liberals on the domestic Churches represented in the armed Salaries and benefits 62,873.89 56.4 issue of same-sex marriage after a top forces include Roman Catholic, Telephone, equipment, supplies 2,807.16 2.5 Sikh religious leader there came out Baptist, Presbyterian and United Postage and Printing 9,432.31 8.5 strongly against gay unions. Church. In 2003, military chaplains Occupancy 4,120.83 3.7 Canadian Forces drafts policy to guide conducted 228 marriages on military Travel and conference 7,495.84 6.7 chaplains in performing same-sex bases across Canada, statistics Depreciation 4,872.00 4.4 marriage ceremonies provided by the Defence Department Fees and payroll taxes 4,836.25 4.3 The Canadian Forces, meanwhile, has said. Staff dev., library, PR, consult., vol. 11,815.05 10.6 drafted a policy providing guidelines However, there have so far been no for military chaplains to marry gay and requests for same-sex ceremonies, Col. Total Expenses $111,523.67 100.0 lesbian Canadian Forces members. Johnstone said. A spokesman for the Department of He said the military is leading the Fund balance, beginning of year $308,943.64 Defence told globeandmail.com that way on this issue ahead of any federal Excess for year 34,597.98 the full set of proposals is still being legislation. Other changes in net assets 1,078.89 finalized. “We represent all sides of it within Fund balance, end of year** 344,620.51 Lieutenant Luc Charron said that the armed forces.” basically, the policy says as long as According to an article in the Ottawa *Rounding equivalent chaplains are comfortable with con- Sun, the Canadian Forces policy will *Approximately $245,000 of the current fund balance represents a reserve for ducting gay weddings, they may do be considered “interim” until the fifteen months operational expenses. The fund balance also includes land, so. legislation is passed by Parliament. building, and equipment assets of approximately $100,000. Colonel Stan Johnstone, a military With a report from Canadian Press chaplain who helped draft the policy, and Michael Valpy Page 6 BONDINGS Volume 25, No. 3 Grace Builds on Nature: A Gay Catholic Theological Response to the Vatican’s Statement on Gay Marriage

By Daniel A. Helminiak supposedly condemn homosexuality. Misguided Concern about the Social Order Western civilization. Even Vatican annul- White Crane Journal of Gay Spirituality As Catholic scholars John Boswell and It is glaringly untrue that stable lesbian and ments acknowledge the legitimacy of this Summer 2004 Mark Jordan have shown, Christian Tradition gay relationships contribute nothing to the novelty. The recognition of gay marriage is has simply not always condemned same-sex good of society. How could mutually but the logical unfolding of a historical The Vatican’s core argument against gay relationships. supportive and life-enhancing relationships process long underway. marriage or unions can be stated in an In practice, Catholicism does not insist on not benefit the social order overall? Many heterosexual couples today remain equation: marriage = sex = procreation. procreative sex. The church continues to Likewise, how could the institutionalization childless. Then, the case of two childless Supposedly, the bless the marriages of of same-sex relationships devalue marriage? heterosexuals is an exact parallel to that of linkage between known sterile couples and Husbands and wives are hardly likely to two childless gay men or lesbians who enter these three allows sex between divorce en masse and find homosexual a long-term, committed relationship. That the elements is couples who are beyond lovers. Neither are same-sex unions going to heterosexual arrangement should be called inviolable, and, child-bearing age. seduce young people away from heterosexual marriage but not the homosexual one is a supposedly, this The argument about the marriage: As the Vatican officially admits, claim that cries to heaven for reasonable linkage expresses supposed homosexuality is not a choice. That lesbians explanation. Consistency would require either the nature of complementarity of man and gays respect and desire marriage sexual relation- and woman is bogus. would seem only to bolster that institu- ship itself. Same- Psychologically any two tion. sex marriage people might valuably Supposedly, to institutionalize gay cannot qualify. complement one another, marriage would be to institutionalize an Contemporary so the touted evil. This argument begs the question. It Same-Sex insight into the complementarity must remains to be shown that homosexual nature of human regard genital plumbing relationships are evil. sexuality shows and is but another Unless lesbian and gay relationships are that the Vatican biological reductionism. sinful, institutionalizing them could not and the C equation is Research shows give bad example to the young or obscure wrong. conclusively that homo- moral values. The Vatican again begs the The Vatican sexuality is in no way an question. Daniel Helminiak Beyond dispute, the civil recognition of emphasizes the basest dimension of sex: the illness—or an “intrinsic disorder,” according gay marriage would imply a change in the biological production of offspring; and it to the Vatican. Rather, homosexuality is a organization of society. But whether that that heterosexual relationships be granted the devalues the distinctively human dimension natural variation, an aspect of the diversity change would be good or bad is another status of marriage only when children of sex: the bonding of hearts and minds in that the Creator built into the universe. question. Abolition of slavery, universal become part of the household or that any interpersonal relationship. In humans sex is Finally, gay and lesbian people are not suffrage, racial integration, and women’s couple bonded for intimacy and mutual first and foremost about personal bonding godless or sinful in their relationships. In rights also demanded the restructuring of support be granted the status married. and only secondarily, incidentally, about fact, they report their “coming out” as a society. Would the Vatican, on principle, turn Focus on the children recasts the discus- procreation. moment of grace. Honest self-acceptance back the clock on all social change? sion of gay marriage. The line should not be The official Catholic position needs to be allows their lives to blossom in gratitude, A Position of Blind Faith drawn between gay and straight relationships challenge outright. However, this rejection of love, generosity, and societal contribution. The Vatican has only one reason for but between child-rearing and childless the official Catholic teaching is not a rejection Misrepresentation of Social-Science opposing gay marriage: It entails a non- households, whether straight or gay. This of the Catholic presupposition. Natural law Findings about Same-Sex Families procreative use of sex. But whether sex does arrangement would better preserve the telling remains the basis of this whole discussion. It must constitute deliberate distortion of need to be procreative is debatable, to say feature in the traditional Western marriage, But on the pivotal question—What is the the documented evidence for the Vatican to the least. Other Christian churches have long the feature that, it seems, rightly concerns the nature of human sexuality?