B NDINGS Vol. 31, No. 4 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Winter 2011-2012 A monumental quest at a parish sculpted by compassion By Sean Kirst Daley, pastor at All Saints, intends to ask homosexual acts are inherently wrong, Church. The congregation was especially The Post-Standard local firefighters to attend the dedication. Daley said, but that a homosexual orien- moved by the stories of several gay men Syracuse, NY While the memorial will honor those tation is not. While a new state law has and women, who spoke of how they‘d July 26, 2011 killed on legalized same spent their lives feeling ostracized. Sept. 11, sex marriage in As a result, Ksander said a parish Syracuse, NY—Like most Ameri- Daley said New York, the committee came up with the statement of cans, Brother Edmund Dwyer was t he wa y church does not affirmation — and with the idea of a stunned by early coverage of the Sept.11, Judge lived recognize those statue. 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City his life carries ceremonies. Yet ―The parishioners were talking about and Washington D.C. As he struggled to special mean- officials with the how our young gay folk so often had no grasp the scope of the carnage, scrolling ing for the All Diocese of Syra- role models until recently, and (we) saw type along the bottom of his television Saints con- cuse say embrac- Mychal Judge as both an interesting per- screen announced the death of Rev. My- gregation. ing gay men and son and the ultimate example of a role chal Judge, a legendary New York City J u d g e women at a par- model,‖ said Daley, now seven years fire department chaplain. was a Catho- ish does not con- beyond his own decision to reveal that he For Dwyer, a vast tragedy became lic priest. tradict church was gay. He went public as a means of painfully real. After his teaching. support for young people struggling with ―He was a saint,‖ said Dwyer, 90, a death, several ―Our hope is that their own identity, he said, and to under- retired Brother of the Christian Schools close friends all parishes are so line that gay priests are not the cause of who resides at Christian Brothers Acad- said he was a welcoming, and the child abuse scandal in the church. emy in DeWitt. He worked closely with celibate gay it‘s certainly in While he knows his story undoubt- Judge during the 1980s, when both men man, which is line with who we edly draws some gay parishioners to All comforted dying AIDS patients in New also how are as Catholics,‖ Saints, he maintains the central factor is York City. Daley speaks said Danielle the open nature of the congregation. Judge was killed by flying debris at of himself. In Cummings, a ―I was a Buddhist for many years, the World Trade Center. ―He always June, after diocesan spokes- and now I‘m a returning Catholic, and wore his Franciscan robes, and he had a months of woman. that‘s because of the message of (All smiling face and a beautiful manner,‖ discussion, Paul Lawrence, Saints) which is so pure, so beautiful, so Dwyer said, recalling how Judge spent parishioners Father Mychal Judge, OFM 76, an All Saints tolerant and so spiritual in the grandest hours with young men who felt aban- at All Saints parishioner with a sense of the word,‖ said Michele Mosca- doned. As a tribute to his friend, Dwyer voted 256-3 to offer a statement of wel- gay son, said family experience taught Wells, a gay member of the parish. She‘s is serving on a committee at All Saints come to gays, lesbians and transgendered him a simple truth about the gay commu- also moved by the plans to build a statue Church in Syracuse, which intends to men and women. Daley said the vote nity: of Judge, who to her symbolizes the mis- honor Judge with a memorial. meshes with his beliefs on what it means ―Once you meet these folks, you sion of the church: A Canadian sculptor, Timothy to be a Christian. wouldn‘t say they were gay or not gay,‖ ―It‘s a wonderful affirmation,‖ she Schmalz, created a statue that depicts ―More and more, I‘ve been called in he said. ―You‘d just say they were aw- said, ―of being an authentic Catholic several firefighters carrying the body of my spiritual life and in my heart to iden- fully nice people.‖ community that embraces all and loves the Franciscan priest. If parishioners at tify with the powerless and with the bro- Meg Ksander, a staff member at All all.‖ All Saints can raise about $15,000, a ken, and I think some of that comes from Saints, said the journey toward the To help, contact the church by call- bronze rendering of the statue will be my own journey as a gay person,‖ Daley monument began last December, with a ing 472-9934 or by writing Rev. Fred unveiled outside the church on the 10th said. series of talks by parishioners who at Daley, the pastor, at 1340 Lancaster anniversary of the attacks. The Rev. Fred The Catholic Church teaches that some point felt excluded by the Catholic Ave., Syracuse, 13210.  Satan may cause homosexuality, writes Catholic official By Becky Garrison GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance disconnect prevalent between the Catho- damental dignity of God’s daughters and www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-faith/ Against Defamation) stated, ―The re- lic hierarchy and the Catholic commu- sons who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual. November 3, 2011 traction of Daniel Avila‘s column is in nity on LGBT issues.‖ These women and men--many of whom line with the majority of American Bryan Cones, Managing Editor, are members of the church through their According to multiple press reports, Catholics who are supportive of their U.S. Catholic magazine expounds on baptism--are no more in need of redemp- The Boston Pilot, the oldest Roman Catho- gay and lesbian family, friends, and how Avila‘s position within the USCCB tion than any other human being because lic newspaper in the country, apologized neighbors. We hope in the future that impacts the spiritual health of LGBT of their sexual orientation, and it is time and retracted an opinion column written by the Archdiocese will further messages Christians: for the U.S. bishops to say so in unequivo- Daniel Avila, policy advisor for Marriage of love and support for all members of “Gay, lesbian, and bisexual Chris- cal terms, especially now that one of their and Family at the United States Confer- the Church instead of such false and tians have long complained of the spiri- own employees has harmed lesbian, bisex- ence of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) sug- alienating statements.