A New Archbishop for San Francisco Tolerant Statements Toward Gays/Homosexuals Can Minister As Priests, Niederauer Says

Volume 26, Number 3 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Winter 2005–Spring 2006 A New Archbishop for San Francisco Tolerant statements toward gays/Homosexuals can minister as priests, Niederauer says

By Wyatt Buchanan “I don’t think there are any ifs, ands or San Francisco Chronicle buts that the Vatican is trying to blame the sex December 16, 2005 abuse crisis on gay priests, and this man says that is ‘seriously mistaken,’ “ said Sam Sinnett, San Francisco’s incoming Catholic arch- national president of DignityUSA, an organi- bishop, George Niederauer, has spoken boldly zation in Washington, D.C., of gay and lesbian in support of gay priests and has praised gay Catholics. parishioners, leaders of gay Catholic organiza- “Very few bishops have come out and tions said Thursday. said clearly that this is not about sexual ori- Many in the church hierarchy have blamed entation,” Sinnett said. He added that, if the the international clergy sex abuse scandal on statements reflected the bishop’s thinking, gay priests, and the Vatican’s recent instruc- his appointment in San Francisco would be tion on gays in the priesthood stated new rules “more than a small step forward for gay and on gay clergy were “made more urgent by lesbian Catholics.” the current situation.” As archbishop, Niederauer will have a cen- Niederauer disputed those ideas in an inter- tral role in determining who is ordained in San view with his diocesan newspaper in Utah. Francisco, Marin and San Mateo, the counties “Some who are seriously mistaken have included in the San Francisco diocese. named sexual orientation as the cause of the In 10 years as bishop of the Diocese of recent scandal regarding the sexual abuse Salt Lake City, Niederauer rarely had to of minors by priests,” Niederauer said in the address gay and lesbian issues in the church. Archbishop George Niederauer (center) interview with the Intermountain Catholic DignityUSA, which has chapters in 24 states, News, which was published Monday. isn’t active in Utah. of Utah clergy who urged tolerance for gays I met,” Niederauer said. He added, “They were His reference to “sexual orientation” stands In 2004, however, Niederauer publicly and lesbians after the state legislature in 1996 as wonderful and gifted and generous and in contrast to the Vatican instruction’s descrip- opposed a constitutional ban on same-sex mar- banned gay student clubs when students compassionate as any you meet.” tion of “persons with deep-seated homosexual riage that appeared on the Utah state ballot, at one school expressed interest in starting Francis DeBernardo, who leads New Ways tendencies.” even though he opposed same-sex marriage. such a club. Ministry, a national advocacy group for gay and Niederauer said gay men committed to Many Protestant leaders and the powerful Before he was assigned to Utah, Niederauer lesbian Catholics, and met with Niederauer in Christ and the church can effectively minister Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spent his career in Southern California, Salt Lake City, said the bishop was genuinely as priests, and he said sexual orientation was supported the ban. But Niederauer said he including a stint at a parish in West Holly- interested in reaching out to the gay and les- “a structure of human personality.” In con- was troubled that the amendment banned any wood, which has a large gay population. In bian community. trast, the Vatican instruction states that men union beside marriage. He also saw the ban a 2003 interview with the (Salt Lake City) “With his pastoral experience in an over- “who practice homosexuality, present deep- as unnecessary because same-sex marriages Deseret News about his work in West whelmingly gay Catholic parish in West seated homosexual tendencies or support the already were prohibited by Utah law. Hollywood, he was enthusiastic. Hollywood, and his political experience deal- so-called ‘gay culture’ “ are unfit for priest- Niederauer also helped form the “Coalition “I don’t have to take a back seat to anyone ing with extremism from anti-gay forces in hood. of Concerned Religious Leaders,” a group in the church in my admiration for the people Utah, I think that Bishop Niederauer is one of the best candidates to lead the heavily gay-pop- ulated Catholic community of San Francisco,” DeBernardo said. In Strong Terms, Rome Is to Ban Gays Niederauer’s predecessor, Archbishop William Levada, received mixed reviews from gay and lesbian Catholics. Levada spoke sev- as Priests eral times at the Most Holy Redeemer Church, a largely gay parish in San Francisco’s Castro By Ian Fisher and Laurie Goodstein Catholic Web site, AdistaOnline.it. is an appropriate response to the recent sex neighborhood, and appointed gays and lesbi- The New York Times The document appears to allow ordination scandals and whether celibate gay men can still ans to important positions in the diocese. November 23, 2005 only for candidates who experienced “transi- be good priests. But on Levada’s watch, the diocese stopped tory” homosexual tendencies that were “clearly On both sides of that divide, there was its ministry specifically for gay and lesbian ROME, Nov. 22 - A new Vatican document overcome” at least three years before ordina- general agreement on Tuesday night that the Catholics and left that work to local parishes, excludes from the priesthood most gay men, tion as a deacon, the last step before priest- document presented a strong deterrent to said the Rev. Jim Schexnayder, who founded with few exceptions, banning in strong and hood. It does not define “overcome.” Several homosexual men, but with some limited room the Berkeley-based National Association of specific language candidates “who are actively critics worried that that language would make for seminaries to make exceptions. Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries. homosexual, have deep-seated homosexual it nearly impossible for men who believe their The document puts the onus on bishops, Schexnayder said he hoped Niederauer would tendencies, or support the so-called ‘gay cul- basic orientation is gay – but who are celibate seminary directors and the spiritual advisers revive that ministry. ture.’ “ – to become priests. “to evaluate all of the qualities of the personal- “There’s a great need obviously in San The long-awaited document, which has The anticipation of the document has divid- ity and assure that the candidate does not have Francisco, with so many gay and lesbian leaked out in sections over the last few months, ed Catholics, especially in the United States, sexual disorders that are incompatible with Catholics who would greatly benefit from a was published Tuesday in Italian by an Italian igniting contentious debate over whether this priesthood.” public pastoral outreach,” Schexnayder said.  Continued on page Page BONDINGS Volume 26 Number 3 Gay-Friendly Catholic Colleges Universitas Volume 26, No. 3 Winter 2005–Spring 2006 Below is a partial list of known “gay-friendly” Catholic colleges and universities, that is, those Catholic colleges that have some type of gay and lesbian student group, support group, ally group, etc. Thank you Francis DeBernardo, Editor for helping us add to this growing list! If you are aware of such a college that is known as welcoming to Marillyn Langfeld, Design 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 and staff. Board of Directors California Indiana Winona: Saint Mary’s Pennsylvania Mary Byers Belmont: Notre Dame de Notre Dame: Holy Cross University of Minnesota Erie: Mercyhurst College Frank O’Donnell, SM Namur University College, Saint Mary’s Montana Philadelphia: Chestnut Hill Rev. Paul Thomas Los Angeles: Loyola College, University of Notre College, LaSalle University, Helena: Carroll College Marymount University Dame Saint Joseph’s University Moraga: Saint Mary’s College Nebraska Villanova: Villanova Board of Advisors Iowa Ranchos Palos Verde: Omaha: Creighton University University Marymount College Dubuque: Loras College Mary Ann Coyle, SL Rhode Island William Hunt, SFO San Diego: University of San New Hampshire Kentucky Newport: Salve Regina Patricia McDermott, RSM Diego Nashua: Rivier College San Francisco: University of Louisville: Spalding University Barbara Regan, rc University New Jersey San Francisco Texas Santa Clara: Santa Clara Louisiana South Orange: Seton Hall University Austin: Saint Edward’s Executive Director New Orleans: Loyola New York University Colorado University New Orleans Albany: College of Saint Rose Francis DeBernardo Vermont Denver: Regis University Maryland Bronx: Fordham University, Manhattan College Colchester: Saint Michael’s Baltimore: College of Notre Co-Founders Connecticut Buffalo: Canisius College College Dame of Maryland, Loyola Fairfield: Fairfield University, New Rochelle: College of New Sister Jeannine Gramick College of Maryland Washington Sacred Heart Univ.ersity Rochelle, Iona College Father Robert Nugent Lacey: Saint Martin’s College New Haven: Albertus Massachusetts Poughkeepsie: Marist College Magnus College Seattle: Seattle University Boston: Emmanuel College Riverdale: College of Mount Bondings is a seasonal publication designed to keep West Hartford: Saint Joseph Spokane: Gonzaga University Chestnut Hill: Boston College Saint Vincent our subscribers informed of issues that pertain to lesbian College Easton: Stonehill College Rochester: Nazareth College Wisconsin and gay people and the Catholic Church. North Andover: Merrimack of Rochester De Pere: Saint Norbert Founded in 1977, New Ways Ministry is an educa- District of Columbia Syracuse: LeMoyne College Georgetown University College College tional and bridge-building ministry of reconciliation Weston: Regis College Tarrytown: Marymount Madison: Edgewood College between the Catholic gay and lesbian community and Florida Worcester: Assumption College Milwaukee: Alverno College, institutional structures in the Roman Catholic Church. Miami Gardens: Saint College, Holy Cross College Ohio Cardinal Stritch University, New Ways Ministry seeks to eradicate prevalent myths Marquette University Thomas University Missouri Cincinnati: Xavier University, and stereotypes about homosexuality and supports civil Miami Shores: Barry Univ. of Cincinnati rights for lesbian and gay persons in society. University St. Louis: Saint Louis University Dayton: University of Dayton Illinois For more information, contact: Minnesota Oregon Chicago: DePaul University, New Ways Ministry, 4012 29th St., Portland: University of Loyola University, Saint Collegeville: Saint John’s Mt. Rainier, MD 20712 Portland Xavier College University (301) 277-5674 Saint Joseph: College of Saint E-mail: [email protected] Benedict Web: www.newwaysministry.org St. Paul: St Thomas Univeristy

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Please add my name to your Bondings mailing list. place for gays Enclosed is: $15.00 in the U.S. or Canada. By Lisa Leff ty and administrators who deal with gay subject matter or stu- $20.00 outside the U.S. or Canada. Associated Press dents. Topics included “Curriculum and Same-Sex Marriage in I wish to receive Bondings but cannot donate at this time. October 29, 2005 a Jesuit University” and “Can I Be Gay and Catholic?” An extra contribution for those unable to donate. The continuing tension was demonstrated into the oft- SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—More than 40 Catholic colleges repeated anecdote that Notre Dame University has had an Name ______were represented on Saturday at a conference that was billed as active gay and lesbian student group for years, but the college Address______the nation’s first on how gays and lesbians fit in at universities does not recognize or provide financial support to the organi- City______guided by a faith that says their sexual orientation is wrong. zation. State______Zip______But rather than lamenting the Catholic Church’s stand on One sign of how far the universities have come in openly Home Phone______Work Phone______homosexuality, the two-day “Out There” conference at Santa addressing gay issues is that the dean’s office and campus min- Email Address______Clara University showed that plenty of gay-related scholarship istry at Jesuit-run Santa Clara provided money for the event, and student affairs planning is going on in Catholic higher while the school’s president sent a welcome letter to partici- Please make check payable to “New Ways Ministry.” education, said co-organizer Linda Garber. pants, said Lisa Millora, assistant dean for student life. “It’s important and interesting to know there are Catholic “There are a lot of people who subscribe to Catholic values For non-U.S. subscriptions, please use only checks drawn universities that have offices and staff people specifically geared as they relate to academic work, but don’t necessarily agree with on a U.S. Bank in U.S. dollars. toward LGBT concerns,” said Garber, director of the women’s how the Catholic Church carries out its work,” Millora said. Mail to: New Ways Ministry, 4012 29th Street, and gender studies program at Santa Clara. “There are a lot of Among the universities represented at the conference were Mt. Rainier, Maryland 20712 people out there who are teaching (LGBT) studies without a Georgetown, Loyola Marymount, Gonzaga, Fordham, DePaul, national professional organization, a newsletter or anything.” Boston College, College of the Holy Cross, La Salle, Marquette The conference drew about 150 people, most of them facul- and Emory.  Winter 2005–Spring 2006 BONDINGS Page Vatican to Survey Seminaries for Homosexuality