—the Vatican is suggest that gay and lesbian relationships abandoned opposition to the use of contra- Vatican: the rearing of children. wrong. enjoy no unitive or conjugal—that is, ceptives, and Christian churches bless gay Civil Union versus Sacred Marriage Of course, the Second Vatican Council positive interpersonal—dimension. Like relationships. Nothing supports the Vatican A sane sorting-out of the issues requires weighted the procreative and the interper- straight couples, gay couples find in each position except unthinking acceptance of the recognition of the difference between sonal (“unitive”) dimensions of sex equally, other affection, support, encouragement, Vatican’s own teaching. religious and civil marriages. Justice demands but insistence on procreation continues to companionship, spiritual enrichment, and A Valid Consideration: Concern for the that civil society grant equal rights and define Catholic teaching and controls its meaning, purpose, and stability in the Children responsibilities to everyone. So civil authori- every practical application. As is blatant in maelstrom of life. Gay and lesbian relation- Nonetheless, buried in the Catholic ties need to craft laws that treat all coupled the document on gay marriage, the Vatican ships clearly “express and promote the documents is one concern truly worthy of relationships equally and that, in addition, downplays the interpersonal meaning of mutual assistance” of the couples. note: the place of the children. Historically, privilege those relationships that involve the human sexuality. Similarly, it must constitute deliberate marriage, family, child-rearing, and procre- rearing of children. Perhaps the former should Inconclusive Religious Arguments against distortion of the documented evidence to ative sex naturally fitted together. From our be called unions and only the latter, marriage. Same-Sex Relationships suggest that living in lesbian or gay families current perspective in which sex can be non- The secular resolution need not be the same Not only is the Vatican’s basic teaching developmentally harms—and, thus, suppos- procreative, it becomes clear that child- as the religious. The religions are free to define about sex off base. Everything the Vatican edly, victimizes—children. Research studies rearing was the real but overshadowed their sacred rites however they wish. But proclaims about homosexual relationships— have followed such children through their meaning of marriage. Catholic opposition to the legalization of gay except that they are not procreative—is teenage years, and these children fare at least Today a new ideal has emerged: People marriage in whatever form is pure sectarianism; wrong. as well as other children. The Vatican’s marry for love, for psychological intimacy, it is the attempted imposition of gratuitous The Bible does not condemn same-sex accusation of harm and violence is outra- not necessarily to sire offspring and to pass religious beliefs on a pluralistic society. Apart relationships. In light of stunningly conver- geous. Many children would be happy to on property. The 12th-Century Troubadours, from concern for the children, the Vatican’s gent biblical scholarship, an honest person have any place to call home. Besides, the the Romantic poets and novelists, the emphasis on procreative sex is wholly an in- today must, in the very least, admit that Catholic hierarchy has lost all credibility liberation of women, and the invention of the house affair and has no valid relevance to the serious question surrounds the texts that when preaching about concern for children. pill changed the meaning of marriage in continued on page 7 Spring 2005 BONDINGS Page 7 Canada’s Two Biggest Faiths Battle Over Gay Marriage

By Ben Thompson discussion is offensive to the moral and order that one person’s ‘values’ might diminish clean and tell Canadians the truth — there are 365Gay.com religious sensibility of a great number of another’s value. Those who claim that homo- no other options,” Martin told reporters. January 24, 2005 citizens, both Catholic and non-Catholic,” sexual people threaten to dismantle the value “I will not allow the rights of Canadians to be Marc Cardinal Ouellet writes in the letter. of heterosexual marriage would do well to taken away and I will make that - the use of the OTTAWA—As Canada’s Prime Minister Paul “We therefore find ourselves at a turning remember that if anyone destroys marriage, it is notwithstanding clause - a motion of confi- Martin and Opposition leader Stephen Harper point in the evolution of Canadian society, and married people, not gays and lesbians.” dence,’’ Martin said at a news conference in verbally spar over same-sex marriage, the the bill announced by the government Dr. Short also invited MPs to a parliamentary Hong Kong. country’s two biggest denominations have threatens to unleash nothing less than a breakfast that he will host on Parliament Hill on Harper remains coy on the use of the clause, come out swinging with one opposing gay cultural upheaval whose negative conse- Thursday, February 24, to engage parliamentar- which allows a government to opt out of any marriage and the other endorsing it quences are still impossible to predict.” ians in further conversation on the subject of section of the Constitution with which it A letter by the Roman Catholic primate of But, as the Catholic Church was mustering marriage. disagrees. Canada denouncing same-sex marriage was support to oppose the legislation to legalize In China, where he is leading a trade delega- “The prime minister keeps talking about the read Sunday in parish churches across the gay marriage the country’s largest Protestant tion, Prime Minister Martin Sunday repeated a notwithstanding clause and legal mumbo country. denomination was sounding its support. threat he made on Friday that he could call a jumbo because he doesn’t want to face the “At the risk of being judged politically “Some will protest that we must have faith in snap election over gay marriage. marriage issue,’’ Harper from Vancouver. incorrect, we need to recall that the bill under the Bible, and that the Bible takes an unfavor- Martin said that if his minority Liberals lose a But, if the government fell Harper said he able view of intimate same-sex relationship. free vote on same-sex marriage it would not would be comfortable campaigning on a But I would answer that Christian faith is necessarily lead to an election call, but, if the traditional definition of marriage. Tory ads are not an uncritical repetition of a received text. Conservatives attempt to invoke the notwith- already exploiting the wedge issue. It is a mindful commitment to the power of standing clause of the Constitution he would If the government’s gay marriage bill were love, to which the text seeks to give see it as a confidence motion. If the Tories defeated in Parliament it would not affect the ex Marriage witness. Every generation of the Christian won that, Martin said, the government would rights of same-sex couples to wed in areas of faith must decide how they will honor that fall. Canada where the courts have ruled in favor. demand of love in the living of their days. Martin said that if Conservative leader But, gay couples in the other regions would Changing circumstances and changing Stephen Harper wants to ensure marriage in have to go to court to challenge the existing e Church ideas are not the enemy of faith,” said the Canada remains between a man a woman, he law. In every area where gay marriage has Right Rev. Dr. Peter Short, Moderator of the would have to over-ride the Charter of Rights. come before the courts same-sex couples have United Church of Canada in an open letter “The only way that that option can be won. to all members of Parliament. realized is if, in fact, you use the notwithstand- “It is wrong to invoke the love of God in ing clause. Stephen Harper has got to come

A Gay CatholicTheological Response continued from page 6