‖ Joseph Ward, tual violence’ done to them by tradi- ual, and gay people in such a profound gesting the devil may be responsible for Director, Believe Out Loud, a Christian tional Christian attitudes toward homo- and shocking way.” same-sex attraction. LGBT advocacy group, adds how these sexuality. The ideas expressed by Avila Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive In Avila‘s apology, he admitted ―his comments made by an employee of the are justly described as spiritual violence Director of DignityUSA, the nation‘s old- column does not represent the position of Catholic hierarchy ―underscores the because they call into question the fun- est and largest organization of LGBT the United States Conference of Catholic Catholics, expresses similar concerns that Bishops and the column was not author- a man with such extreme beliefs remains ized for publication as is required policy an advisor to the U.S. bishops, and will for staff of the USCCB.‖ Furthermore, he Avila Resigns still be permitted to write for the Pilot. professes, ―The church opposes, as I do According to Duddy-Burke, ―This shows too, all unjust discrimination and the vio- that Catholic officials are willing to go to WashingtonPost.com stance on marriage in Washington. lence against persons that unjust discrimi- extremes in their anti-gay campaign‖ add- November 4, 2011 Avila also apologized in a state- nation inspires. I deeply apologize for the ing that ―the Archdiocese of Boston and ment on Wednesday. ―The teaching hurt and confusion that this column has the USCCB should immediately terminate A policy adviser to the U.S. of Sacred Scripture and of the Cate- caused.‖ their relationship with Mr. Avila.‖ Catholic bishops‘ anti-gay-marriage chism of the Catholic Church make The Rev. James Martin, S.J., culture Even though Avila regrets penning initiative resigned on Friday (Nov. it clear that all persons are created in editor for America magazine, welcomed this column, there is little evidence that 4), a week after writing a column the image and likeness of God and Avila‘s apology but also commented on this is not part of a pattern of belief and that blamed Satan for homosexual- have inviolable dignity,‖ he said. the original article: ―Clearly Satan does not behavior. Wayne Besen of Truth Wins ity. ―I deeply apologize for the hurt cause people to be gay, any more than Sa- Out describes Avila‘s ―very aggressive Daniel Avila had been an on- and confusion that this column has tan causes people to be straight. God cre- and ambitious plans to use the Catholic staff adviser to the U.S. Conference caused,‖ Avila added. Avila also ates gays and lesbians, men and women Church to turn back the clock on LGBT of Catholic Bishops‘ Subcommittee said that his column did not reflect who should be loved for who they are.‖ equal rights.‖ For example, when Besen for the Promotion and Defense of the opinion of the Catholic bishops Here Martin draws upon the Catechism of attended the 2011 Values Voters Summit, Marriage since June. and was not authorized before publi- the Catholic Church which states that he filmed a speech by Avila on his iPhone Unofficially, Avila referred to cation. The USCCB has not taken an ―(homosexuals) must be accepted with that he believes reveals a substantial cam- himself as the ―bishops‘ marriage official position on the causes of respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every paign being organized on his part and guy‖ and represented the USCCB‘s homosexuality, Walsh said.  sign of unjust discrimination in their regard seemingly on behalf of the Catholic should be avoided.‖ Church.  When asked about Avila‘s column, Page 2 BONDINGS Vol. 31, No. 4 Archbishop Nichols Criticized B NDINGS over Comments on Civil Unions Winter 2011-2012 Vol. 31, No. 4 By Michael Sean Winters who work at agencies that Ncronline.org /blogs receive government funds December 7, 2011 can name anyone they Francis DeBernardo, Editor want to receive benefits, Archbishop Vincent Nich- provided that person lives Board of Directors ols is being attacked by some with them legally. It can Mary Byers conservative Catholics for re- be an unemployed cousin, Matthew Myers marks he made regarding civil a retired aunt, or a same Ryan Sattler unions for same-sex partners, sex partner. according to a report at Vatican The beauty of this solution Board of Advisors Insider. is that is allows the Cornelius Hubbuch, CFX This is silly. The Church to avoid acting Anna Koop, SL Archbishop did not endorse against any of its teach- Elizabeth Linehan, RSM civil unions, which are already ings. If Levada had drawn Anthony LoGalbo, OFM the law of the land, but he in- a line in the sand and de- Patricia McDermott, RSM sisted that they allow some of cided the archdiocese the objectives sought by those would not give health care seeking same-sex marriage in benefits to anyone, that Staff the UK and are, in his estima- would have contradicted Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director tion, a preferable alternative to the Church's teaching that Dwayne Fernandes, Associate Director changing the legal definition of health care is a basic hu- marriage. More importantly, man right. And, the solu- Co-Founders how is what Abp Nichols said tion he worked out does Sr. Jeannine Gramick different from what then-Abp, not require the Church to Rev. Robert Nugent now Cardinal, William Levada Archbishop Vincent Nichols acknowledge any relation- endorsed when, as Abp of San Francisco, ships which it might find morally Bondings is a seasonal publication designed he worked out a compromise with the city government objectionable. It was brilliant and, not unimportantly, theo- to keep our subscribers informed of issues regarding the extension of health care and other benefits to logically bullet-proof, signed off on at the time, and in that pertain to lesbian and gay people same sex partners? Levada and the city agreed that those subsequent iterations, by then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. and the Catholic Church.