By Caryle Murphy A copy of the document was obtained “I think there are some unique challenges he added, means “making a lifelong commit- The Washington Post by The Washington Post from a priest. The for individuals with homosexual inclina- ment to celibacy.” September 16, 2005 instructions were reported in yesterday’s New tions, and I think the church needs to face The emphasis on homosexuality drew York Times. that,” Rossetti said. At the same time, he fire from the Catholic gay community. “The The Vatican has ordered an inspection The mandate to look for “evidence of homo- added, the inspection should make clear that investigation of U.S. seminaries for ‘evi- of Roman Catholic seminaries in the United sexuality” reflects a concern among some the standard for all seminarians is “chaste dence of homosexuality’ continues the pat- States to look for “evidence of homosexual- church officials and members that Catholic living.” tern of smoke-screening that Church leaders ity” and for faculty members who dissent from seminaries have become too tolerant of a gay Archbishop Edwin O’Brien, who will have employed since the clergy child abuse church teachings, according to a document lifestyle. It also reflects the contention by some oversee the seminary review, recently told crisis began,” said a statement by Francis containing guidelines for the year-long review. Catholics that the pedophilia scandal grew the National Catholic Register that “anyone DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways The inspections of more than 220 seminar- out of lax moral discipline and the presence who has engaged in homosexual activity, or Ministry in Mount Rainier, Md., a group ies and theological schools, set to begin later of gay men among the clergy. Other Catholics has strong homosexual inclinations” should advocating for justice and reconciliation for this month, was authorized in the wake of the dispute that view, saying there is no evidence not be accepted into seminaries, even if their gay Catholics. church’s child-molestation scandal. It will be that homosexuality leads to sexual abuse of last gay sexual activity was a decade ago. The “Why not look instead for evidence of carried out by a committee of 117 bishops and children. Washington-based O’Brien, who heads the cowardice, secrecy, and dishonesty—the priests, who will break into small teams to visit The review begins as Catholics await a new Archdiocese for Military Services USA, also traits displayed by so many bishops which each seminary for at least four days. Vatican directive on whether gays should be said that the Vatican would be “coming out magnified the crisis into a public scandal?” The Vatican’s instructions are in an 11-page admitted to the priesthood. with a document about this,” referring to the DeBernardo said. document detailing how the visits should be Some church scholars fear that directive directive. Mark Serrano, regional representative conducted. All faculty, students and graduates may ban gay men from seminaries; others say O’Brien was unavailable for comment of Survivors Network of Those Abused by from the past three years are to be interviewed. a ban is unlikely but the directive may make it yesterday. Priests, a victims advocacy group, echoed Areas to be examined include whether “there harder for gays to enter the priesthood. The Rev. Frank Maniscalco, spokesman the criticism. is a clear process for removing” dissident fac- “I think it’s certainly going to raise the bar” for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, “This is part of the long-term campaign ulty; if seminarians “know how to use alcohol, for seminary entrance, said the Rev. Stephen J. said the inspection guidelines are saying only on the part of the bishops to distract from the Internet, television, etc. with prudence and Rossetti, a priest and psychologist who heads that “seminaries should train priests for the the truth: that the bishops themselves are moderation,” and how students’ “behavior St. Luke Institute in Silver Spring, a facility that job which the men want to take on, which responsible for the devastation of thousands outside the seminary” is monitored. treats psychologically troubled clergy. is priests of the Catholic Church.” And that, of lives through their negligence,” he said.  From the Desk of Father Brian By Rev. Brian Lang brushed aside. His contention that it is hard- be isolated or alone. Homosexuals are no it must realize that the saying applies to the Parish Bulletin, St. Joseph’s Church on the Hill, er for a homosexual to remain celibate than different in this than heterosexuals; in the Church too. The responsibility for the crisis Camillus, New York a heterosexual simply has no psychological words of St. Thomas human beings are made cannot be swept under the rug or shifted to a September 18, 2005 or sociological proof. His implied sugges- to love. However, since the language of the “homosexual subculture” whether one exists tion that somehow homosexuals are more Church recognizes that homosexuality itself or not. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you dangerous or predatory than heterosexuals is “intrinsically disordered,” this must mean I am not a major advocate of gay rights. hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of the cup is simply false. In many ways it appears that that they are unsuitable for the priesthood. However, I cannot stand by and watch the and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and the Archbishop and others in the Hierarchy Well, we are all intrinsically disordered; we Church use homosexuals as a scapegoat for self-indulgence.” Matt. 23:25 of the Church are currently looking for a have all been touched by original sin and will a scandal that had more to do with ignorant scapegoat to lay the blame of the child abuse never be fully whole until we achieve perfect or arrogant prelates. The hierarchy of the Over the course of the next year, 117 bish- scandal on. union with Christ. Church was fully informed to the depth and ops and seminary staff will visit all facilities It is estimated that anywhere from 15 If the Church pursues its present course nature of this scandal almost 20 years ago. In in the United States that take part in the to 45 percent of ordained Roman clergy in in this matter how far can we, should we take the early 90’s they had to deal with this scan- training of Roman Catholic seminarians. the United States are homosexuals. The vast it? Should we ban any individual that may dal and the National Bishops Conference This delegation will be lead by Archbishop majority of these men are dedicated, hard- have had a sexual relationship in their life? assured people that it was taken care of. No Edwin O’Brien. Archbishop O’Brien is working individuals who have given their Archbishop O’Brien has said even homo- one in a position of power in the Catholic currently the head of the Archdiocese for lives to Christ and his church. There is no sexual men who haven’t been active should Church can say that they didn’t know. After Military Services. The purpose of the these proof that their struggles with celibacy are be banned. Do we remove the men, who 1992 the people who had the priest person- visitations is to look for any possible root any more difficult than any of their brother may be homosexual, who have already been nel files did know and simply did little or causes for the scandal that has rocked the priests. Archbishop O’Brien states that there ordained? Those individuals would obvi- nothing that was effective. It appears now Church in the United States over the last four is a danger in having them in an all male ously present a threat. In one brief statement that they may have found a different way to years. Ordered by the Vatican, the review of environment where the temptation would the Archbishop has managed to insult and shift the blame; ban homosexuals and we American facilities at first looks like a good be too great for them. Using that logic, since devalue all those men in active ministry who can get back to having a safe church. If they thing. However, one has to question some most parishes have all female staffs, hetero- have been celibate and faithful to the teach- go through with this they may find that they of the motivations that lie behind the visita- sexual men would be bad candidates because ing of the Church. And if they are truly look- will lose much more than they know. tions themselves. women surround them all day. ing for the root causes of the scandal then The fact of the matter is that the child Archbishop O’Brien has recently stated Priests fall in love. It is simply a fact of perhaps they should dissect a dysfunctional sexual abuse scandal has nothing to do with that he believes that any individual with an life. I have and others have and you simply and top-heavy organization that has tried to either homosexuality in the priesthood or inclination to homosexual orientation should pray for the grace of God to know what to do. protect its reputation more than it tried to celibacy. For the Vatican or Archbishop be banned from entering the seminary. He That dilemma has lead nearly ten thousand protect its children. Not an easy reality to O’Brien, or any other person in a position has also made comments that would suggest men to leave the priesthood in the United face but one that has to be addressed. To use of authority to shift the focus to those issues that homosexuality could be directly linked States in the last forty years. The conferral any group of individuals as scapegoats, ban simply illustrates the point that they have to priest pedophiles. The Archbishop is cur- of the Sacrament of Holy Orders is not a them from the Church, and then say we are failed to grasp the issue. If we continue to rently confident that the Vatican itself is magic bullet that eliminates human emo- all better now simply won’t work. make the outside of the cup and dish look about to release a document that would ban tion or desire. If anything it should open There was an old saying in the Church; clean without truly cleansing the inside then homosexuals from the priesthood. the human heart to the deeper realities of error has no rights. Whenever the Church we have failed at a true chance at renewal There are a number of problems with the love. Celibacy is a choice made, not a mys- found itself in positions of power it has pulled and reconciliation with our people and our Archbishop’s logic that cannot simply be tical gift of the Spirit that makes it easier to this concept out to defend its position. Now God.  Page BONDINGS Volume 26 Number 3 Time for a Catholic Stonewall