secular debate about gay marriage. Secular straight marriage insofar as sanctity, grace, and composite Catholic vision. what is more crucial at this point in history— society has long moved beyond sex-for- sacramentality are concerned. Every whole- At this critical time in history, true concern for the Vatican’s argument is unworthy of procreation-only. some relationship is an expression of the Holy the common good is needed, not insistence on humanity. Marriage as a Sacrament Spirit’s action in this world. sectarian beliefs. The Vatican preoccupation [This article was published unabridged in White Catholic belief in the sacramentality of The Genius of Roman Catholicism and the with procreation opens onto one positive Crane: Journal of Gay Spirituality, summer, 2004, marriage also plays into Vatican opposition to Salvation of the Nations contribution: concern for the children. As for and will be included in Helminiak’s Queer Quest: gay marriage. Supposedly, only heterosexual A defining Catholic principle holds that the rest, the Vatican’s limply argued opposition Gay Identity and Spiritual Growth from The relationships provide the appropriate “matter” “Grace builds on nature.” So the argument here to gay marriage must be embarrassing to any Haworth Press.] for a valid sacrament. is actually Roman Catholic through and knowledgeable Catholic. It is unworthy of an Since Augustine, sacraments have been through. Far from being naturalist or secularist, institution that claims to speak of justice, for defined as outward signs that give grace. If it only highlights the earthly dimension in the Jesus, and in the name of God. Perforce—and grace is seen as God’s power and love working among us, any non-sinful human situation could be an occasion of grace. In contrast to Pontiff condemns same-sex marriage others, some life events are deemed pivotal, family values. and these are named sacraments—for example, By Jason Horowitz amok. marriage. International Herald Tribune “Today the family is often threatened by In October, the Vatican rallied behind Rocco If lesbians and gays, as well as objective Paris, France social and cultural pressures which tend to Buttiglione, an Italian minister whose nomi- outside observers, can recognize same-sex January 11, 2005 undermine its stability; but in some coun- nation to the European Commission was re- relationships as blessings from God—for all tries the family is also threatened by legisla- jected after he espoused conservative Catho- the positive reasons noted above but denied tion which - at times directly – challenge its lic views, like considering homosexuality a out of hand by the Vatican—these relation- ROME—Pope John Paul II used his annual natural structure, which is and must neces- sin. ships also qualify as means of grace. Then, for message to diplomats accredited to the Holy sarily be that of a union between a man and Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, presi- the same reasons as in a heterosexual relation- See to deliver an unequivocal condemnation a woman founded on marriage,” said the dent of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for ship—mutual sanctification to the partners—a on Monday of gay marriage in an exception- pope, who spoke in French. Justice and Peace, said then that “a new holy homosexual marriage could also qualify as a ally strongly worded message meant to de- Family, he said, “must never be undermined Inquisition” threatened to persecute the sacrament. fine the position and agenda of the Roman by laws based on a narrow and unnatural Continent’s faithful. In the end, the religions must work out their Catholic Church at a time when the Vatican vision of man.” But Monday’s message was perhaps an particular understanding about the feels its In recent months, senior Vatican officials even stronger indictment of what the Catho- sacramentality of marriage. And secular forces values to be under fierce assualt. have increasingly attacked what they see as lic Church sees as loose secular values, both that oppose same-sex marriage by naive appeal The 84-year-old pontiff addressed the 174 the decaying of Christian values in Europe because it was delivered in the pope’s own to the “sanctity” of marriage must acknowl- ambassadors of the diplomatic corps with an and beyond, and expressed a growing wari- words and because it came during his so- edge that gay marriage can be on a par with incisive account of the Vatican’s stance on ness that relativism and secularism have run continued on page 9 Spring 2005 BONDINGS Page 5 Lesbian couple sues school By Ed Langlois Last summer, the O’Hara School withheld The claim seeks up to $550,000 in Inkmann that the couple’s lesbian The Catholic Messenger admission from a preschooler who is being damages for loss of educational relationship ran counter to church Davenport, Iowa raised by a lesbian couple, Lee Inkmann opportunity and “severe emotional teaching and would be confusing for August 12, 2004 and Trish Wilson. The pair said their distress, humiliation, anxiety, depres- other children and parents. The suit lifestyle was the reason Inkmann’s sion and damage to their reputations.” claims that Fr. Bachmeier said the PORTLAND—The Archdiocese of daughter was not admitted to O’Hara. The suit contains “numerous false decision was his. Portland said it will “vigorously defend” The pair filed suit July 28 against the statements of fact,” said Bud Bunce, The suit does not name the archdio- itself against a lawsuit claiming unlawful school and St. Mary parish, saying the spokesman for the archdiocese. cese, but lawyers for Inkmann and discrimination at a Catholic school in admission decision violated the Eugene Also named in the suit were Dianne Wilson said they plan to file a second Eugene. city code banning discrimination on the Bert, principal at O’Hara, and Father suit in federal bankruptcy court, where The suit filed by a lesbian couple, “is basis of sexual orientation and state law Mark Bachmeier, pastor of St. Mary the archdiocese is working out an believed to be totally without merit,” the that blocks discrimination because of parish, which oversees the school. unprecedented plan to pay sexual abuse archdiocese said in a statement July 28. marital status. According to the suit, Bert told plaintiffs. California school angers parents continued from page 1 Opinion “This is the quagmire that the parents “The boys are being used as pawns by position represents,” Horan said. “It’s a these men to further their agenda,” said slippery slope to go down.” Monica Sii, who has four children at the Children First The boys’ fathers, who enrolled their school. children at the beginning the school year, At least a handful of similar disputes have Sr. Camille D’Arienzo pledge to abide by church teachings. declined to comment to the Times. occurred around the country, according to 1010 Wins—AM Radio Commentary Their pastor and school administra- The decision outraged some parents, with Rev. Jim Schexnayder of the National New York, New York tors rejected those demands. They several promising to ask the Vatican to Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian January 23, 2005 released a new policy insisting that a intervene and threatening to switch schools. and Gay Ministries. In Oregon, a lesbian child’s education comes first “not his “The teachings of the church seem to couple has sued a Catholic school that While churches on the east coast family’s background. The kinder- have been abandoned,” said parent John rejected their daughter. are encased in a deep chill, one garteners had been baptized and were R. Nixon. “We send our children to a Some parents backed the school’s church on the west coast is em- entitled to a Catholic education. The Catholic school because we expect and position. broiled in a hot issue. priest who serves as Superintendent demand that the teachings of our church “Let he who is without sin cast the first Here’s the story. At the beginning of Schools agreed. He, too, opposes will be adhered to. If our Catholic school stone,” said Katie Flores, whose daughter of this school term, a gay couple the introduction of any moral scrutiny is no longer teaching and living Catholic is a classmate of the boys. enrolled their two adopted sons in in church admissions policies.” doctrine, we might as well send our Even so, the group of parents planned to St. John the Baptist School in Costa As for the 18 dissenters, they would children to public schools.” continue pressing their demands. Mesa, California. Eighteen parents do well to review the Gospel in which Others worried the boys’ attendance “We’re taking a stand for the faith,” said signed a letter demanding that the Jesus cautions against those who would set a precedent, portraying it as parent Ken Stashik. “This is much larger school only accept families who would cast the first stone. part of a larger effort by the gay commu- than what’s going on in a small Catholic nity to change church strictures. school in a small town.”