Founded in 1977, New Ways Ministry is an educational and bridge-building What Nichols Said: ministry of reconciliation between the Catholic gay and lesbian community Archbishop Praises Civil Unions and the institutional structures in the Roman Catholic Church. The Tablet ―We would want to emphasise that civil partner- New Ways Ministry seeks to eradicate London, England ships actually provide a structure in which people of November 25, 2011 the same sex who want a lifelong relationship [and] a prevalent myths and stereotypes lifelong partnership can find their place and protection about homosexuality and supports civil The Bishops of England and Wales believe civil and legal provision,‖ Archbishop Vincent Nichols said rights for lesbian and gay persons in society. partnerships successfully provide a legal protection at a press conference after the Bishops‘ Conference of for those in same-sex relationships, according to the England and Wales meeting last week.  Archbishop of Westminster. New Ways Ministry 4012 29th Street Mount Rainier, Maryland 20712 (301) 277-5674 [email protected] The Loud Few and the Loving Many

By Michael O’Loughlin last spring, he didn't make special note of being gay. His AmericaMagazine.org/blog closest friends knew, and that seemed enough. Over the November 4, 2011 summer, though, he decided he owed it to other young gay people to be more candid, so he opened up in the student TO SUBSCRIBE I've read a couple different stories over the last few newspaper last week, despite worrying about how his can- COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORM days that offer a glimpse into the polarization of the Catho- dor might affect his conservative Catholic family. lic Church on certain issues, in this case homosexuality "This story needs to be shared," he said. "It's for the and the place of gay people in the Church. gay youth, especially those thinking about taking their Enclosed is: First was the news that The Pilot, the newspaper of the lives. I want to let them know I'm in a position of influence Archdiocese of Boston, ran an opinion column in which at a Catholic university, the largest Catholic university in _____ $25.00 in the US or Canada Daniel Avila, an employee of the USCCB, said that homo- the country, and I have all this support. I want to tell them, sexuality may well be the work of the devil. From the 'You can come out too.'" _____ $35.00 outside US or Canada SFGate: Alfano, of course, has his detractors, but he says that In the column, Avila says "the scientific evidence of his experience has been overwhelmingly positive, with _____ I wish to receive Bondings, how same-sex attraction most likely may be created pro- support from the University community. It is a credit to but cannot donate at this time. vides a credible basis for a spiritual explanation that indicts Catholic universities in the US, beacons of hope for Catho- the devil." lics here, that DePaul released this statement: It also says "disruptive imbalances in nature that "Anthony is a remarkable young man and student Name ______thwart encoded processes point to supernatural actors who, leader," said an official DePaul statement, "and we hope unlike God, do not have the good of persons at heart." It that his candor helps other young people facing these is- Address ______says that when "natural causes disturb otherwise typical sues to feel comfortable discussing their orientation with biological development, leading to the personally uncho- family and friends." City ______sen beginnings of same-sex attraction, the ultimate respon- The Catholic Church in the US is a big tent if there sibility, on a theological level, is and should be imputed to ever were one, so it is not surprising that the range of opin- State ______the evil one, not God." ions on certain subjects is wide. These two anecdotes offer Both Avila and The Pilot apologized for the column; a glimpse into that range. Though it would be naive to use Telephone ______The Pilot said the claim was contradictory to Church them to make too large a claim, it is hopeful that the indi- teaching and presented theological errors. Today, the viduals involved in the DePaul story represent the genera- Email ______USCCB said that it had accepted Avila's offer to resign. tion that will supplant those involved in the first episode. Regardless of Avila's official employment status with Taken together, these two stories represent my own the Catholic Church, it is clear that some within the experience in the Church. There are the few who readily Please make check payable to ―New Ways Church still believe that gay men and women are demonic; denounce those who are different from the norm. But Ministry‖. Outside the US, please use only are less than images of God; and are not worthy of the dig- alongside those individuals are the many who stand ready checks drawn on a US bank in US dollars or nity that by the Church's own teachings should be afforded to welcome people where they are, to affirm their gifts, and go to www.newwaysministry.org. to all human beings. It is doubtful that Avila's views are to walk alongside them without judgement or callousness.