By Mary E. Hunt most recent Zogby/LeMoyne poll. Another gay priests, feminism, and modernity for the to try to counteract what our religious Advocate.com poll conducted by The Boston Globe in the Vatican’s sins. authorities do.” December 6, 2005 Boston archdiocese—where the incidents The Conference of Major Superiors of He went on to confront the Vatican with of sexual abuse by priests were among the Men, the leaders of the U.S. men’s religious the teaching of U.S. bishops, which says that The Vatican has released a document worst—finds that nearly 60% of Catholics orders, recently said it would send a delega- lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender peo- banning priests “who are actively homo- oppose a ban on gay priests. Combine this tion to Rome to oppose the antigay seminary ple are “always our children.” “They say one sexual, have deep- with U.S. Catholics’ clear disregard for policy. In a welcome response to an inflex- thing, ‘In you God’s love is revealed,’ but then seated homosexual the church’s medieval views on marriage, ible Vatican regime, the superior of the New say, ‘You’re not worthy to be in the seminary.’ tendencies, or support divorce, and birth control, and increasing York Province of the Jesuits, Father Gerald J. It is a terrible cruelty and injustice.” the so-called ‘gay cul- numbers of Catholics who support abortion Chojnacki, wrote, “We know that gay men… The Women-Church Convergence, a coali- ture.’” Rome has been under certain circumstances, and it becomes have served the church well as priests—and tion of Catholic feminist groups, clarified that floating trial balloons obvious that Americans find themselves in a so why would we be asked to discriminate “all ministers, indeed all members, are called for some time about church that does not speak to their everyday based on orientation alone against those to be responsible agents of their own sexual- this document to see concerns in any meaningful way. whom God has called and invited?” ity” and pledged themselves “to create com- what level of anti- The Vatican, in its patriarchal echo cham- This is a question that could be asked munities in which all persons can love and be gay rhetoric it can Mary Hunt ber, continues to portray Western values of about women and married men as well. loved openly as is their birthright. Anything get away with. After tolerance and equality as the fallen morality Thomas Gumbleton, Detroit’s auxil- less is simply not Catholic.” months of document leaks, the Vatican had of a secular society. In so doing, the insti- iary bishop, issued this call to action in a And ultimately, as Catholics face their already made its point: Local bishops and tutional church treats millions of faithful recent sermon: “When authorities in our Stonewall moment, where the choice to sub- religious superiors will be expected to scruti- Catholics in the United States not as spiri- mit means a choice to violate one’s nize seminaries lest they become hideaways tual adults but as perpetual adolescents in “The Vatican’s latest assault on its gay conscience, this is what it comes of gay culture. At this point the actual text need of discipline. The time has come for down to: the meaning of the word of the document is irrelevant; dictatorships U.S. Catholics to claim their full baptismal congregants and priests associates catholic. Catholic means all-encom- always rely more on self-censorship through citizenship and publicly call for changes in being gay with pedophilia and insults passing, universal, comprehensive. fear and intimidation than actual punish- church policies on sexuality, ordination, and the values of American Catholics. It’s Catholic does not mean exclusion ment to accomplish their goals. relationships. Considering the enormous from the community on the basis The galling fact is that this document, economic and political influence of the U.S. time for a Stonewall-sized rebellion in of misinformed or capricious rea- while purporting to “clarify” church teach- church, if Catholics here really stood up to favor of fairness.” soning. This message of universal ing or “purify” the priesthood, is really noth- their bishops, loudly and in numbers, the inclusion was the lesson of the first ing more than an effort to link the criminal Vatican would have little choice but to listen. Stonewall. It is still being learned by activity of pedophile priests with homosexu- There is evidence that despite the dis- church say one thing and then act in a dif- society as a whole. The Gospel message of love ality and to distract from the reprehensible sembling of the hierarchy, U.S. Catholics ferent way, it seems to me that we’re called and justice is reason to hope Catholics will be behavior of bishops who covered up their are refusing to let the institution scapegoat to challenge that, to speak out if necessary quicker on the uptake.  misconduct. This is an absurd gambit on the part of the Vatican. Homosexuality has no relationship to child sexual abuse. This scandal has made transparent an untenable Continued from page 1 “kyriarchal” system—a model of church that locates power, both sacramental and tempo- In Strong Terms, Rome Is to Ban Gays as Priests ral, in the hands of a few men who literally A candidate, in turn, would have to be the number of gay men in seminaries has according to the document, would be people lord over the laity, speaking and acting in the honest about his sexuality. deterred heterosexual men from applying. who had a fleeting homosexual attraction.” name of all believers when in fact they are “It would be gravely dishonest for a candi- “I don’t think it’s anything new or differ- Francis DeBernardo, executive director but a tiny percentage of the community. date to hide his own homosexuality, regard- ent from the church’s constant teaching, but of New Ways Ministry, which advocates the It is time for a Stonewall moment. less of everything, to arrive at ordination,” it’s new in the sense that the teaching has been inclusion of gays in the Catholic Church, said, The Stonewall was a gay bar in New the document states. “Such an inauthentic widely disregarded in seminaries,” said the “It seems that its intent is really to keep homo- York City where, in 1969, patrons resisted attitude does not correspond to the spirit Rev. Joseph Fessio, editor of Ignatius Press, sexuality quiet, to silence gay priests and gay arrest during one of the police’s regular gay- of truth, loyalty and availability that must which published many of Pope Benedict XVI’s seminarians.” Such secrecy, he said, will make bashing raids. Rather than acquiesce to the characterize the personality of one who con- books before he was elected last April. it even harder to find candidates who are well harassment that kept up a neurotic minuet siders himself called to serve Christ.” The document draws a clear line at ban- adjusted and sexually mature. between police and bar patrons, courageous Vatican spokesmen refused to comment ning active gays, and what many experts said But the Rev. Mark Francis, superior general lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender peo- Tuesday, saying the document would be was a less clear one banning candidates with of the Clerics of Saint Viator, a religious order ple stood up, spoke out, and resisted. They published on Nov. 29. “deep-seated homosexual tendencies,” while based in Rome, said the document appeared probably surprised even themselves at the But an Italian reporter, Andrea Tornielli, leaving the term undefined. Generally, it says, to allow the leeway to ordain a candidate who power of their own righteous indignation. a Vatican specialist for Il Giornale who saw homosexuals “find themselves in a situation believed he was gay but also believed he could Catholics should respond to the latest the entire document two weeks ago, said the that seriously obstructs them from properly be celibate. Vatican bullying the same way. After decades Adista document matched the one he saw. relating to men and women.” “You could say, ‘I believe I am gay, but that of the Vatican implementing a system that An anonymous church official was quoted “It’s a clear statement by the Vatican the tendencies toward being gay are not deep- takes authority away from local communities by The Associated Press as saying the docu- that gay men are not welcome in seminar- seated,’ “ he said. “What constitutes deep- and presumes to impose its will on Catholics ment, a short five pages with footnotes, was ies and religious orders,” said the Rev. James seated homosexual tendencies?” he said. “How who can think for themselves, it is time for genuine. Martin, a Jesuit priest and author of “In Good does one judge that?” Catholics to stand up, speak out, and resist. While church documents as early as 1961 Company: the Fast Track from the Corporate Critics complain that by discouraging gay Evidence suggests that U.S. Catholics do banned homosexuals from the priesthood, World to Poverty, Chastity and Obedience” men from applying, it will alter the makeup of not support many of the narrow-minded conservative Catholics complain that the (Rowman & Littlefield, 2000). “It raises the the priesthood, and possibly reduce its num- tenets of their church. In opposition to the ban has often been ignored. Some liberals bar so high that it would be difficult to imag- bers at a time of an already acute shortage. male hierarchy’s belief that ordaining wom- say the priesthood has been enriched, and ine gay men feeling encouraged to pursue a Supporters maintain, however, that the priest- en priests is theological treason, more than amplified in numbers, by gay celibate men. life in the priesthood,” he added. “It’s a very hood needs to change, though Father Fessio 60% of U.S. Catholics say they would support Thus many conservatives called the stringent set of rules they’re applying. Really said he worried whether that would actually women in the priesthood, according to the document a necessary correction, saying the only people that would be able to enter, happen. continued on page 5 Winter 2005–Spring 2006 BONDINGS Page Vatican flight from reality

By Michael B. Kelly First, it makes the Catholic hierarchy look Now the Vatican is suggesting that the even conservative Catholic groups have The Age, Melbourne, Australia ridiculous and mean. No one who has had ordination of all these men was a mistake. stated that they have no problem with gay November 29, 2005 any substantial involvement with Catholic Their ministry has been smeared with the priests, as long as they are celibate. priests and bishops imagines that they are all unsubstantiated assertion that men with So what is the Vatican’s problem? This Those red-blooded heterosexuals in the chest-thumping heterosexuals. To say that “deep-seated homosexual tendencies” can- document is vague about the reasons for Vatican have finally done it. After decades of some cardinals, for example, exhibit a cer- not form “correct relationships with women the new ban. It refers to the “urgency” of the increasingly shrill condemnations of homosex- tain sensibility that in other contexts might and men”, and so “cannot” be ordained. “current situation”, and the “negative effects uality, they have actually banned gay priests. be labelled “gay”, is not to say anything This crude insult will distress countless gay that can flow” from ordaining gay men — You almost wonder what took them so long. remarkable. You just have to look at some of priests — and it is a kick in the stomach to all but there is no clarification. Since no case is A document expected to be issued in Rome the outfits. This observation, commonplace gay people. Without question, many young made, no response can be given. The Vatican this week by the Congregation of Catholic among both lay Catholics and the clergy, men who would have been fine priests will just makes scary noises about gay priests, Education intensifies the church’s stance does not detract from broad acceptance that be lost to the church, and this at a time when and expects Catholics to accept its dictates. against gay priests. The document, reported gay priests have long offered devoted minis- the shortage of priests is becoming acute. This is dishonest and insulting. If the Pope to have been approved by Pope Benedict XVI try to the Catholic community. Catholics have a right to be angry. and his cardinals have a problem with gay on August 31, prohibits from the priesthood Father Richard John Neuhaus, for exam- They also have a right to be disgusted. priests, let them state their case cleanly and active homosexuals, those judged to have ple, one of the church’s most conservative Whatever the actual percentages are — esti- openly and let independent research and hon- deep-seated homosexual tendencies and commentators, wrote in 2002 that “it seems mates vary from 25 to 50 per cent and higher est dialogue take place. Let them also face the those who support “gay culture”. more than likely that, in centuries past, — the clergy at every level includes men fact that the arguments they offer may well be The Italian newspaper Il Giornale recent- some priests who have been canonised as with “deep-seated homosexual tendencies”. used to critique their own priesthood. ly quoted the document as saying the church saints would meet today’s criteria as having Vatican powerbrokers can get their silk In the meantime, gay priests have to face should avoid discriminating against gays, a homosexual orientation”. This was con- robes in a knot, fulminating about gay semi- the fact that this is a time of radical choice. but it could not ordain them. For a priest, it firmed in modern terms by Bishop William narians, but plenty of Catholics see through They can be cowed into silence and collude said, homosexuality represents “a situation Skylstad, the president of the US National the charade. It’s a tragic cliche that the bully in their own oppression, or they can stand that impedes the building of correct rela- Conference of Catholic Bishops, who wrote who beats up faggots is often hiding his own up for themselves, expose the lies and claim tionships with men and women”. just last month: “There are many wonderful fear of being seen as homosexual. the power of the gospel — that truth that sets This is just the latest stage in the Vatican’s and excellent priests in the church who have The Vatican’s neurosis around homosex- us free. Most of all, they must stand up for campaign to halt the progress of civil and a gay orientation, are chaste and celibate and uality is peaking at a time when Catholics their younger gay brothers who are called to spiritual liberation for gay people. This very effective ministers of the gospel.” Even are increasingly affirming gay people. priesthood, and refuse to let them be insult- campaign has revealed an ugly side of the George Pell admitted to Channel Nine’s Earlier this year a major poll showed that ed and rejected in the name of Christ.  Catholic Church — a side that rejects mod- Sunday show in 2001 that there is probably a three-quarters of Australia’s Catholics do ern science and psychology, forbids dia- higher proportion of homosexual men in the not believe homosexuality is immoral. Spain Michael B. Kelly is a gay Catholic writer logue, and uses power as a blunt instrument priesthood than in the general society — but recently legalised gay marriage with the sup- and activist. He is scholar in residence at the of control. This latest sally in the campaign, he made no claim that these men were not port of 70 per cent of its overwhelmingly Easton Mountain Retreat Centre in New however, is likely to backfire. worthy pastors. Catholic population. In the United States, York.