The Friend Examines History of Same-Sex Unions continued from page 4

Jennis and Anne Fleming (pp. 265-266). will, “insisted,” indeed “commanded” – intercourse” (p. 316). He likewise clearly (p. 298). Finch specifically described his friend- these are his own words – that the two indicates that “a sexual potential” (his Unfortunately, such heartfelt pastoral ship with Baines in terms of a clerics should lie together at burial side emphasis) “would not…have stood in observations are all too rare today from “connubium” or “marriage” (p. 141). by side (p. 291). The cardinal had written the way of the confirmation of a sworn other Church leaders, who refuse even Neville died of “inconsolable sorrow” about the much younger man, “From the friendship in the Eucharist” (p. 269). to acknowledge the existence of two days after Clanvowe’s demise, first he loved me with an intensity of The author in part summarizes his committed and loving relationships according to a monk’s official chronicle love” (p. 292) and thesis by citing the English homosexual within the lesbian/gay community. (pp. 18-19). Chitting and Barber, in the at death “put his arm tenderly round my saint, Aelred of Rievaulx, and quoting Hopefully, through Bray’s rigorous Old English inscription on their church neck and drew me close…” (p. 293). He the Cistercian abbot’s spectacular Latin scholarship, avowed same-sex unions monument, “lived and loved like two added, “I have ever thought no bereave- formulation that “God IS friendship” can now be placed in a proper historical most virtuous wights [beings], whose ment was equal to that of a husband’s or (pp. 258, 298). In the same context Bray perspective, when “their eloquent bodyes death wold sever he unites [and] a wife’s, but I [now] feel it difficult to refers to the reflections of a recent imagery of friendship,” as blessed by whose soules in heave’ imbrace…” (pp. believe that any [sorrow] can be greater English cardinal Basil Hume (1923-1999) the Church in life and at death, was 109, 228). than mine” (p. 293). who, after the death of a close friend in often “startlingly reminiscent of Bray’s final chapter (pp. 289-306) Bray stresses, at various points, that 1995, added the following words to his marriage” (p. 5). discusses the profound emotional and the Church would never have intended to earlier document on homosexuality: Fr. Paul Thomas is board chair of spiritual bond between Ambrose St. bless a homogenital relationship through “When two persons love…whether of New Ways Ministry and archivist John, a Catholic priest who died in 1875, its approved rituals. However, he also the same sex or of a different sex…they emeritus of the Archdiocese of and John Henry Newman, who was states that we cannot “reduce the range experience in a limited manner in this Baltimore. created a cardinal in 1879 and died in of what we recognize today as being world what will be their unending 1890. Newman, in his last “imperative” sexual to the narrow question of sexual delight when one with God in the next” Spring 2005 BONDINGS Page 11

Truth Behind Gay-Friendly Catholic Colleges Below is a partial list of known “gay-friendly” Catholic colleges and universities, that is, those Catholic colleges that have Rainbow Week some type of gay and lesbian student group, support group, ally group, etc.. Thank you for helping us add to this growing list! continued from page 10 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 the faculty He said there is both medical and and staff. scientific proof, in addition to the weight of history, that proves that full human development is best realized in California Louisiana Buffalo: Canisius College a family made up of a father and a Belmont: Notre Dame de Namur University New Orleans: Loyola University New Orleans New Rochelle: College of New Rochelle, Iona mother, and that there is no proof of Los Angeles: Loyola Marymount University College this for homosexual couples. Moraga: Saint Mary’s College Maryland Poughkeepsie: Marist College This viewpoint was not represented Ranchos Palos Verde: Marymount College Baltimore: College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Riverdale: College of Mount Saint Vincent in the Rainbow Week presentations. San Diego: University of San Diego Loyola College of Maryland Rochester: Nazareth College of Rochester Sister Elizabeth Linehan, RSM, one San Francisco: University of San Francisco Syracuse: LeMoyne College of the Rainbow Week organizers, says Santa Clara: Santa Clara University Massachusetts Tarrytown: Marymount College that Courage was invited in 2001 to Boston: Emmanuel College partake in a panel discussion called Colorado Chestnut Hill: Boston College Ohio “Gay and Catholic,” but that Courage Denver: Regis University Easton: Stonehill College Cincinnati: Xavier University declined. North Andover: Merrimack College Dayton: University of Dayton According to Courage, the organiza- Connecticut Worcester: Assumption College, Holy Cross College tion was forced to decline because it is Fairfield: Fairfield University, Sacred Heart Pennsylvania Erie: Mercyhurst College unable to be a part of a program that Univ.ersity Missouri New Haven: Albertus Magnus College St. Louis: Saint Louis University Philadelphia: Chestnut Hill College, LaSalle presents homosexuality in a way that is West Hartford: Saint Joseph College University, Saint Joseph’s University contrary to Church teaching and to its Minnesota Villanova: Villanova University ministry. District of Columbia Collegeville: Saint John’s University Courage noted that this was evident Georgetown University Saint Joseph: College of Saint Benedict Rhode Island from the presence of Dignity, a group St. Paul: St Thomas Univeristy, College of St. Catherine Newport: Salve Regina University condemned by the Church because its Florida Winona: Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota mission, according to its Web site, is Miami Gardens: Saint Thomas University Texas to advocate for change in the Catholic Miami Shores: Barry University Montana Austin: Saint Edward’s University Church’s teaching on homosexuality. Helena: Carroll College “The university is not promoting a Illinois Vermont homosexual agenda,” said Joseph Chicago: DePaul University, Loyola University, Nebraska Colchester: Saint Michael’s College Lunardi, assistant vice president for Saint Xavier College Omaha: Creighton University university communications at St. Washington Joseph’s. “We are very clear on Indiana New Hampshire Lacey: Saint Martin’s College Church teaching in this regard, and Notre Dame: Holy Cross College, Saint Mary’s Nashua: Rivier College Seattle: Seattle University those teachings are presented regu- College, University of Notre Dame Spokane: Gonzaga University larly both in and out of the classroom.” New Jersey : Lunardi also said it was unfair to take Iowa