Mail to: unique to him. Sadly it seems that the few have the loudest mics available New Ways Ministry Now contrast that with this story from the Chicago to them. But when I search just a bit, it's not too difficult to 4012 29th Street Tribune that profiles Anthony Alfano, the first openly gay find the many, and that is where the Church truly lives.  Mount Rainier, MD 20712 student body president of DePaul University, the nation's largest Roman Catholic university. From the article: See related stories, pages 1 and 5. When Alfano ran for student government president Winter 2011-2012 BONDINGS Page 3 Conversation on sexuality begins Though some note missing voices, first session draws praise

By Alice Popovici specific first time I learned that being the decision she made in 1998 to lead a conversation?‖ Ncronline.org gay was not OK, or even when I learned life of celibacy in keeping with the teach- Joe Moreshead, a 20-year-old phi- September 27, 2011 what being gay was, but I can tell you ings of the Catholic church. losophy student at Fordham who is con- thousands of stories about learning that Deb Word of Memphis, Tenn., sidering entering the priesthood, said he NEW YORK -- One night during heterosexuality was right. About all the talked about her gay son, who ―is Catho- was surprised by the direction of the con- Holy Week last year, Kate Henley emphasis on marriage,‖ said Averett, lic in a way that doesn‘t let the church versations. ―I expected it to be a discus- Averett was too upset to sleep, so she sat who is 29 and studying for her doctorate get in the way,‖ and about volunteering sion of church teaching, but instead it at her computer and wrote what she calls in sociology at the University of Texas in at a shelter for gay and lesbian teens, kind of assumed that church teaching her ―breakup letter with the Catholic Austin. ―It who wouldn‘t be was wrong -- and I wasn‘t expecting church.‖ It began: ―My heart is so heavy wasn‘t about safe in city shelters. that,‖ he said. ―I didn‘t agree with a lot right now I‘d swear it was causing seri- being told, Fr. John Duffell, of of their [panelists‘] conclusions, but I ous damage to my other internal organs. ‗You‘re wrong New York City‘s was impressed with its thoughtfulness.‖ I feel like I can‘t quite catch my breath. and you‘re Church of the As- Overall, audience members -- in- It‘s not quite that I can‘t breathe, but that bad,‘ but about cension, said he cluding theology students, retirees and I can‘t seem to be able to breathe deeply being told believes ―the church others mingling at a reception before the enough -- like if I could just get one giant what is right is perhaps the only evening panel -- praised the event. gulp of air in my body, it would feel bet- and what is way of affecting ―It‘s very encouraging to me be- ter, normal, not so tight, not so heavy. good, and not change in the cause it‘s coming from an institution of Do Catholics who leave the church al- feeling like I world,‖ but he higher learning,‖ said 82-year-old Erma ways feel like this?‖ fit into that.‖ added: ―The church Durkin of Maryland. ―The church better She wrote about the teachings that H i l a r y is not perfect.‖ To start catching up with them.‖ inspired her and about the hierarchy‘s Howes, a 56- Audience members talk during a break at the an audience member Bill, a 77-year-old retired naval offi- cover-up of priests‘ abuses, and about year-old event “Learning to Listen: Voices of Sexual Diversity who asked, in writing, cer from New Jersey, said the event was and the Catholic Church” conference at Fordham feeling worn down. ―I no longer look to designer and trans- University in New York Sept. 16 how he should deal ―a great eye-opener,‖ and added: ―I get a the church and see any of my values, my gender activist with the feeling that certain consolation from realizing that priorities, my convictions reflected back from Washington, D.C., who said she he is ―broken‖ after being told he cannot there were a lot of people growing up as at me,‖ she wrote. ―This place has be- was born ―with male genitalia and a fe- enter the priesthood because he is gay, I did, with the same problems, the same come too foreign to me, and I can no male brain,‖ talked about the unique po- Duffell answered: ―You‘re not broken, uncertainty, the same pain.‖ Bill, who longer call it home.‖ Averett said she sition of transsexual people who are the system is broken, and therefore you attended with his partner, asked to be sent the letter off immediately that night, Catholic. Howes ―transitioned to live as a deal with it as a broken system; you lie.‖ identified only by first name because without editing a word, in an e-mail to a woman‖ through a sex-change operation A few audience members posted some family members don‘t know he is few people who were important to her. 16 years ago, and was baptized and con- updates, questions and criticism on Twit- gay. On Sept. 16, she read it to a couple firmed as a Catholic eight years ago. ―[I] ter, under the hashtag #mtam2011. Fordham theology professor Chris- hundred people gathered at Fordham remain in my Catholic marriage of 33 ―Interesting start. But where are the col- tine Firer Hinze, a member of the faculty University‘s Lincoln Center campus in years, to the most understanding woman lars? Is a convo between the marginal- planning committee who organized the New York for a conference titled in the world -- making ours one of the ized moving the ball forward?‖ asked conference, estimated that about 400 ―Learning to Listen: Voices of Sexual few same-sex marriages affirmed by the LLebrija. people filtered in and out of the audito- Diversity and the Catholic Church.‖ It Roman Catholic church,‖ Howes contin- According to New Ways Ministry: rium throughout the day, including a few was the first of a four-part series of con- ued, drawing laughs from the audience. ―Fr. Duffell: as a way of welcome, he Catholic priests. She said the panelists ferences meant to expand the conversa- (A 2003 Catholic News Service article, frequently mentions sexual orientation in were not ―a perfect representation of tion on lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans- discussing a secret Vatican document on homilies. Response to him is positive.