Continued from page 4 In Strong Terms, Rome Is to Ban Priest pulled after refusing to Gays as Priests support anti-gay marriage push

Associated Press Worcester Diocese spokesman Raymond “It depends on whether it’s implemented as a scapegoat for that scandal, a charge the September 29, 2005 Delisle said Lange and Labaire would keep or not,” he said. “Will it be obeyed? I don’t church has vigorously denied. Experts have their jobs at St. Luke’s and no further disci- know. I’ve read a lot of documents in the past noted that is incorrect to equate pedophilia Westborough, Mass. –The pastor of a plinary action was planned against the two that weren’t.” with homosexuality. Roman Catholic church was temporarily priests. The document is marked as signed on The document concerns only candidates pulled from the pulpit after he refused to sup- “It was only one weekend,” he said. Nov. 4 by Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, for the priesthood, not already ordained port a petition drive against gay marriage by “Everything should be back to the normal prefect for the Congregation for Catholic priests. But in anticipation of the docu- the state’s bishops. schedule.” Education, the Vatican department that ment’s release, a handful of priests have pub- The Rev. George Lange of St. Luke the Delisle said the bishop’s intention was not to oversees seminaries. It says that on Aug. licly declared their homosexuality, and a few Evangelist church in Westborough was rebuke the priests, but to explain the church’s 31, Benedict “approved the instruction and bishops and leaders of religious orders have replaced last weekend by Worcester Bishop position on gay marriage. ordered its publication.” spoken out in defense of their gay priests. Robert McManus, who led the Saturday eve- But parishioner Cindy Hodgdon said her While the document has been in the The president of the United States ning Mass and the Sunday morning Mass. church leaders’ “hands were slapped very pub- works for years, begun under Pope John Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop The move came after Lange and his asso- licly.” Paul II, its release marks one of the most William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., wrote ciate pastor, the Rev. Stephen Labaire, posted “Bishop McManus told us that Father significant acts in Benedict’s seven months in his diocesan newspaper in October: “There an item in the Sept. 11 church bulletin stating George ‘made a mistake’ and ‘should not have as pope. are many wonderful and excellent priests in their opposition to a proposed Constitutional done that,’” she said. A doctrinal conservative who served the church who have a gay orientation, are amendment banning gay marriage. The state’s “Everybody was stunned,” said parishioner as John Paul’s defender of the faith for two chaste and celibate, and are very effective four Catholic bishops are leading a signature Rob Wilson. “It was a rather stunning hom- decades, he spoke out before his election ministers of the Gospel. Witch hunts and gay drive to get the amendment on a ballot in the ily.” against “filth” in the church, which many bashing have no place in the Church.” 2008 election. Messages left at the church for Lange and observers speculated was a reference to the Bishop Matthew H. Clark, of Rochester, The bulletin item read: “The priests of this Lebaire were not immediately returned. need to clean up the church after the scan- addressing any “gay young men who are parish do not feel that they can support this Delisle said Lange is on a previously sched- dals involving sexually abusive priests. considering a vocation to priesthood,” wrote: amendment. They do not see any value to it uled vacation and would not be present at this Some critics both in and out of the church “We try to treat all inquiries fairly. You will and they see it as an attack upon certain people weekend’s masses, when petitions are sched- have accused the Vatican of using gay priests be no exception.”  in our parish, namely those who are gay.” uled to be distributed.  Page 6 BONDINGS Volume 26 Number 3 Catholic parents set hierarchy straight on gay children

By Kris Berggen National Catholic Reporter The Catholic Rainbow Parents Declaration August 26, 2005 A pastoral statement of wisdom, love, and support from Catholic parents If you’d seen the group arriving for a meeting one fi ne June evening, you might of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT) persons. have guessed they were about to discuss Th e following statement was draft ed at the Catholic Rainbow Parents’ inaugural meeting on July 12th. how to grow dahlias or delphiniums or daff odils. Mostly graying, dressed in polo shirts and khakis or sundresses We the undersigned, declare the following toJuly be 2005true of our experiences as informed, loving parents and sandals, they brought potluck dish- 1. Homosexuality is a variation of the God-givenof gay, gift lesbian, of human bisexual, sexuality. and transgendered It is a gift that (GLBT) our blessed persons: GLBT children, li es and slapped on nametags as they col- called to express lovingly and responsibly. lected in a church hall on Lake Street in Accordingly, we do not accept as truth the notion expressed by the 1986 letter of the Congregation of the Doctrine of south Minneapolis—but they weren’t orientation is “objectively disordered” or that because of this orientation GLBT people are “intrinsically inclined towardke their straight siblings, are swapping gardening tips. Instead, this Such characterizations are in defi ance of modern science and the lived experience of families such as ours - families th grass-roots group of Catholic par- the Vatican to observe and comment on the moral and spiritual integrity of their children, be they gay or straight. the Faith, that homosexual ents met to plot a collective response We believe that the Vatican’s very choice of such language indicates a fundamental disregard for the innate value of an entirevil.” to recent Vatican statements revil- eff ects of such language are profoundly dehumanizing and spiritually abusive of these persons and those who loveat them. are in aA better position than ing the most precious thing they’ve this kind fuels the fi res of bigotry and places GLBT persons in great physical and emotional danger. raised—their beloved children who We feel responsible as parents, as Catholics, and as citizens to confront such language that demeans and disenfranch happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or e group of people. Th e but all GLBT persons. dditionally, language of transgendered (GLBT). We also feel a responsibility to confront and challenge misconceptions and inaccuracies concerning GLBT people - At a second meeting in July, sexuality is a choice, that it is a “curable condition” or a “changeable lifestyle,” or that it is equivalent to pedophilia.ises Pedoph not only GLBT Catholics, the group took the name Catholic whereas homosexuality is a variation of the God-given gift of human sexuality. Rainbow Parents and issued the We share the perspective of the National Catholic Risk Retention Group’s VIRTUS programs, with which the Archdioceseincluding the idea that homo- “Minnesota Catholic Parents’ collaborates in response to the mandate of the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” adopted by the U Declaration,” which they intend to ilia is a mental illness of Catholic Bishops in June 2002. send to the Vatican as well as the of Th e VIRTUS programs report that, “It is a myth that most sex abusers are homosexuals. Most sex off enders are not homosexual of St. Paul and Minneapolis St. Paul and Minneapolis archdio- sexual . . . Studies repeatedly show that most male molesters of boys are not homosexual with adults. It is a faulty assumption that an cese. Th e statement is a polite but nited States Conference selects a young boy as a victim is gay.” fi rm rejection of what one father Recognizing that homosexuality is an expression of the sacred gift of human sexuality, we bear public witness to the joy and bles called “the violence of the rheto- ; they are hetero- children bring to our families and our communities. We celebrate our children as gift s from God in all of their aspects, and regard ric” employed in recent papal adult male who fl edged members of both Church and society. proclamations on homosexu- 2. We acknowledge and celebrate the life-giving relationships of our GLBT children and support them in their choice to have their lo ality and same-sex marriage. sings that our GLBT and sacramentally experienced relationships ecclesiastically and/or civilly validated through either sacramental marriage or civil u Two-dozen parents signed the them as full- Accordingly, we do not accept as truth the notion that same-sex marriage is, in the words of the late Pope John Paul II, part of “an statement and they hope more that such unions, in the words of Pope Benedict XVI, are “fake” or constitute a form of anarchy that “banalizes” the human body. Nor do will join them in setting church ving, committed, Benedict XVI’s contention that gay unions threaten children with abuse. leaders straight, so to speak, nions. Such assertions are not based in fact, and amount to an undisguised attack on the loving relationships and families of GLBT person on how their families refl ect ideology of evil,” or to the Vatican, we see the issue of same-sex marriage as a clear-cut social justice issue. Th e human rights and dignity of an entire class Christian love. we support assaulted when their love and fi delity to each other and their children are broadly dismissed as “evil.” No other group of human bein “We are here to assume subjected to this kind of sweeping denunciation by virtue of their God-given instincts for human love and relational intimacy. a parental role in affi rming s. In contrast We denounce the Vatican’s worldwide activism in support of laws that would deny GLBT persons both marriage and full rights o and supporting our children of people are the form of legalized civil unions. We view the enshrinement of discrimination in the laws of local, national, and international go gs have been and their partners,” said antithesis of the love and justice for which our churches and governments should stand. Mary Lynn Murphy, presi- We call upon the Vatican and members of the Catholic hierarchy to recognize and confront the specter of internalized homopho dent of the Catholic Pastoral f citizenship in component of their aggressive posture toward GLBT Catholics, their partners, and supporters Committee on Sexual vernments as the We view the Church as a living, evolving entity that is most catholic when it is shaped by the life experiences of all its members Minorities and a convener of tory, the Church has been known to change its position on various issues in the light of increased understanding of specifi c realities. Th e ti Catholic Rainbow Parents, bia that is a key overdue for members of the church hierarchy to be open to the realities of GLBT people’s lives and relationships. and mother of a straight In light of our parental leadership regarding this issue, we invite those in positions of ecclesiastical leadership to open themselves to the daughter and a gay son. . Th roughout its his- love that we have gained as parents of GLBT persons. “We as parents know our me is long It is our hope that openness to such wisdom and love, to the presence of God in the experiences of GLBT people and those closest to t GLBT children intimately. pel those in positions of ecclesiastical leadership to a conversion of heart and a change in their language and position on homosexuality and We know their spiritual wisdom and marriage. and moral goodness.” Beverly Barrett* Continued on page 7 hem, will com- same-sex Gordon and Margaret Bayly Mary Beckfeld* Bill and Deb LeMay* Ward Brennan* Sue and Bob McDonald* Myrna and Ron Ohmann* Maria and Charlie Girsch* Mary and Marsh McDonough Chuck and Alice Rice* Frances Gill Gladys and Milt Hill* Mary Lynn and Mike Murphy* Darlene and Tom White* Susan E. Bydalek Sue and Rich Kramp* Gretchen and Tom Murr* Paul and Jessica McGannon Linda Ekstrom Phyllis Nickels* Ann and Jim Wilger Patty Kean Parents) Mary C. & Gene Phillips (*Note: All of these parents appear in the (Members of Catholic Rainbow If you would like to add your name to the Catholic Rainbow Parents’ Declaration, please send an email to CPCSM at: photo at the top of this page.) [email protected] . Winter 2005–Spring 2006 BONDINGS Page 7

“We are strong on family values,” said Sue the fi ve years their daughter has McDonald, a member of St. Joan of Arc Parish been out to them. in Minneapolis who signed the declaration “What I’m learning in all along with her husband, Bob. “We believe of this is everything in life has everybody in our family should receive the goodness and love—and shad- same value, our two daughters and our trans- ow. Everything has both,” said gendered son.” Deb LeMay. “Do I see that in the Th e declaration asserts that homosexuality Catholic church? Absolutely. Do is a variation on the God-given gift of sexual- I walk away because of that? No. ity, to be expressed responsibly and lovingly as I have to stay with it because it’s heterosexuality is. It debunks the myth that the church that’s been a part of homosexuality is equivalent to pedophilia; us too.” urges support for committed same-sex rela- Other signers are closer tionships, whether civil or sacramental unions; to the edges of the church’s and it calls upon the Vatican to recognize “the institutional life, though still specter of internalized homophobia” at the connected through prayer com- root of its “aggressive posture” toward homo- munities and activism. For sexuals. Darlene White of Edina, Minn., Th e parents’ document reads in part: “We mother of two straight sons and do not accept as truth the notion that same-sex a lesbian daughter with two marriage is, in the words of the late Pope John children of her own, signing the Paul II, part of ‘an ideology of evil,’ or that such declaration is a matter of justice unions, in the words of Pope Benedict XVI, are Photo: David J. McCaff rey that calls us to “invite the lead- ‘fake’ or constitute a form of anarchy which Seated (l to r): Chuck and Alice Rice, Mary Lynn and Mike Murphy, Darlene and Tom White; middle row (l to r): ers to look at what they’re doing Gretchen Murr, Phyllis Nickels, Beverly Barrett, Bill and Deb LeMay, Mary Beckfeld, Ward Brennan; and back row ‘banalizes’ the human body. Nor do we sup- (l to r): Tom Murr, Charlie Girsch, Ron Ohmann, Maria Girsch, Myrna Ohmann, Sue Kramp and Rich Kramp, in light of social teaching on the port Benedict XVI’s contention that gay unions Gladys and Milt Hill, and Bob and Sue McDonald. dignity of every human being.” threaten children with abuse.” Th e document She added, “God’s love for each cites a 1986 letter of the Congregation of the of us is abundant and generous Doctrine of the Faith in which homosexual “We wouldn’t talk to our kids that way. We ask ties. Deb works in the development offi ce at and no one has the right to set limits on that orientation is described as “objectively disor- the church not do so.” Holy Family Catholic High School in sub- which is without limits. dered” and homosexual persons as “intrinsi- Most of the signers, like Deb and Bill urban Minneapolis, and was recently asked “Dissent is absolutely vital, especially dis- cally inclined toward evil.” LeMay, are lifelong Catholics involved in to facilitate training groups for “Protecting sent voiced in a loving, non-self-absorbed way. Th e signers decry such “spiritually abusive” the life of the church, but angered and hurt God’s Children,” the archdiocesan program [To suppress dissent] can’t help but blot out language and say there is a “feeling of urgen- by the institutional attitude toward their to prevent child sexual abuse by church staff the lovely diversity of wisdom that exists in cy” to respond to an increasingly rigid church children. Th e LeMays are Eucharistic minis- and volunteers. Partly because of their close the people of God, including the leaders,” she hierarchy. Said Deb LeMay of Victoria, Minn., ters and lectors at their parish, St. Victoria, church connections, coming out as a family said. “When that happens the whole church is who has a straight son and a lesbian daughter, and participate in small faith communi- has been a deliberate process for them during wounded.” 