South Orange: Seton Hall Wisconsin De Pere: Saint Norbert College Rainbow Week out of context from the Dubuque: Loras College New York Madison: Edgewood College other academic and extra-curricular Kentucky Albany: College of Saint Rose Milwaukee: Alverno College, Cardinal Stritch programs held at the school during the Louisville: Spalding University Bronx: Fordham University, Manhattan College University. Marquette University rest of the year. Bishop McFadden suggested that taking a sampling of the students that attended Rainbow Week would be kicked off the week. “I agree with the ideas, so that young people can In a letter to The CS&T, one parent telling. Church, and I accept all my friends discern and learn from those points of of a homosexual student at St. “If they come away with a lack of that have alternative lifestyles, and views.” Joseph’s explained Church teaching in understanding of the Church’s teach- support their decisions and their In 1990, Pope John Paul II wrote in the following manner: “[W]e, as ing on homosexuality, then it’s St. lifestyle. I accept who they are as his Apostolic Constitution on Catholic people, need to be compas- Joseph’s responsibility to look at their individuals and what they do.” Catholic Universities, Ex Corde sionate enough toward those with work,” he said. Junior Laura Burke said that her Ecclesiae, “a Catholic University is same-sex attraction to encourage them The CS&T interviewed students who understanding after the events of completely dedicated to the research to seek help. The good Lord did not had attended Rainbow Week and Rainbow Week was “[y]ou don’t of all aspects of truth in their essential embrace the homosexual act. He found that many came away with a necessarily live that lifestyle, but that connection with the supreme Truth, embraced the individuals, and directed misunderstanding, or incomplete it is okay.” who is God.” them toward a chaste lifestyle. This is : understanding, of the Church’s St. Joseph’s has made a commitment Bishop McFadden observed: “The Catholic teaching. It needs to be teaching on homosexuality. to work toward an inclusive curricu- mission of St. Joseph’s as a Catholic taught at all levels. “[M]ost people, like on a Catholic lum and campus events by “promot- institution is to teach the truth, and “As I have told my child, ‘You have campus, wouldn’t expect the Church or ing awareness of and sensitivity to present Catholic moral teachings a cross to carry. It is your participation the priests to be so open and human differences,” in compliance clearly in light of the teachings of the in the act of redemption. Your family accept[ing] of that type of lifestyle, with a diversity statement the univer- Church. The purpose is to dialogue will help you carry this cross.’ How- especially at the Masses,” said sity signed in March 1998. Lunardi but to proclaim the truth. We can’t ever, when others are condoning and sophomore Joe Franco, after attending said that the university’s purpose is give the impression that there are encouraging homosexuality, the pleas the Oct. 10 Rainbow Mass, which to “teach and promote a wide range of multiple truths.” of parents are ignored.” Page 4 BONDINGS Volume 25, No. 3 Book Reviews The Friend Examines History of Same-Sex Unions The Friend (2003) by Alan Bray dum, the Latin Rite for Making Brothers, marriage” with Ann Walker during the offices and university archives rather University of Chicago Press, 380 pp., $40 which had been reported by a Croatian Easter service of 1834 (p. 241). Inciden- than in cathedral transepts and county Reviewed by Rev. Paul K. Thomas Catholic scholar, O. Antonin Zaninovic, tally, some of these important lesbian chapels. as early as 1971 in an article entitled Dva records were properly edited by Helena Bray himself does consider some Alan Bray, an English Catholic histo- Latinska Spomenika. Bray also had the Whitbread only in 1992 and by Jill already well-known English homosexual rian, completed The Friend shortly advantage of another study about Liddington in 1998; the manuscripts unions, including those of King Edward before his approaching death in 2001. fraternal bonds contracted in the Latin themselves were catalogued by II with Piers Gaveston and King James I John Boswell, an American Catholic West, namely, Piers Gaveston: Edward Rosalind with George Villiers. However, the author historian, published Same-Sex Unions in II’s Adoptive Brother, published by Pierre Westwood takes pains to place their personal Premodern Europe just weeks before his Chaplais in the same year as Boswell’s and others as commitment to each other within the own death in 1994. Although both own book (cf. Bray, p. 317). Both works recently as context of public religious ceremonies. books are based upon extensive meticu- in turn influenced a subsequent sympo- 1997 (cf. Bray, Edward and Gaveston renewed their lous research and seemingly impeccable sium on ritual brotherhood in the 1997 p. 319). “covenant of brotherhood” (p. 27) by scholarship, perhaps they might have edition of the scholarly journal Traditio Throughout making oaths “upon the cross…and avoided some criticism and controversy (cf. Bray, p. 84). his treatise upon God’s body [the Eucharist]…” (p. if written under less stringent deadlines According to Bray (p. 25), “in the Bray relies 28), noted in the official royal Close than onrushing mortality. churches of Catholic Europe, from at upon a Rolls. James, as a “deere daide & Boswell had demonstrated that the least the end of the 12th century until the Rev. Paul K. Thomas husbande,” wrote to Villiers, as his Catholic Church, during formal marriage- beginning of the 15th, the Mass provided considerable body of “less official” “sweete chylde & wyfe,” that they like ceremonies, once blessed same- a familiar culmination for the creation of documentation (p. 5), such as memorial “maye mak at this christen-masse a new gender relationships, but he relied ritual ‘brothers’.” However, although plaques and burial places, shared by marriage” (p. 96), that is, he hoped to primarily upon documents from the Bray supplies the Latin text and an two persons of the same gender in their “seal their friendship and its fidelity by Eastern rite tradition. Bray indicates that English translation of the Ordo ad parish churches, often with images of receiving the Holy Communion…at similar services for “making brothers or Fratres Faciendum (pp. 130-133), he the couples kissing or holding hands. Christmas together, before the eyes of sisters” existed in the Latin Church, as does not restrict his considerations to One Latin inscription, illustrated on the all” (p. 97). confirmations of “sworn friendship,” such a specific ceremonial procedure. He book’s dust jacket, beautifully but In the book Bray examines many less although he limits his discussion examines multiple types of