‖ everyone in the church,‖ but that ―our gender issues within the Catholic church, the matter, said that the church may con- From Paul Snatchko: ―Spoke with a approach to this was that the Catholic to bring more voices out into the open so tinue to recognize a marriage even after @Fordham senior during reception at church teaching is the context for this the conversation becomes, like the title one of the partners has a sex-change op- #mtam2011. He made a good point: there whole conversation.‖ of the series, ―More Than a Monologue‖ eration. To read the article, visit the NCR are no undergraduate voices on any of ―What was very striking to me and -- ―monologue‖ referring to the voice Web site: NCRonline.org/node/26662.) the panels.‖ moving,‖ Hinze said, ―was the love for and perspective of the Catholic church. The stories came from other vantage Snatchko later tweeted: ―The eve- the Catholic church that came through in (More details are available at points as well. Eve Tushnet, a D.C.- ning panel at #mtam2011 also has no all the voices.‖  www.morethanamonologue.org.) based writer who called herself ―openly conservative voices. All speakers in ―I can‘t pinpoint in my memory the gay and faithfully Catholic‖ talked about agreement. What happened to having a Upon Return From Vatican, New Blog Traces Ups and Downs of Mexican Bishop Vows LGBT People and Catholic Church MOUNT RAINIER, Maryland--A Clinton‘s Human Rights Day Address on To Continue Gay Outreach new blog, focused on a positive Catholic LGBT issues (see page 10), the contro- approach to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and versy brewing in the United Kingdom Ontopmag.com transgender (LGBT) issues has been and Australia as Catholic bishops there September 12, 2011 started by New Ways Ministry, a 34-year break rank with the Vatican and support

-old national Catholic ministry of justice civil unions for lesbian/gay couples, the Raul Vera Lopez, the Catholic bishop and reconciliation which works at build- discussion in the U.S. surrounding reli- of Saltillo, Mexico has vowed to continue ing bridges between the LGBT commu- gious liberty and marriage equality, and his outreach to the gay community. nity and the Catholic Church. even a popular post which views the The Vatican had summoned the Entitled Bondings 2.0 and found at Catholic feast of the Immaculate Con- bishop to Rome to inquire about a gay- www.NewWaysMinistryBlog@wordpres ception through the lens of gay spiritual- inclusive group of Catholics headed by s.com, the site strives to provide up-to- ity. Additionally, the blog has started a Noe Ruiz. the minute information, opinions, and feature entitled ―ALL ARE WEL- Vera publicly affiliated his diocese reflections for people interested in the COME,‖ a series of posts focusing on with the group and sponsored its film fes- intersection of Catholicism with sexual developing Catholic parishes, schools, tivals, which lead to harsh criticism from and gender minorities. and colleges as gay-friendly institutions. the Peru-based Catholic news agency, ACI ―News about the Catholic Church The blog title, Bondings 2.0¸is an Prensa. and LGBT issues is happening almost allusion to New Ways Ministry‘s tabloid Vera told El Universal on Sunday every day,‖ said Francis DeBernardo, newsletter, Bondings, which has been that the Vatican had not reprimanded him. New Ways Ministry Executive Director published continuously since 1978. The ―It is no surprise that the Church sup- and blog editor. ―Catholics are making title was given to that newsletter to em- ports sexual diversity because there are at an important difference in so many phasize that the work of the organization least 50 dioceses in the United States LGBT discussions both in the church and was to strengthen the ―bond‖ between the serving gay communities,‖ Vera said. in greater society. They need to have lesbian/gay community and the Catholic He said that Vatican officials simply access to information at their fingertips Church. ―We named the blog Bondings made observations about his work, but the Bishop Raul Vera immediately.‖ 2.0 to signal that we are maintaining the bishop did not elaborate. calo Saltillo. ―We work with [the gay ―Because the blog is interactive, we same tradition as our printed newsletter, ―I will not abandon these children,‖ community] to help them recover their are able to have a conversation with our though now in a more 21st century com- he added, referring to children with gay human dignity, which is frequently at- constituents and supporters,‖ DeBer- munication format. ‗2.0‘ is computer- parents. ―We cannot abandon people who tacked at home and in society, and they nardo added. ―We can all learn from speak for a new version,‖ DeBernardo depend on us.‖ are treated like filthy people.‖ each other. We hope to make this blog a explained. Earlier, Vera chided ACI Prensa, “Some would like to weaken my community for Catholics interested in To receive email notices about blog which had claimed Vera supported groups work on behalf of vulnerable groups, advancing the discussion of LGBT is- updates, go to NewWaysMinistry- that advocate for marriage between mem- that is what they want, but I'm going to sues.‖ Blog.wordpress.com and click the bers of the same sex and abortion. go ahead in the struggle for human dig- The blog, which is updated daily, ―Follow‖ button in the first box of the ―In the Diocese of Saltillo, we have nity which is the principle of the Gos- has already garnered some attention from top right column.  very clear objectives,‖ Vera told the Zo- pel,‖ he added.  