The Peace Pulpit: Challenging Church Authorities

By Bishop Th omas Gumbleton ernment that claims to be for all people but necessary to try to counteract what our reli- of the church, is going to bar any gay per- National Catholic Reporter is only for the rich, the elite. gious authorities do. I have here a very small son from the seminary. Th at’s an insult, to September 25, 2005 But what about in our own country? Are pamphlet. It was published by the National say that even though you’re made in God’s there times when we too must challenge Conference of Catholic Bishops. It’s called, image—it says right here “in you God’s love Refl ecting on these scriptures and try- authority, civil authority, for example? I “Always Our Children” I’m sure many is revealed”—but you can’t be in the semi- ing to put it into the context of the world think we could say—and most people now of you are familiar with this. It’s a pastoral nary. It’s a terrible injustice. It’s a terrible in which we live, we have to ask ourselves, agree to this—that our government mislead message to parents of homosexual children. cruelty infl icted against this minority in where do we stand? Are we with those who us; it took us into a war that has brought At the very end of the message it says: our community. Don’t we have to speak up stand in judgment over others—like the about extraordinary, almost unbelievable “To our homosexual brothers and sisters we against that? Don’t we have to say, “No, we’re scribes and the Pharisees—or are we willing suff ering for the people of Iraq. Th ere are off er a concluding word: Th is pastoral message not going to accept that kind of discrimina- to challenge authorities, civil or religious, if those among us who are standing up and has been an outstretched hand to your par- tion, that kind of injustice”? I think we do. I they are hypocritical, if they say one thing saying no to this government. Many of our ents and family inviting them to accept God’s think that’s what Jesus was doing. He spoke but do another? Th ere are those in our com- own family members are in Washington great presence in their lives now and to trust up against those who would say one thing munity, our whole church community, who over the weekend protesting, speaking up, in the unfailing mercy of Jesus, our Lord. Now and then act in a diff erent way, and that—it certainly do this. I think of a person who challenging our government, because it told we stretch out our hands and invite you to do seems sadly enough—is what the religious I’ve mentioned before, a friend of ours, I’ve us one thing (Iraq had weapons of mass the same. We are called to become one body, leaders of our church are doing. Th ey say known for many years: Fr. Gerard Jean-Juste. destruction and was connected with 9-11), one spirit in Christ. We need one another … one thing, “In you God’s love is revealed,” He is imprisoned in Haiti right now and has and these things were not true. So we have to [and] though at times you may feel discour- but then say, “You’re not worthy to be in the been for a number of weeks with no charge expose the hypocrisy and speak out against aged, hurt or angry do not walk away from seminary.” It is a terrible cruelty and injus- against him except that he spoke up for the it. It seems to me the responsibility to expose your families, from the Christian community, tice. poor. He defended the poor. He tried to help hypocrisy is something all of us could have from all those who love you. In you God’s love If we listen deeply and carefully to today’s the poor to be raised up, to be accepted, to once we begin to see how Jesus acted toward is revealed. You are always our children.” scriptures then surely we must begin to have have a fair chance in that society. Because civil and religious authorities. What a beautiful message to gay and les- the courage to speak out when necessary of this, the elite, the powerful have tried to What is even harder for us, and it must bian people, young men and women or older against civil and religious authorities. But crush him, to destroy him. He’s in jail, in a have been hard for Jesus too, is to chal- men and women even. What a beautiful it is also important to remember that every terrible situation. He’s willing to speak up, lenge religious authority. But when religious message to say to them, “In you God’s love one of us is a forgiven sinner, so when we because he identifi es with those who are authorities in our church say one thing and is revealed. You are always our children.” speak out we never do it with arrogance or rejected and those who are put aside. He then act in a diff erent way, it seems to me that But then what happened last week? We dis- with pride or with a sense of superiority. We speaks and exposes the hypocrisy of a gov- we’re called to challenge that, to speak out if cover that now the church, the leadership do it humbly, but we do it persistently.  Page BONDINGS Volume 26 Number 3 History reveals unsavory mix of religion, constitutional law By Michael V. Tegeder human rights that our church professes to added same-sex marriages. Obviously, if My advice to our Catholic leaders is taken St. Paul Pioneer Press and wire services uphold. they sincerely believe this, their main battle from one known to challenge the religious St. Paul , Minnesota It seems hypocritical for our Catholic is with birth control and divorce, which are establishment of his day, “Do unto others as January 10, 2006 bishops to promote this amendment as nec- much graver threats in terms of pervasive you would have done unto you.” essary for protecting marriage. A year ago, societal acceptance. Why then do the bishops My hope for my Catholic brothers and A few days after Christmas other Roman over the 2004 Christmas weekend, the bish- only promote a constitutional amendment sisters is that we prayerfully consider, “What Catholic pastors in Minnesota and I received ops wanted a pastoral letter disseminated in against gays and lesbians and their families? would Jesus do?” Let those without sin send a mailing from the bishops of the state. It was churches throughout the state that spoke of Without the amendment, our church can the first postcard.  not a word of appreciation after one of the grave threats to marriage. continue to make distinctions between sac- more demanding weekends of the year, nor They mentioned the usual suspects, arti- ramental marriage, legal marriage and civil Tegeder is pastor of the Church of St. was it a word of blessing for the coming year. ficial birth control and divorce, and then unions. Edward in Bloomington. Rather it was to inform us that we were to lead a postcard campaign in our parishes petitioning our legislators to place the issue of a “constitutional marriage amendment” on the ballot for November. University president says Catholic values I find this campaign troubling, being unnecessary and mean-spirited. Because five of the six bishops who lead our dio- may conflict with academic freedom ceses are not native to the state, I would like to share with them some perspective from By Jodi S. Cohen about female sexuality and violence against while, will change its name to Gay & Lesbian Minnesota’s history. Chicago Tribune women. Twenty-one Catholic campuses have Film: Filmmakers, Narratives, Spectatorships, The Minnesota Constitution, like the January 25, 2006 shows scheduled this year, according to the said student co-chair Harry Karahalios. U.S. Constitution, has a bill of rights includ- Cardinal Newman Society, a religious organi- Discussions during the Feb. 9 to 11 ing anti-establishment and free exercise of SOUTH BEND, Ind.—The University of zation that has protested the performances. event will be limited to topics related to religion clauses. However, the Minnesota Notre Dame’s new president said Tuesday that Acknowledging that the film fest and mono- film and not homosexuality, Jenkins said. Constitution was amended in 1877. Article he will put limits on two of the campus’ most logues have drawn criticism, Jenkins said in an Notre Dame senior Kaitlyn Redfield, who 13, Section 2, titled “Prohibition as to aiding controversial events, saying the Queer Film interview that his decision to address the issue has organized “The Vagina Monologues” sectarian schools,” was added and read: “In Festival and performances of “The Vagina was not in response to alumni pressures or a performance for the last three years, said the no case shall any public money or property Monologues” raise concerns for the Roman Vatican mandate. play is one of the few avenues where students be appropriated or used for the support of Catholic school. Jenkins, who took over July 1 and is Notre feel empowered to talk about sexual violence schools wherein the distinctive doctrines, Rev. John Jenkins stopped short of can- Dame’s third president in the last half-cen- against women. creeds or tenets of any particular Christian celing this year’s events, scheduled for next tury, has said that maintaining Notre Dame’s “What you will be shutting down is free or other religious sect are promulgated or month, but the 52-year-old scholar and priest religious character will be difficult in a culture inquiry and the open discernment of faith,” taught.” said he would seek input from students, fac- that has become both more secular and more said Redfield, one of about 16 students who Why was this added? Was there a fear ulty and alumni before deciding whether radically religious. addressed Jenkins. back in the late 19th century that some ren- the shows should continue in future years. He said he hopes his speeches this week will All but one of the students spoke against egade judge would legislate from the bench The play will be staged this year in a smaller help the university community understand Jenkins’ position, but they later argued outside creating a new right for publicly funded lecture hall without ticket sales, and the film how he will make difficult decisions. While the auditorium with more than a dozen stu- parochial schools? festival’s name will be changed. he will consider others’ views, he said decisions dents who favored limiting such events. No, the prohibition clause was an exam- In an address, Jenkins acknowledged the will be based on what is best for the school and “The `Vagina Monologues’ is an expres- ple of the so-called “Blaine Amendments” “sacred” value of academic freedom but also its mission–in his judgment. sion of sexuality that is not in line with adopted by more than 20 states. They were said that value should not trump all other con- “If the issue is something that touches on Catholic teaching and goes against the ideals considered a direct result of the nativist, siderations at the Catholic school. the Catholic Church, I have a special role to of a Catholic university,” said senior Arina anti-Catholic bigotry, which was common in “In some situations, given the distinctive play in that decision,” he said in an interview Grossu, 22. American politics during the 19th and early character and aspirations of Notre Dame, it after his speech. Others said they see the potential elimina- 20th centuries. It was a message sent by way may be necessary to establish certain bound- About 400 students attended his address tion of the events as a regression after years of of the Constitution, especially to Catholics aries, while defending the appropriate exercise Tuesday and more watched it on television moving toward the acceptance of diverse life- - whose numbers were increasing through of academic freedom,” he told students in the in the student center. Jenkins spoke to fac- styles. While the university does not recognize immigration - that they and their practices second of a series of speeches this week about ulty Monday and plans to meet with alumni gay and lesbian student groups, there is a com- were suspect and second class. potential conflicts between academic freedom Thursday. mittee on Gay and Lesbian Student Needs. More recently, a group of ultra-conserva- and Catholic values. Jenkins drew a distinction between limit- History and gender studies professor Gail tive church leaders, joined by the Catholic He argued that events should not be spon- ing the individual speech of faculty members Bederman said that when she started teaching bishops of Minnesota, is promoting an sored by the university, or one of its academic or students and putting boundaries on events at Notre Dame 13 years ago, students wouldn’t amendment to the state Constitution dictat- departments, when they are “contrary to or sponsored by and held at the university. say the world “gay” in class. Now students wear ing that marriage is limited to one man and inconsistent with the fundamental values of a Regarding the Queer Film Festival and T-shirts that say, “Gay? Fine by Me.” one woman. Catholic university.” He said that by doing so, it “The Vagina Monologues,” Jenkins said he She disagreed that sponsoring an event After 150 years, is this addition needed appears that the university endorses the content fears it appears that the university is endorsing implicitly means agreement with the content. in our core document? No, we already have of the events, which are sponsored by academic events that promote homosexuality and sexu- “Universities sponsor all sorts of activities state and federal laws so defining marriage. departments so they can be held on campus. ality with no discussion of morality. that they don’t advocate,” Bederman said, add- It seems to be using the Constitution to send But he said he would spend at least the next Jenkins said he will allow “The Vagina ing that she still praised Jenkins for addressing a message telling gays and lesbians that they, six to eight weeks listening to others before Monologues” to be performed this year, but the issue. their relationships and their families are sus- making a decision on the future of the film fes- only in a lecture hall. Jenkins also barred “As the new president, it has been a hot pect and second class. tival and play. fundraising for the student performance, call- potato dumped in his lap,” she said. “For the In addition, the amendment would take The discussion, which has polarized the ing it an academic presentation instead. About president to stand up and say something that is away the possibility of rights enjoyed by oth- campus and the broader Catholic community, $15,000 was raised last year for a YMCA and not going to be popular, and to say `this is my er Minnesota families through civil union comes amid pressure for Catholic colleges to Sexual Offense Services, organizers said. opinion but I want to know what you think,’ is recognition. These include fundamental ban “The Vagina Monologues,” a performance The 3-year-old Queer Film Festival, mean- just extraordinary.”  Winter 2005–Spring 2006 BONDINGS Page Jesuits host forum about gay Catholics