English same- simply proclaims, “In life united, in prominent same-sex partnerships, from generally to the British Isles. In a sense gender friendships, from 1000 to 1900, death not divided” (pp. 234-235), John Finch and Thomas Baines (p. 1) to Bray begins where Boswell left off, but when undertaken or approved in a describing an avowed relationship William Neville and John Clanvowe (p. his work also grows out of research for religious context, even during Anglican created beyond the standard conjugal 18) and to Herbert Croft and George his much earlier book Homosexuality in services after the Reformation. family. Other scholars have generally Benson (p. 235), also from Ann Chitting Renaissance England (1982). For example, Bray utilizes extensive tended to neglect such funereal sources, and Mary Barber (p. 85) to Catherine Somewhat surprisingly, as Bray points excerpts from the multi-volume diaries perhaps because they succumb to the continued on page 5 out (pp. 8, 126, 317), Boswell himself was and letters of Anne Lister, who entered “temptation of looking only where the unaware of the Ordo ad Fratres Facien- into a union in her words “as good as a light is brightest” (p. 314) in record “Sex Camp” Gives Fun, New Perspective To Public Debate On “Moral Values”

By Ron Robin Church-owned retreat facility in upstate characters, all based on the stories of real New York. Led by a Baptist theologian life participants, identify for themselves “…searing honesty…for those among us and sexologist, and five others consid- and the others the five events in their who are courageous and radically ered to be among the best sexuality lives that have most impacted their open.” ---Bishop John Shelby Spong educators in the country, the workshop is sexuality. affectionately called “Sex Camp” by Brian McNaught, a staff member at “Sex In his cutting-edge new book “Sex participants and staff alike. This exciting Camp” and the author of this highly- Camp,” Brian McNaught brings together program is the setting for a fun, moving, anticipated book, is a certified sexuality a delightful assortment of strangers who informative, honest, and topical book educator who has spent thirty years struggle with their feelings and values, about sexual values, body image, sexual educating the public about gay and and at times with each other, during a orientation, gender identity, intimacy, transgender issues. He works in both legendary, intensive, weeklong work- abuse, lifestyles, aging, disability, and corporations and universities as a trainer “the courageous and radically open.” He shop on sexuality. Promised that in sexual decision-making. and has written four previous books on says McNaught “ventures into places seven days they would know more about A nun, an “ex-gay” man, and a cross- homosexuality, including “On Being where most people fear to tread. His sex than ninety percent of the popula- dressing heterosexual church organist Gay,” “Gay Issues in the Workplace,” searing honesty combines with an overt tion, the thirty-two participants leave for arrive in Cazenovia, NY, on a hot Satur- and “Now That I’m Out, What Do I Do?” ability to pose issues about human home at the end of the week with a lot day in July and there meet a “queer” He’s also been featured in five educa- sexuality that desperately need to be more than they planned on taking. activist, a homophobic Planned Parent- tional videos, three of which have aired faced.” “Sex Camp” is a lighthearted fictional hood educator, a hunky straight man in a regularly on PBS affiliates. The New York “Sex Camp” is published by Author story based on the very real Annual wheelchair, two football coaches, and a Times referred to McNaught as “the House and can be purchased on line at Workshop on Sexuality, the nationally- half a dozen ministers, among others. In godfather of gay sensitivity training.” www.authorhouse.com, and at all renowned training that has been held for the next few days, under the watchful Episcopal Bishop and author John bookstores and Internet bookselling nearly thirty years at an Episcopal guidance of the staff, these fictionalized Shelby Spong commends this book to sites. Page 10 BONDINGS Volume 25, No. 3 Truth behind Rainbow Week

By Nadio Puzo reporter John Ogden, who spoke Schneider called attention to the civil unions or domestic partnerships? The Catholic Standard and Times about his own coming-out as an “Love Makes a Famly” photo exhibit, “In the exercise of its role as the Philadelphia, PA active homosexual during the Oct. which celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual official teaching authority of the November 4, 2004 11 “National Coming Out Day.” and transgender couples and their Roman Catholic community of faith, Ogden spoke about the events families, as examples of those who want the hierarchy or the Magisterium, the PHILADELPHIA – Outraged parents, that prompted him to come out, legalized gay marriage. bishops are said to be gifted with the students and alumni have innundated St. saying that he received praise from However, the most telling presenta- assistance of the Holy Spirit, but as Joseph’s University with e-mails and fans for doing so. He spoke about tion was Father Genovesi’s “religious the late Richard McCormick, a well- calls protesting its celebration of his responsibility as a openly gay perspective” on gay marriage. Father noted Catholic moral theologian, has Rainbow Week, which they say is role model, and gave advice about Genovesi also directs the Pre-Cana said, ‘If the Holy Spirit is assisting the nothing more than a way to promote gay advancing a career in broadcast programs on campus. Magisterium, you should expect this rights. journalism. The Jesuit priest spent the first half of assistance to show up in the quality of Sponsored by the St. Joseph’s Alliance Prompted by a question from the his presentation speaking about the the arguments.’ For too many people, — formerly known as the Committee for audience, Ogden also stated he was Catholic Church’s teachings on Chris- including Catholics, it seems that the Sexuality and Sexual Minorities — and not a practicing Catholic because tian marriage, and the case against arguments so far presented by the by six other university departments, “I’m a gay man, and I do act on my same-sex unions. The second half of his Church on this question of legal Rainbow Week was conceived as an homosexuality, and that’s not talk was dedicated to Catholic theolo- recognition of same-sex unions remain effort to “promote dialogue and toler- kosher in the Catholic Church.” gians who question Church teachings unconvincing.” ance around issues of human sexuality.” Although, he believes in God and in this area. After reading a transcript of Father Similar events take place at various other Genovesi’s talk, Bishop McFadden Catholic colleges in the Archdiocese. pointed out the essential problem: Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, who “[W]hile it’s true he [Father recently took on responsibility for the Genovesi] presented the Church’s Secretariat of Catholic Education, said, teaching on human sexuality, he gives “There’s a fine line between recognizing equal weight in his presentation to diversity and promoting a lifestyle. Being theologians who are in opposition to a homosexual is not sinful. Acting on the the Magisterium’s teaching — as homosexual lifestyle is — as is all sex though they were of equal value. And outside the bond of marriage, which is he does nothing to point out the defined as a union between one man and fallacies in their arguments, but one woman.” continues to give the impression that Bishop McFadden, a St. Joseph’s these teachings are open to change.” alumnus, added: “While the Church asks The Bishop suggests that: “St. that we recognize the unique dignity of Joseph’s might consider that perhaps every human person, it does not mean their program is not accomplishing the supporting a lifestyle that is contrary to goal of teaching Catholic truth, but is the natural law.” really focused on advancing a lifestyle Catholic attorney David Ermine wrote that is contrary to Catholic teaching. to the university in an e-mail, pointing ... [W]e might ask why their program is out that there is a difference between top-heavy with speakers and groups accepting homosexuals as people and that are bent on challenging the celebrating what has been described as Church’s teachings, while there seems the “homosexual lifestyle.” to be an absence of speakers and “Tolerance and compassion do not call Saint Joseph’s University groups that are in line with Church for celebration .... It is the direct opposite prays, Ogden said he’s not inter- He concluded his presentation with teachings?” of compassion to encourage souls to ested in the Church until it changes, these remarks: In the question-and-answer session persist in what is harmful to them. That or until he finds a church that is “Clearly, the Roman Catholic Church after his talk, Father Genovesi made it is not love, but an abdication of respon- gay-friendly. will not recognize same-sex unions as clear that he disagreed with the sibility,” Ermine said. A panel discussion, “Perspectives valid or sacramental marriages, but the Church’s teaching on same-sex “It is also blatant hypocrisy to give lip- on Gay Marriage: Personal, Political Catholic Church also knows that civil unions, stating, “They say this is service to the Church’s teachings while and Religious,” included Kevin society does not share her views on doing violence to children because it’s setting a contrary example,” he said. Vaughan, a practicing homosexual some of the essentials of a valid depriving them of an experience of “Should I look forward to ‘adultery in a long-term monogamous Christian marriage. either motherhood or fatherhood, and week’ celebrating the special needs and relationship; Cynthia Schneider, the “Civil society, for example, has no that this will be putting them into a talents of the unfaithful?” legal director of the Center for insistence and makes no demands on situation in which they will not have In an official statement by St. Joseph’s Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights; and openness to children or the permanence the best option for full human devel- University, the school defends its Jesuit priest Vincent Genovesi, a St. of marriage. Thus, many marriages that opment. Well, I don’t know what position, saying that Rainbow Week is a Joseph’s professor of theology. the Roman Catholic Church would studies prove this today.” way of supporting “diversity in all forms Vaughan said today’s civil rights regard as invalid are recognized as Father Jim Levy, CSP, is a psycholo- as a means of educating students about causes are those of lesbian, gay, perfectly valid in civil society. gist, professor of human sexuality and basic human differences.” The Univer- bisexual and transgender individu- “Given the notable gap that already acting director of Courage, a Catholic sity denies promoting a homosexual als — including gay marriage. exists in the Roman Catholic Church outreach to homosexuals that is agenda or condoning a specific behavior. “Homosexuality has gone from and civil society regarding marriage, sanctioned as part of the Family Life The CS&T attended this year’s event, the ‘love that no one dare speak why does the Church oppose any legal Office in Philadelphia and endorsed by including the presentation, “Out and on about’ to the ‘love that can’t shut recognition to same-sex unions, the Pontifical Council for the Family. the Air” with NBC-10 traffic news up and shouldn’t,’” he said. whether they be called marriages or continued on page 11 Page 12 BONDINGS Volume 25, No. 3 Catholic students in pro-gay protest Administration opposes gay group seeking campus recognition By Mike Lavers were “contrary to Church teachings on human sexual- versy surrounding TRUTH have caused strong and New York Blade ity.” heated reaction on both sides. November 19, 2004 Romeo rejected this plan. He maintained that TRUTH In a letter to the Seton Hall student newspaper, The planned to support Seton Hall’s Roman Catholic beliefs. Setonian, on Oct. 11, Italian professor Claudine Metallo Students at a Roman Catholic university in New Jersey Romeo also said that the group would “teach that sexual blasted TRUTH members. “These individuals have no are clashing with the school’s administration over the right orientation does not equal sexual identity.” He further right to defile church property,” she wrote. “Nor do they of a proposed gay student group to be recognized as a argued that the “Memorandum of Understanding” have the right to impose their will on this Catholic legitimate campus organization. would have relegated gay students such as himself to institution.” She went on to say homosexuality is a “grave Several students at Seton Hall University in South second class status. sin,” according to church doctrine. Orange are criticizing the university after officials washed “There are some things I won’t sacrifice, and my Newark Archbishop John J. Myers has spoken in favor away pro-gay messages from campus walkways. Members dignity is one of them,” Romeo said. “We are asking for of Metallo’s statements. In a letter, he said that the church of the group Trust, Respect and Unity at the Hall, or the same rights and privileges afforded to every other needs to “make it clear that we do not support any TRUTH, scrawled the messages at various points around campus group.” organization or persons that oppose that identity,” the campus to commemorate National Coming Out Day on Seton Hall has adopted a non-discrimination policy, referring to Catholic doctrine. Oct. 11. but it does not