postings about the Catholicity of Hilary Page 4 BONDINGS Vol. 31, No. 4 $1 million gift for Georgetown University LGBTQ center By Lou Chibbaro, Jr. person, and we are very and said it would have a beneficial impact Washingtonblade.com pleased to support its ser- on LGBT-related programs and centers at October 31, 2011 vices that provide a safe, colleges across the country, especially inclusive and respectful en- other religious institutions. Former NFL Commissioner Paul J. vironment for LGBTQ stu- ―To have someone of Paul Tagli- Tagliabue and his wife, Chandler Tagli- dents and promote their ac- abue‘s stature and reputation make this abue, have donated $1 million to ceptance in the entire cam- commitment is a huge validation and en- Georgetown University for the creation pus community,‖ the Tagli- dorsement of the necessity, value, and of a new program to assist LGBT stu- abues said in the statement. importance of the work we do,‖ Subbara- dents. The $1 million gift for man told the Blade. ―Paul and Chan‘s gen- In a statement released on Oct. 26, the LGBT student life initia- erosity – their courage and vision – sets an the university said the gift will establish tive is part of an overall $5 incredible example of the importance of the Tagliabue Initiative for LGBT Life: million donation the Tagli- our allies,‖ she said. ―Given his stature in Fostering Formation and Transforma- abues made to Georgetown the world of athletics, this is even more tion, which will be overseen by George- University that will fund powerful.‖ town University‘s LGBTQ Resource other university programs Subbaraman said that similar to the Center. such as undergraduate LGBTQ Center‘s current programs, the The LGBTQ Resource Center, the scholarships, including ath- new initiative funded by the Tagliabues first such center at a Catholic university, letic scholarships. will operate under the supervision of the opened on the Georgetown campus in Sivagami Shiva Sub- university‘s Vice President of Student 2008. baraman, director of George- Flanking Sivagami Subbaraman, director of Georgetown’s Affairs. She said the center‘s work is car- ―The Center is inspired by Catholic town‘s LGBTQ Resource Cen- LGBTQ Resource Center, are donors, Chandler and Paul ried out ―consistent with, observant of, and Jesuit principles of respect for the ter, called the Tagliabues‘ gift Tagliabue. Jesuit values and principles of education‖ dignity of all and education of the whole ―exciting and wonderful news‖ and in collaboration with the university‘s Office of Mission and Ministry. She said details of the new initiative Gay-friendly Catholic will be worked out over the next several months but that she envisions ―some form of a hybrid academic/student life pro- Colleges and Universities gram.‖ In collaboration with their gay son, Below is a list of known gay-friendly Catholic colleges and universities, that is, those Catholic institu- Drew Tagliabue, Paul and Chan Tagliabue tions that have some type of gay/lesbian student group, support group, ally group, etc. If you are aware have also been supportive of the organiza- of such a college that is known as welcoming to gay/lesbian people, please let us know. tion Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), according to PFLAG offi- Alabama Massachusetts Sparkill: St. Thomas Aquinas College cials. Liz Owen, communications director Mobile: Spring Hill College Boston: Emmanuel College, Boston Col- Syracuse: LeMoyne College for PFLAG‘s national office in Washing- lege Queens: St. John‘s University ton, said the Metro D.C. PFLAG chapter California Chestnut Hill: Boston College honored the Tagliabues in 2009 with its Belmont: Notre Dame de Namur University Chicopee: Elms College Ohio Spotlight Award recognizing their support Goleta: St. Mark‘s University Easton: Stonehill College Cincinnati: Xavier University for the group.  Los Angeles: Loyola Marymount Univer- North Andover: Merrimack College Cleveland Heights: John Carroll University sity, Mount Saint Mary‘s College Weston: Regis College Dayton: University of Dayton Moraga: St. Mary‘s College Worcester: Assumption College, Pepper Pike: Ursuline College Queer on Campus Ranchos Palos Verde: Marymount College College of the Holy Cross South Euclid: Notre Dame College San Diego: University of San Diego Sylvania: Lourdes College (Continued from page 12) San Francisco: University of San Fran- Michigan versity of San Diego in 2001, McGuire cisco Detroit: University of Detroit Mercy Oregon wondered just how revealing she could be Santa Clara: Santa Clara University Grand Rapids: Aquinas College Marylhurst: Marylhurst University about her sexuality. Portland: University of Portland ―I had my doubts and I believed I Colorado Minnesota probably needed to stay in the closet be- Denver: Regis University Collegeville: St. John‘s University Pennsylvania cause it was a Catholic university,‖ she Duluth: College of St. Scholastica Cresson: Mount Aloysius College said. Connecticut Minneapolis: College of St. Catherine Dallas: Misericordia University Having grown up in a strong Catholic Fairfield: Fairfield University, St. Joseph: College of Saint Benedict Erie: Mercyhurst College family in Buffalo, N.Y., Ms. McGuire had Sacred Heart University St. Paul: St. Thomas University Greensburg: Seton Hill University long struggled to find a venue in which New Haven: Albertus Magnus College Winona: St. Mary‘s University of Minne- Philadelphia: Chestnut Hill College, she could talk about the issue of sexuality West Hartford: Saint Joseph College sota LaSalle University, St. Joseph‘s and Catholicism with the help of a support University group. District of Columbia Missouri Pittsburgh: Carlow University, After coming to USF, things began to Georgetown University, Trinity University Kansas City: Avila University, Duquesne University change for the better. McGuire and a Rockhurst University Radnor: Cabrini College group of 12 USF faculty members formed Florida St. Louis: Fontbonne University, Reading: Alvernia University a caucus to aid LGBTQ members in their Miami Gardens: St. Thomas University St. Louis University Scranton: Marywood University quest to ―form an adult relationship with Miami Shores: Barry University Villanova: Villanova University the Church.‖ Montana ―When I visit other Catholic cam- Hawaii Helena: Carroll College Rhode Island puses, they have trouble talking about Honolulu: Chaminade University Newport: Salve Regina University their sexuality,‖ said McGuire. ―Here, I Nebraska Providence: Providence College think we [USF] are starting to do a better Illinois Omaha: Creighton University job of reconciling both religion and sexu- Chicago: DePaul University, Texas ality.