By Carole Eisenberg focus on how you develop programs at a local work with the ministry by the Vatican, the but had to be moved to a retreat house in Newsday level so that gay and lesbian people will feel Mount Rainier, Md.-based group has contin- Ronkonkoma Long Ilsand,NY welcome in a Catholic parish.” ued under lay leadership. The church’s pastor, the Rev. William November 17, 2005 He said that the pending Vatican docu- Sean Dolan, a spokesman for the bishop, Brisotti, confirmed that account yesterday. ment has made his group’s message even more said yesterday that the diocese is not opposed “It was the bishop’s position that some A Jesuit retreat house in Manhasset is host- urgent—and tougher to sell. to outreach to gay Catholics. “The key point is of the positions of New Ways Ministry were ing a workshop about gay Catholics and the “It makes it more difficult to help people that the outreach has to be consistent with the against Catholic teaching and that it was not church that had been barred from diocesan see that there is a tradition in the Catholic teachings of the Catholic Church,” Dolan said. appropriate for them to offer a workshop on property last year by Bishop William Murphy church of acceptance of lesbian and gay peo- The Catholic Church holds that homosex- church property,” he said. of the Diocese of Rockville Centre ple,” he said. “And it also shows that the think- ual acts are “intrinsically disordered,” but also The executive director of St. Ignatius The workshop on building bridges to gay ing of the Vatican’s leaders on homosexuality opposes discrimination. Retreat House said he was unaware of the bish- people comes just as the Vatican is about to is very much out of step with what American DeBernardo said that last year’s workshop op’s objections, but noted that the Jesuits were release a document restating its prohibition Catholics, not to mention scientists and social was originally scheduled at Our Lady of the renting space to the group, not sponsoring the barring gay men from the priesthood scientists, think about homosexuality.” Miraculous Medal Church in Wyandanch, content of the workshop.  Francis DeBernardo, executive director of About two dozen people, including several New Ways Ministry, the organization lead- priests and nuns from the diocese of Rockville ing the workshop, said yesterday that the pro- Centre, are registered, he said. gram does not challenge church orthodoxy. New Ways Ministry was founded in 1977 by Dissenter Won’t Quit “Our mission is simply to try to help Catholic Sister Jeannine Gramick and the Rev. Robert institutions learn more about the reality of gay Nugent to advocate for gay Catholics. After the By Eileen McNamara he is quick to note. He is studying gender and and lesbian Catholics,” DeBernardo said. “We nun and the priest were ordered to stop their Boston Globe moral theology, sitting in on classes in com- October 30, 2005 parative religions to deepen his understanding of how different traditions cope with illness CAMBRIDGE - His name jumps out and death. among the signatures on the declaration of While he is at Harvard he hopes to inter- O’Malley calls on religious support for same-sex marriages in est sociologists in examining the fallout for the Massachusetts. 58 Boston-area priests who called on Cardinal Of the hundreds of clergy from more than Bernard F. Law to resign in 2002 for his failure Catholics to stop bias a score of religious denominations in the of leadership during the clergy sexual-abuse Commonwealth to endorse the fundamental crisis. Law resigned 10 days later, but he has human right of gay people to marry, only the moved on to a comfortable berth in Rome. against gays Rev. Robert E. Nee is a Roman Catholic priest. Many of the priests who signed that letter have He is neither brave nor crazy, he says; neither is been removed from their parishes, though he unmindful of the retribution being meted the archdiocese denies that reprisals played By Charles A. Radin homosexual orientation.” out these days to dissidents by Archbishop any role in those personnel changes. “We The Boston Globe At the same time, he stoutly defended Sean P. O’Malley: The pastor in Westborough have a support group for priests,” says Father November 24, 2005 church teachings on sexuality. ‘’If we tell peo- chastised for calling efforts to overturn gay Nee, who also signed the letter seeking Law’s ple that sex outside of marriage is not a sin, we marriage an “attack” on his homosexual removal. “The Boston Priest Forum is not dead Archbishop Sean P. O’Malley, reaching are deceiving people,” O’Malley wrote. ‘’If they parishioners. The popular, progressive pastor yet.” out to gays and lesbians just days before the believe this untruth, a life of virtue becomes all in Newton ousted on trumped-up charges of His 21 years in parish work in the Catholic Vatican is expected to issue a strongly worded but impossible. mismanagement. Archdiocese of Boston make Father Nee acute- ban on gays in the priesthood, yesterday called ‘’Sometimes we are told: ‘If you do not In the last two years, Father Nee has seen ly aware of the grief that the abuse crisis and on Catholics to wipe out prejudice against accept my behavior, you do not love me,’ “ he open-minded colleagues stripped of their subsequent church closings have caused indi- homosexuals. continued. ‘’In reality we must communicate churches, placed on unwanted sabbaticals, and vidual Catholics. So, too, is he sensitive to the O’Malley said in an interview yesterday the exact opposite: ‘Because we love you we forced into premature retirements. pain being inflicted by the Catholic Church’s that his decision to write the letter was not cannot accept your behavior.’ “ None of it will quash dissent, he says. campaign against gay marriage on families prompted by the Vatican document, expected Peter Borre, cochairman of the Council of “Every member of the clergy and the laity has headed by same-sex couples. to be released Tuesday, that bans gays from Parishes, a Boston-area parishioners’ group, a right and a responsibility to speak the truth “When we were children, there was a sense entering Catholic seminaries. He said he was said he felt O’Malley was ‘’preparing the as we know it,” he says of his decision to break that if Father or Sister said something then it prompted to write by the debate over same-sex ground as best he can, in a decent way” for so publicly with the hierarchy, which is urg- must be true. Well, we all mature. We were able marriage in Massachusetts, and to explain the what is expected to be a major controversy next ing all Catholics to support a ballot initiative to say [in response to the pre-Vatican II ban church’s support for a referendum that would week over the formal release of the Vatican that would define civil marriage as the union on attendance at Protestant church services], make such marriages illegal. document on gays in the priesthood, and the of a man and a woman. In many churches, the `I am going to that wedding no matter what ‘’There are many homosexuals out there church-supported campaign in Massachusetts petition drive is being promoted during Mass. Monsignor Kelly says.’ Now, many of us need who want to be faithful members of the to let voters decide whether to ban same-sex (The Religious Coalition for the Freedom to to say, `I am not going to deny the dignity and church,” O’Malley said. ‘’I don’t want them to marriage in a referendum vote. Marry, meanwhile, has collected 2,400 signa- the civil rights of gay people.’ “ feel the church is bigoted or that we want to “One can hear in these words the thoughts tures from Roman Catholics on an alternative Sitting on his deck on Cape Cod last sum- discriminate against anyone. . . . The stand on of a very decent, pastoral man who is bracing statement in support of marriage equity.) mer, listening to his neighbors’ children play- marriage is in defense of an institution we feel himself to be the instrument of a policy that he “The church is a human organization ing with their same-sex parents, he bristled at is crucial for children, family life, and society.” may not wholeheartedly endorse,” he said. and, like any human organization, its invest- the claim that the embrace of a loving family In his letter, which was sent yesterday to The Rev. Richard John Neuhaus, editor in ment in the status quo is a political real- was damaging these boys and girls. “There is the nearly 300 parishes in the Archdiocese of chief of the traditionalist Catholic magazine ity,” Father Nee says. “In the history of the no evidence to support that view,” he says, “but Boston, O’Malley said: ‘’Many homosexual First Things, said the letter was ‘’a clear and church, when has dissent ever been welcome?” the only science that gets acknowledged by persons in our church lead holy lives and make very pastoral statement fully in accord with the The 60-year-old priest, a native of Jamaica Plain the church is the science that was available to an outstanding contribution to the life of the church’s teaching. It has become fashionable to and a product of Boston’s parochial schools, is Augustine. It is terribly sad to think of the pain church by their service, generosity and the disparage the old axiom ‘hate the sin, love the spending this semester at Harvard Divinity these children will suffer if the church prevails. sharing of their spiritual gifts. We must strive sinner,’ but in fact that surely is the truth.”  School. His sabbatical from his post as chap- It is not hard to object to that.”  to eradicate prejudices against people with a lain at Children’s Hospital is entirely voluntary, Page 10 BONDINGS Volume 26 Number 3 International News Church reacts after two priests speak out