include sexual orientation as a protected Some students, including Stephen Chase Pepper, said Seton Hall administrators maintain that the decision to category. However, the university said it would “sup- they would support a gay student organization such as wash the messages away was a mistake. TRUST members port” and “implement” all state and federal anti- TRUTH under certain circumstances. In an Oct. 11 letter are not buying their explanation. discrimination law. to the Setonian, he maintained that such a group should Member David Jacques maintains that the university’s The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination includes be allowed to exist, if it chooses not to stand in the way of actions amount to further discrimination against gay sexual orientation but makes exemptions for religious traditional Roman Catholic doctrine. students. “We followed campus guidelines,” Jacques said. institutions such as Seton Hall. Romeo’s attorney, “We are called to be tolerant of the person but not his “The following morning we were surprised to find that Thomas Shanahan, maintains that Seton Hall has waived action when we know it to be immoral,” Pepper wrote. groundskeepers were out there with buckets and hoses. this exemption. “This is the truth denied.” This is kind of strange because chalkings happen once a “They can’t pick and choose when they are going to Georgetown’s possible precedent week and are never washed away.” protect students,” he said in a phone interview. Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C., had The Student Government Association, a campus Ed Barukous, legal director of the American Civil previously settled a lawsuit with the Gay People of advisory group, passed a formal resolution on Oct. 11, in Liberties Union of New Jersey, agreed. While not Georgetown University, which sued over the university’s which it advocated TRUTH’s right to scrawl pro-gay commenting on the specifics of the lawsuit, Barukous refusal to recognize the organization. messages on campus sidewalks. said there is a possibility that Seton Hall is violating The Catholic university, as part of a settlement, agreed “National Coming Out Day has been a time for individu- both New Jersey’s state law as well as federal anti- to grant GPGU access to the same benefits as other als all over the country to recognize and appreciate their discrimination laws. organizations, including use of university facilities. The differences,” according to the resolution. “As leaders Seton Hall is named after Mother Elizabeth Seton, the court ruled that the university did not have to recognize elected to represent the general student body, including aunt of the school’s founder and the first American-born the group formally, however. those who are gay, we are more than disturbed about the saint. This, he argued, could have an impact on the Georgetown did adapt a formal Access to Benefits actions taken by the university.” amount of money the university receives from the state. Policy that allowed all groups and to have similar access. The university did not return repeated requests for “The question is whether the denial of a group status is The program is admnistered at the Jesuit school by a comment. However, the administration’s decision to discriminatory,” Barukous said. student advisory board. To be eligible, groups needs only remove the messages comes on the heels of a potentially The lawsuit is currently pending before an appellate have at least 12 members, not duplicate an existing group damaging lawsuit filed by TRUTH founder Anthony court. Meanwhile, the lawsuit and the ongoing contro- and comply with university policy. Romeo. Romeo, a gay sociology student from Upstate New York, filed the lawsuit in March after Seton Hall administrators refused to grant official recognition to Bartending and the priesthood TRUTH. Romeo petitioned the university to recognize TRUTH By Christian Eichenlaub education all of my life, I have seen the power and formally in Nov. 2003. The proposal, submitted to the The Advocate grace of the living church, gifts that I know are Student Organization Activities Committee, defined the September 22, 2004 bestowed to us all. I feel called to spread the truth group and its purpose. The SOAC recommended that the that I know and to share the ways in which the administration grant TRUTH official recognition. LOS ANGELES – While I was bartending one church has reached into my life and helped my “Sexual orientation” at issue evening, a friend of mine joked about how ridiculous family and me: through community, education, and Laura Wankel, vice-president of student affairs, in a it now seemed that we had met a year earlier at a spiritual guidance. letter dated Dec. 18, 2003, denied Romeo’s request. In her college gathering for those who were considering the Many people ask, “Why would you consider a letter, Wankel said that Seton Hall would not recognize an priesthood. I glanced up from pouring his vodka and career in an institution that discriminates against organization that bases itself “solely on sexual orienta- tonic long enough to say, “I still am.” The surprise gay people?” But we see thousands of gays and tion.” that touched his face spoke a thousand words. lesbians serve the U.S. government faithfully even She also referred to the Roman Catholic Church’s Why should it be so shocking that I, a bartender at though there are antigay laws in that establishment. doctrine on homosexuality to support her decision. “The a gay bar, leader of a gay-straight alliance, also Oftentimes change does happen from within. Church teaches that an exclusive focus on a person’s consider a spiritual vocation, even one in the I accept my relationship with the Catholic Church sexual orientation denies the fullness of human dignity Catholic Church? in the way we must accept all relationships: with its and diminishes persons in a way that is both reductionist Now a senior at Marquette University in Milwau- beauty, its flaws, its strengths, and its weaknesses, and marginalizing,” Wankel wrote. kee, I have been considering the priesthood for but above all for the love it can shine into the lives Wankel then offered Romeo a “Memorandum of about two years. Marquette, while Catholic, is also of gay and straight people alike. Yes, changes are Understanding.” This compromise would have allowed Jesuit, a sect of the church that has long been needed in the church, but it is also time for gays and TRUTH to sponsor educational events and participate in considered a liberal bastion of the faith. This fall I lesbians to accept religion, flawed as it may be, back community service projects. The university, under this will be filling out applications for both law schools into their lives. plan, would not allow TRUTH to sponsor activities that and seminaries. After being in and out of Catholic