By Michael Valpy over his head. He said he estimates about 95 free to speculate about our [priests’] sex lives, ship and saying the ones who will be saved are The Globe and Mail per cent of his congregation supports him. and it’s a hard thing for a priest to realize he’s those who swim away from the ship as it goes October 22, 2005 Meanwhile, Vision TV’s flagship public a public person.” down, not those who stay on board. affairs program, 360 Vision, on Thursday A Vatican commission is investigating He said he spoke as a matter of justice on An Ontario Roman Catholic priest has broadcast a profile of Rev. Karl Clemens, what has been reported to be overt gay culture behalf of women wanting to enter the priest- been suspended for publicly supporting the who declared to the camera: “I’m a Roman in some U.S. Catholic seminaries. A statement hood: They are women who feel God’s call to ordination of women clergy and a second is Catholic priest. And I’m gay.” Vision said is expected soon from the Vatican that bars become full participants in the church’s min- under close scrutiny from his superiors after Father Clemens is the first Canadian priest to those who visibly belong or have belonged to istry. He said that to claim that Jesus chose his declaration on national television that he come out of the closet. the gay culture from the priesthood. only men as his disciples is a false argument. is homosexual. His superior, Archbishop Anthony Father Cachia said yesterday in an inter- “Jesus only chose Jews, too.” Rev. Ed Cachia was fired as pastor of St. Meagher of Kingston, immediately ordered a view that the Catholic Church’s harsh repres- Father Cachia did not rule out a move to Michael’s Parish in Cobourg, east of Toronto, transcript of the program, but made no com- sion of dissent is turning it into a dying the Anglican Church, in which women can be after he wrote an article in the Cobourg Daily ment. institution. He quoted dissident theologian ordained as priests.  Star urging his church to admit women to the Father Clemens administers to the homo- Hans Kung as likening the church to a sinking priesthood and reportedly told his bishop he sexual and HIV-AIDS communities in down- had celebrated mass with women priests in the town Toronto and lives with a man, a terminal United States. AIDS sufferer, for whom he says he is caring. Martin can receive communion despite Rev. Tom Lynch, a spokesman for the He also says he has maintained his celibacy, Catholic diocese of Peterborough, which although he says his church superiors have gay marriage stance, says PM’s priest includes Cobourg, said the newspaper arti- indicated on more than one occasion that they cle could have been overlooked — “People’s don’t believe him. The Canadian Press But Walsh, who also hosts a weekly show memories are short and the Cobourg Star is The church does not bar homosexuals from October 01, 2005 on CJAD, disagrees with the idea. not the New York Times” — but celebrating the priesthood, but frowns on priests who “I think that we must look at the situation the mass with women priests is a clear viola- publicly identify themselves with a homosex- MONTREAL (CP) - Despite his stance on and say: ‘Are we respecting a person’s con- tion of church canon law. ual lifestyle or culture. same-sex marriage, Paul Martin will always science?’ “ asked Walsh, who preaches at St. Canon law forbids Catholic priests from At issue, a church spokesman said, is be welcome to receive the sacrament of com- Jean de Brebeuf Parish where Martin attends concelebrating or co-officiating at mass with whether a priest’s statements or lifestyle cause munion in his home riding, the prime minis- mass in Montreal. clergy who do not accept the same doctrines scandal for the church by “sowing confusion ter’s local parish priest said Saturday. Speaking in Vancouver following a as the Catholic Church. Catholic doctrine in the public’s minds.” The spokesman said “We can’t use the eucharist as a time... to meeting with Mexican President Vicente reserves the priesthood for men. priests are held to a different level of moral judge a person’s conscience by refusing them Fox on Friday, Martin said he was a prati- Father Cachia, 56, plans to appear in St. conduct than laypersons. “Here is this fellow communion,” Rev. John Walsh told CJAD cising Roman Catholic who separates his Michael’s tomorrow to say goodbye. He said who has retired to the gay subculture, and radio. Roman Catholic bishops meeting at the privately held beliefs from his duties as a his bishop has given him $1,000 a month to people are going to wonder why he’s there. Vatican this weekend at the first synod led by politician. live on for the rest of the year and then he is on Is he reaching out [to the AIDS community] newly anointed Pope Benedict may consider Martin said his prime ministerial respon- his own — without pension, benefits or a roof or is it something else? People constantly feel denying communion to politicians who pass sibility is to uphold Canadians’ rights as laws that go against their faith. defined by the courts. Pope Chastises Envoy Over Gay Unions By Malcolm Thornberry accorded married couples including pen- Gay Clergy Issue Letter on Vatican Policy 365Gay.com 2005 sion, immigration, and property rights. December 30, 2005 Most of the European Union states already AssociatedPress homosexual tendency has not damaged our have varying forms civil unions. Only The Dec 14, 2005 psychic health.” Britain’s first Catholic ambassador to the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain in the The official “Instruction” from the Vatican since the Reformation presented EU permit same-sex marriage. Elsewhere, A group of gay Italian clergy said Congregation for Catholic Education released his credentials to Pope Benedict on Tuesday Canada and the US state of Massachusetts Wednesday that their homosexuality has late last month said men “who practice homo- and received a diplomatic slap over same- allow gay marriage. not stopped them from being good priests, sexuality, present deep-seated homosexual sex unions. Vermont offers civil unions and several a direct response to a recent Vatican policy tendencies or support the so-called ‘gay cul- Without mentioning civil partnerships states have domestic partner laws. Earlier statement banning priestly candidates with ture’” cannot be admitted to seminaries. The by name the Pontiff told Francis Campbell this month the highest court in South Africa “deep-seated” homosexual tendencies. only exception would be for those with a that promoting tolerance and respect must gave the government one year to pass a mar- The message, an open letter in which the “transitory problem” that had been overcome take into account God’s plan for humanity, riage equality law. priests said they felt like the church’s “unloved for at least three years. which includes protecting all life and safe- Since his election to the papacy in April, and unwanted children,” was posted on the The open letter noted that “we are Catholic guarding the family. Benedict has reaffirmed the Church’s anti- Web site of the Italian Catholic news agency priests ... with homosexual tendencies, and It requires us to acknowledge the indis- gay stand. In June, he issued a stinging con- Adista. The agency last month leaked the that fact has not stopped us from being good pensable role of stable marriage and family demnation of gay and lesbian families. Vatican instruction on gay priests a week priests.” life for the good of society,” Pope Benedict Repeatedly driving home his point that before its scheduled release by the Holy See. “We consider our homosexuality to be said. marriage can only be a union between Adista said 39 priests, 26 diocesans and wealth, because it helps us to share the mar- He went on to tell Campbell that human man and woman, the Pope called same-sex 13 more members of various religious orders ginalization and suffering of many people,” freedom “can never be realized indepen- unions “pseudo-matrimony”. had signed the letter. However, the text repro- the letter adds. dently of God but only in cooperation with Before becoming Pope, Benedict had duced on the Web site did not include the sig- The Vatican document had been in the his loving plan for humanity.” long history of attacking same-sex unions. natures or list their names. works for years, but its existence became Britain’s civil partnership law took effect As Cardinal Ratzinger he was the Vatican’s “We don’t have more problems living known in 2002 at the height of the clergy sex last week. most outspoken opponent of gay marriage. chastely than heterosexuals do, because abuse scandal in the United States. A study Civil partnerships give same-sex couples Campbell, a 35-year-old career diplomat, homosexuality is not a synonym of inconti- commissioned by U.S. bishops found most an opportunity to register their relation- has worked for the British Foreign Office nence, nor of uncontrollable urges,” the let- abuse victims since 1950 were adolescent ships and receive most of the same benefits since 1997.  ter states. “We are not sick with sex and our boys.  Winter 2005–Spring 2006 BONDINGS Page 11 Parishioners protest archdiocesan ouster Gay-Friendly Parishes of pastor 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 lesbian and gay Catholics as members and active By Chuck Colbert parishioners, please let us know. Tell us if this welcome is because of a support program, spirituality group, mission statement, National Catholic Reporter participation in gay community events, involvement with parents, or simply the friendliness of pastoral staff. October 7, 2005 Alabama Connecticut Missouri Ohio The ouster of a beloved parish priest and the Montgomery: St. Bede Hartford: St. Patrick-St. Anthony Kansas City: Cathedral of the Akron: St. assignment of a chancery insider to replace him Immaculate Conception; Bernard has triggered another eruption of anger and Arizona District of Columbia Guardian Angels; Cincinnati: Lesbian/Gay hurt among the laity of the Boston archdiocese. Mesa: Christ the King Dahlgren Chapel-Georgetown St. Francis Xavier; St. James Ministry, Xavier University; Fr. Walter H. Cuenin, pastor of the Our Scottsdale: Franciscan Renewal University, Holy Trinity, St. St. Louis: St. Cronan, Newman Center, University of Lady Help of Christians Church in Newton, Center Aloysius, St. Matthew Cathedral St. Margaret of Scotland, Cincinnati Tempe: All Saints Catholic told parishioners that the archdiocese forced St. Pius V Cleveland: Ascension of Our Newman Center Florida his resignation with allegations of financial Lord; Gesu Parish (University Tuscon: Ss. Peter and Paul, St. Ft. Lauderdale: St. Anthony, Minnesota Heights), St. Ladislas practices that a chancery press statement said Pius X, Our Mother of Sorrows, St. Maurice Minneapolis: St. Frances Cabrini, (Westlake), St. Malachi, St. “do not comport with archdiocesan policy, St. Odilia Melbourne: Ascension Parish St. Joan of Arc, JohnVianny (Mentor), St. Mary canon law or archdiocesan statutes.” Naples: St. John the Evangelist California St. Stephen of the Immaculate Conception The alleged financial improprieties include Winter Haven: St. Matthew St. Paul: University of St. Thomas (Wooster) Berkeley: Holy Spirit Parish parish payment of a stipend to Cuenin, as well Georgia Columbus: Newman Center, as the use of a Honda that the church leased for Carlesbad: St. Patrick Nebraska Ohio State University Atlanta: Shrine of the use by him and other priests. The finance com- Claremont: Mother of Good Omaha: St. John’s (Creighton Dayton: University of Dayton Counsel, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception mittee and pastoral council had approved both University); Holy Family; Campus Ministry Assumption Sacred Heart practices, which had been in place for years. Illinois Eagle Rock: St. Dominic’s Oregon On Sept. 26, the archdiocese announced that Berwyn: St. Mary of the Celle El Cajon: St. Luke Nevada Portland: Koinonia Catholic Cuenin’s replacement would be Fr. Christopher Chicago: Loyola University Escondido: St. Timothy Las Vegas: Christ the King, Community, St. Andrew, Chicago, St. Clement, J. Coyne, who has served as archdiocesan Goleta: St. Mark’s University Guardian Angel Cathedral St. Phillip Neri, St. Vincent de St. Gertrude, St. Gregory spokesman under Cardinal Bernard Law and Parish Paul Archbishop Sean P. O’Malley. During the peak Hawthorne: St. Joseph’s (Spanish) Country Club Hills: St. Emeric New Hampshire Evanston: St. Nicholas of the sex abuse crisis, Cuenin had been out- LaPuente: St. Martha Manchester: Parish of the Pennsylvania Morton Grove: St. Martha Transfiguration spoken in his criticism of Law’s handling of Lemon Grove: St. John of the Philadelphia: Old St. Joseph’s, Merrimack: St. John Neumann the scandal. Over the years, Cuenin also had Cross Indiana Old St. Mary’s, St. John the Long Beach: St. Matthew’s Evangelist, St. Vincent de Paul encouraged dialogue about the ordination of Evansville: St. Mary New Jersey Los Angeles: Blessed Sacrament, York: St. Joseph, San Damiano women, and Our Lady Help of Christians was Indianapolis: St. Thomas Aquinas Clifton:St. Brendan Christ the King, Loyola- known for welcoming divorced and remarried Notre Dame GALA Notre Lawrenceville: St. Ann Marymount University, Mother Rhode Island Dame/St. Mary’s College Wayside: St. Anselm’s Catholics, gay and lesbians, and others who felt of Good Counsel, St. Camillus Providence: St. Francis Chapel alienated from the Catholic church. Center-LA USC Medical Center Iowa New Mexico Parishioner and pastoral council member Texas (Spanish), St. Paul the Apostle Iowa City: St. Thomas More Espanola: Sacred Heart of Jesus Larry Kessler said the allegations are “a ruse in North Hollywood: St. Jane Frances Austin: University Catholic my mind and the minds of many.” The car and de Chantal, St. Patrick’s Kentucky New York Center-University of Texas Dallas: Holy Trinity stipend are “smoke screens,” Kessler said, add- Oceanside: St. Thomas More Louisville: Epiphany, Cathedral of Baldwinsville: St. Augustine San Antonio: University of the ing that archdiocese wants “to get Walter out Sacramento: St. Francis of Assisi the Assumption, Brooklyn: St. Andrew the Apostle, Incarnate Word of the pulpit” in part because “he encourages San Diego: Ascension, Christ the St. William’s St. Boniface people to think” and “O’Malley wants sheep.” King, San Rafael, St. Jude Shrine East Islip: St. Mary Virginia San Francisco: Most Holy Maine In fact, both financial practices had been Elmira: St. Mary’s Arlington: Our Lady Queen of Redeemer, Old St. Mary’s Portland: Sacred Heart/St. approved, Kessler said, and had been in place Fairport: Church of the Peace Cathedral Dominic Assumption Richmond: Cathedral of the for 12 years. “The archdiocese approves the San Jose: St. Julie Billiart; St. Saco: Most Holy Trinity Long Island: Sacred Heart, Sacred Heart, Sacred Heart parish budget, and it never raised any red Martin of Tours (Emmaus Merrick; SS. Cyril and Parish flags,” Kessler said. Community) Maryland Methodius, Deer Park; Roanoke: St. Gerard’s Several hundred parishioners were joined San Luis Obispo: Old Mission of Baltimore: Corpus Christi, Loyola St. Brigid’s, Westbury; Virginia Beach: St. Nicholas by Catholics from other parishes as well as San Luis Obispo College, St. Francis of Assisi, St. St. Elizabeth, Melville; St. Protestants and Jews at an all-night candle- San Rafael: Church of San Rafael Matthew, St. Philip and James, Frances de Chantal, Wantagh Washington & Mission San Rafael Archangel St. Vincent de Paul light prayer vigil Sept. 26 at Our Lady Help of Manhattan: Holy Name of Jesus, Seattle: St. Benedict Santa Clara: GALA, Santa Clara Columbia: St. John the Evangelist Christians. St. Joseph (Greenwich Village), Tacoma: St. Leo University Gaithersburg: St. Rose of Lima In the parish social hall, Margaret Roylance, St. Francis Xavier, St. Paul the Santa Cruz: Holy Cross Hagerstown: St. Ann West Virginia also a spokesperson for Voice of the Faithful Apostle Santa Monica: St. Monica’s Severn: St. Bernadette Shepherdstown: St. Agnes affiliates in Newton and nearby towns, Rochester: Emmanuel Church of Spring Valley: Santa Sophia Massachusetts the Deaf, St. Augustine, St. John addressed the gathering. “We believe that Fr. Valinda: St. Martha’s Wisconsin Boston: Boston College, Jesuit the Evangelist (Humboldt St.), Cuenin’s forced resignation as pastor is part of a West Hollywood: St. Ambrose, St. Madison: St. Benedict Center Urban Center, Paulist Center, St. Mary’s, St. Monica systematic purge on the part of the archdiocese Victor’s Sunday Assumbly St. Anthony’s Shrine Syracuse: St. Andrew the Apostle of priests of integrity, which is being carried out Whittier: St. Mary of the Menomonee Falls: Good Newton: Our Lady Help of Utica: St. Francis DeSales without any consultation with the lay faithful Assumption Shepherd Christians and with complete disregard for their needs and North Carolina Milwaukee: Prince of Peace, Colorado Sharon: Our Lady of Sorrows Trinity-Guadalupe wishes,” she said. “It has all the earmarks of a Durham: Immaculate Arvada: Spirit of Christ Worcester: Holy Cross College witch hunt and must be stopped.” Parishioners Conception Boulder: St. Thomas Aquinas Canada applauded her calls for Cuenin’s immediate Michigan Fayetteville: St. Patrick Denver: Shrine of the Immaculate Toronto: Our Lady of Lourdes St. Ignace: St. Ignatius Loyola Raleigh: St. Francis of Assisi exoneration and reinstatement. Conception, St. Dominic’s, “He’s the heart of Newton,” said town resi- 10:30 Catholic Community dent Holly Gunner. Highlands Ranch: Pax Christi Coyne assumed his new duties the same Littleton: St. Frances Cabrini day as Cuenin’s departure Sept. 27.  Page 12 BONDINGS Volume 26 Number 3 Popular Catholic priest comes out to Louisiana parish as gay Dallas Voice people with “deep-seated’’ homosexual ten- In the letter he said that for years, he Morrison said he has kept his vows of January 13, 2006 dencies should be kept out of the priesthood. had counseled people struggling with their celibacy and is not in any romantic or sexual The following Saturday, the pews at sexual orientation to be honest about it with relationship. Being celibate and gay is not THIBODAUX, Lousiana — Deciding he his southern Louisiana church were full, people they love. against Catholic doctrine, so he does not had to practice the honesty he preached, a The Courier newspaper in nearby Houma “I have come to realize that while I was plan to resign, he said. popular priest has told his family, his bishop reported Sunday. encouraging others to be honest, I was not Nor is he being asked to, said Louis and the people in his parish that he is gay. As pastor, Morrison told the congrega- putting these words into practice in my own Aguirre, spokesman for the Diocese of The Rev. Jim Morrison said he had been tion, “I ask you constantly to trust me. I ask life,’’ Morrison wrote. Houma-Thibodaux. working since October on the letter which he you come to me with your life, all the bless- He said he wasn’t looking for attention or “He’s not being asked to do anything but sent early this month to 300 members of the ings, all the struggles.’’ approval but trying to be more true to him- to continue his ministry,’’ Aguirre said. congregation at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic “But it’s not a one-way street,’’ he said. self, God and those he serves. Morrison, a priest for more than 18 years, Church and 200 members of the student Morrison said he told his parents, four sisters “I thought it took a lot of courage,’’ Winnie has been pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas ministry at Nicholls State University. and two brothers before he mailed the letter. Faucheux of Thibodaux said after the Saturday Catholic Church at Nicholls State University He mailed the letter and handed his bish- “I wrestled with talking to my parents,’’ evening Mass. “I love him. I think he’s a won- for more than three.  op a copy on Jan. 2, about a month after the he said. But, he said, the family talks were derful person. I think the community’s going Vatican released a policy statement saying “very positive.’’ to grow from him being honest.’’ Proud to be celibate, gay priest He says church should rejoice that gay men are ready, willing to serve

By Renee K. Gadoua “The church is least faithful to Jesus when en, a women’s residential program, a used fur- said. “I thought it was a sin to even go there. I National Catholic Reporter it is in the business of excluding,” Daley said. niture store, a hospice and a program to help perceived that as a terrible threat to my priest- November 11, 2005 “The church should be rejoicing that gay men low-income people get prescription drugs in hood, which I loved.” are ready and willing to use their talents to the neighborhood near St. Francis. While on retreat a few weeks later, he told a It wasn’t until two years after his ordination energize the church. To deprive the church of Daley publicly disclosed his sexual orienta- spiritual adviser he was gay. as a Roman Catholic priest that Fr. Fred Daley these gifted men would be a terrible loss.” tion to a newspaper reporter a few days before “I was hoping he wouldn’t condemn me but acknowledged he might be gay. Daley says attention to sexual orientation he accepted an award from the United Way of would help me negate that feeling,” he recalled. “I was coming down the stairs for morning causes gay priests to be blamed for problems the Greater Utica Area in March 2004. A few “It was a desire to cleanse my feelings and Mass, and I felt this real deep ache and pain in in the church, including the clergy sexual days later, his congregation gave him a stand- thoughts so I could go on with my life.” the pit of my stomach,” he said. “It was the first abuse crisis and the shortage of priests. It ing ovation after an emotional homily in which He credits a 10-year prayerful relationship time I was recognizing an ache within that my also reinforces stereotypes of gays as immor- he described his struggle to accept his sexual with that spiritual adviser for helping him to activity and work and ministry was covering al and unable to control their sexual impuls- orientation. accept himself. up, and avoiding something.” es, Daley says. Daley said he had been grappling with “He helped me to accept my sexual orien- A light went on, he said. “To the extent the church uses outdated and going public for some time. He said he spent tation and recognize I was OK and that God “I began to become aware of my sexual feel- inaccurate information about homosexual ori- years hiding his nature, and felt dishonest. The created me that way,” he said. “Then I was able ings and desires,” he said. He was 27. entation, they are indirectly encouraging the feeling grew as he saw gays being blamed for to break through my homophobic fears in my Almost 30 years later—after a painful, oppression and physical violence against gays the sexual abuse scandal. heart and accept myself.” prayerful and mostly lonely journey—he dis- and lesbians,” Daley said. “I felt hypocritical as a gay priest being He said the struggle exists for all priests, closed his sexual orientation to his Utica con- He’s not in favor of outing other gay priests, silent,” he said. who need to confront their sexuality as they gregation in May 2004. but said the church needs to acknowledge both Silence about sex characterized his days as decide if they can live celibate lives. Worries Daley, pastor of St. Francis de Sales Church their numbers and their contributions. a seminarian. “It was the last days of very little about Vatican rules and rumors about weeding in Utica, N.Y., is the first priest in the seven- “There are a lot of us,” he said. time and energy spent on human sexuality and out gay seminarians create an atmosphere that county Syracuse diocese to publicly disclose he Daley said he loves his career. the commitment to celibacy,” Daley said. “I is neither Christlike nor healthy, he said. is gay. He is thought to be among a handful of “I feel blessed God gave me the gifts to be was totally out of touch with my sexuality.” “My fear is this approach is going to create gay priests in the country who have done so. a priest.” That wasn’t unusual, said Daley, who an atmosphere that encourages young men not As speculation grows that the Vatican is Daley, 58, grew up in Syracuse, where he attended the former Wadhams Hall Seminary to deal with those issues,” he said. “This is a ter- preparing a document that would bar some attended Catholic schools and was ordained in in Ogdensburg, N.Y., in the early 1970s. rible step backward.” gays from ordination, Daley said he’s proud to 1974. His assignments have included minister- “Straight or gay, repressing one’s sexuality Daley looks to the reaction to his disclosure be a celibate, gay priest. ing at St. Agnes and Blessed Sacrament, both was the way many handled it,” he said. “There as evidence that the church is ready to accept A forthcoming Vatican document on in Utica. He also served as regional vicar of was never any official interchange with the sys- gay priests. His bishop, James Moynihan, has homosexuals in seminaries will not—as some the diocese’s Eastern Region and as director of tem on sexuality and celibacy.” made no comment to him about the disclosure, media reported in September demand an vocations for the diocese from 1981 to 1988. While on vacation a few years after his he said. His own congregation has supported absolute ban on the ordination of homosexu- He has a reputation for advocating for ordination, Daley visited a gay bar and recog- him, and he’s received hundreds of supportive als, a senior Vatican official told NCR Oct. 7, social justice. In 1987, he led a group of 16 local nized the source of the ache in the pit of his notes from all over the country. but will insist that seminary officials exercise Catholics on a 10-day retreat in Nicaragua and stomach. “I’m not exaggerating,” he said. “Out of the “prudential judgment.” The official said the has been a vocal opponent of war. “I couldn’t even say the word homosexual hundreds of letters and phone calls, I received document will advise against ordaining a gay In September 2002, organizers of an inter- to myself,” he said. “But that solidified in my one letter, very polite, from a person concerned man if he has not been celibate for at least three faith service in Utica marking the first anni- heart that I was gay. I realized I was sexually I was going to hell and one telephone call, say- years, if he is part of a “gay culture,” or if his versary of the Sept. 11 attacks removed Daley attracted to them.” ing I was making the church look bad.” homosexual orientation is sufficiently “strong, as the main speaker after some criticized his It didn’t bring peace, though. Daley said he doesn’t regret his decision. permanent and univocal” as to make an all- advocacy on behalf of gays and for celebrating “I thought it was evil. I thought it was ter- “There’s such peace and freedom in my life male environment a risk. Masses that publicly welcome gay Catholics. rible,” he said. and inner feeling of integrity,” he said. “I hope Daley said many in the church—gay and But he is praised for supporting Utica’s “Ten minutes later I found the nearest I’m an example that being gay is not the end of straight—are concerned. Hospitality Row, which includes a soup kitch- Catholic church and went to confession,” he ministry.” 