‖ Loyola University, St. Xavier University New Hampshire Austin: Saint Edward‘s University Nevertheless, the push to incorporate Joliet: University of St. Francis Manchester: St. Anselm College San Antonio: University of the Incarnate the LGBTQ community at USF has been River Forest: Dominican University in Nashua: Rivier College Word, gradual, and in the eyes of some students Illinois Our Lady of the Lake University at the roundtable, not committed enough. Romeoville: Lewis University New Jersey Andy Berlin, a Theology major, had Caldwell: Caldwell College Vermont been skeptical of the acceptance of St. Indiana Jersey City: St. Peter‘s College Colchester: Saint Michael‘s College Ignatius Church toward gay members of Notre Dame: Holy Cross College, St. South Orange: Seton Hall the community. For Berlin, the Mary‘s Washington ―juxtaposition‖ between the conservative College, University of Notre Dame New York Lacey: St. Martin‘s College stance of many Catholic Churches and the Albany: College of Saint Rose Seattle: Seattle University activism college students showed against Iowa Brooklyn and Patchogue: Spokane: Gonzaga University Proposition 8 was one he thought couldn‘t Davenport: St. Ambrose University St. Joseph College coexist. Dubuque: Loras College Bronx: Fordham University, West Virginia Despite the issue of St. Ignatius, how- Manhattan College Wheeling: Wheeling Jesuit University ever, Berlin, who was raised by a single, Kentucky Buffalo: Canisius College lesbian, Catholic mother, has found the Louisville: Spalding University, Loudonville: Sienna College Wisconsin University and the classroom to be accept- Bellarmine University New Rochelle: College of New Rochelle, De Pere: St. Norbert College ing of the LGBTQ lifestyle. According to Iona College Madison: Edgewood College Berlin, for some the idea of a gay Theol- Louisiana Poughkeepsie: Marist College Milwaukee: Alverno College, ogy major seems incompatible. New Orleans: Loyola University Riverdale: College of Mount St. Vincent Cardinal Stritch University, ―Coming to this university, I‘ve re- Rochester: Nazareth College of Rochester, Marquette University discovered an appreciation for my faith,‖ Maryland St. John Fisher College said Berlin. ―I actually feel the Theology Baltimore: College of Notre Dame of St. Bonaventure: St. Bonaventure Univer- Canada major has the most queer-friendly staff.‖ Maryland, Loyola College of Maryland sity Toronto: Regis College  Winter 2011-2012 BONDINGS Page 5 DePaul SGA president speaks on coming out, feels right at home By Natalia Hernandez institution, I think it's Rev. Dennis Holt- thing with the provost resigning; we are DePauliaOnLine.com awesome that they schneider, C.M., in every one of those conversations." October 24, 2011 offer so much for gay President of DePaul Alfano is working on behalf of stu- students. I specifically University, said, dents like sophomore Khloe Battle. Anthony Alfano, the president of the picked DePaul be- "Good for him. An- "I don't feel that DePaul allows the Student Government Association (SGA) cause of its diversity," thony is a fine young same benefits concerning race," she said. drew in a long sip from his water bottle. he said. "For me, di- man and very effec- "Being that I am an African-American, I He twisted his head to the ceiling and versity wasn't just tive SGA president. feel that there should be a stronger sense closed his brown eyes. For a second, he various shades of skin We're proud that he's of community for ‗us,' but there isn't. was silent. Anthony smiled and with or ethnicities but di- part of the DePaul DePaul touches organizations like BSU confidence said, "I came out on October versity in a sense that family." with a 10-foot pole. I say this to mean 4th, 2008, at a freshman retreat called everyone has different Alfano personally sits (and this is my opinion), that DePaul is ‗Escape.'" experiences than me in on every major mildly interested in our culture." Alfano is the first openly gay presi- or even different committee within the Alfano hopes to pass an initiative dent of SGA at DePaul, a 113-year-old views on life." university. He is the that would allow him to implement a Catholic institution. "You can be in a only student represen- health and wellness office that would be "Coming out and being in the posi- position of power and tation in the Strategic a haven that would serve a wide variety tion that I am, I think it's super important people can respect Resource Allocation of students' concerns while promoting that students who either identify that you. You can be an SGA President Anthony Alfano poses Committee (SRAC) education and access to resources. way, or don't, hear this story," he said. influence in the world with Vice President Kendall Raymond. where nine voting mem- "I think a year definitely gives me a As a senior, double majoring in po- and it really does ‗get Alfano is the first openly gay president bers draw up the year's chance to really start a huge conversation litical science and international studies, better.'" of Student Government Association at budget with students' around issues that the university may be DePaul University, the nation's largest Alfano described his newly acquired Alfano says he is Catholic university. tuition dollars. afraid of taking," he said. position at SGA as a full-time job. adamant about improv- "We do everything "I work for students, so I can't get But being in a position of power for ing the conditions of the university when you can think of that's advocating on fired. If you don't like something at your Alfano means leading by example and it comes to diversity, awareness and students behalf. Whether it's something school that you're paying all this money inspiring the LGBT community in light seeking a better environment for indi- with tuition or the budgeting, whether it's for, let us know, because we can try and of its recent spikes in high suicide rates. viduals who are not allotted the same new policy that's going to be imple- help change that for you."  "Being that this is a religious-based opportunities as other students. mented, it's anything with facilities, any- Decade after defiance, Jeannine Gramick as hopeful as ever By Jamie L Manson Rolling Stones widely considered one of fectly so that their hands were in the cen- our conscientious objections to church Ncronline.org the greatest rock and roll movies. ter of the frame. authorities. July 11, 2011 With Maysles behind the camera, The scene captures a living example ―It‘s following the call of God,‖ she Rick followed Gramick for over two of the beatitudes. Watching Gramick says. ―It‘s thinking, studying, praying, in It‘s been more than a decade since years. They shot some candid, amusing engage the protestor, one understands order to come to a decision which may or the Vatican attempted to silence Sr. scenes, like Gramick‘s morning exercise how blessed peacemakers truly are. Their not be what a moral authority teaches. Jeannine Gramick and Fr. Robert Nugent regimen and her friend‘s poking fun at joined hands brilliantly exemplify why It‘s a positive thing. It‘s obedience to the from their work with gay and lesbian her new, ―poofy‖ hairdo. But they also Jesus asks us to love our enemies and Spirit.‖ Catholics. captured pray for While she maintains a remarkably Though Nugent agreed in 2000 to c o m p e l - those who hopeful disposition toward the institu- abide by the church‘s prohibition on ling mo- persecute tional church, Gramick isn‘t unrealistic. speaking and writing about homosexual- m e n t s , us. With When asked by an audience member ity, Gramick politely declined. In a state- like when her pa- whether she thought a greater acceptance ment that has become a mantra for many Gramick t i e n c e , of gays and lesbians by the hierarchy was Catholics who seek reforms in the insti- e n c o u n - Gramick on the horizon, Gramick said that she tutional church, Gramick responded, ―I ters anti- f i n d s believes change will happen because choose not to collaborate in my own op- gay pro- c o mp a s - change is part of church history. pression.‖ testors on sion for ―But because I know church history, A newspaper story about her strug- a picket this man I know change takes centuries,‖ she says. gle with the Vatican caught the eye of a line dur- and to- Of course, she cannot leave that straight, feminist, New York filmmaker. ing the g e t h e r thought without a positive spin. Barbara Rick, herself a lapsed Catholic, U.S. bish- they are ―We are planting seeds for change at was stunned by the nun‘s courageous ops‘ 2002 able to the upper level of leadership,‖ she said. story of defiance. ―A woman standing up m e e t i n g find mu- Gramick reminded her listeners that be- to the church really got to me,‖ she told in Dallas. tual re- fore Vatican II, scholars and liturgists the audience. T h e spect for spent years laying the groundwork for Rick‘s nonprofit documentary com- p i c k e t their mu- the reforms brought about by the Coun- pany, Out of the Blue Films, is ―devoted line scene Barbara Rick and Sr. Jeannine Gramick speak during a session at tual love cil. Vatican II, she said, was ―more evo- to exceptional storytelling that explores, is the most New York's Strand bookstore June 22, 2011. o f t h e lutionary than revolutionary.‖ articulates, and celebrates humanity.‖ popular epi- Church. Gramick is also honest about the Like a true documentarian, she saw film sode in the movie, Rick told the audience For Gramick, the scene shows how fears plaguing the laity when faced with in Gramick‘s story. at the Strand. It‘s also a scene that almost crucial it is to establish a personal con- challenging the clergy: ―It‘s hard to go Four years later, In Good Con- didn‘t happen. nection with our ―opponents‖ before against those we have been trained to science: Sister Jeannine’s Journey of ―I didn‘t want to go talk to the pro- engaging in heavy intellectual disagree- think are ‗the experts.‘ But we have to Faith premiered at Lincoln Center as part testors…I don‘t like conflict,‖ Gramick ments with them. It is an opportunity learn to trust God within us.‖ of the 2004 Independents Night series. laughingly admitted. But Rick knew well increasingly lost in our virtual age where As greater numbers of lay people Gramick and Rick reunited in Man- that all films need tension, so she sent detractors can viciously attack one an- discover the courage of their convictions, hattan during New York City‘s Pride Gramick over to talk with a particularly other anonymously, for all web surfers to the church will continue to change be- Week this year in a program titled ―Clips impassioned picketer. Her good direction read. cause ―the church‖ is the people of God. and Conversation,‖ hosted by the Strand, proved to be revelatory. Reflecting on the clip of this scene, ―When we started this work, only 20 a legendary independent book store in Gramick approaches the man, Rick still seemed struck by the power of percent of Catholics believed in equal the heart of Union Square. Seeing the named Michael, who is protesting gay its example: ―Until Sister Jeannine, I rights for gays and lesbians,‖ Gramick chemistry between the pair, with their priests, and tries to converse with him. have never met anyone who is able to get said. ―Now it‘s over 73 percent. . . . The equal wit and passion for justice, it is At first, he is belligerent, insisting that this positive message across and follow church is moving.‖ little wonder they were able to create a there is an underground gay agenda ruin- her conscience and what she believes in So, these days, when Gramick is film that is as humorous and playful as it ing the priesthood. Gramick, seemingly without rancor… To do this work with- asked what the church believes, she al- is moving and inspiring. with little effort, interacts with Michael out any venom…it‘s pretty close to Je- ways tells the person what the majority Rick recounted the story of bringing at a human level. sus.‖ of the members of the Catholic commu- aboard Albert Maysles, considered by After they talk for a while, he real- For Gramick it is rancor that sepa- nity believe, rather than the teachings of many the ―dean of documentary film- izes that he is speaking to Sister rates the holy anger of a prophet from the hierarchy. making,‖ to shoot the film. During a Gramick, a woman he asked his bishop destructive anger. For Gramick, it is more important meeting with Maysles, Rick ran through to remove from diocesan property years ―Anger that eats you up inside and than ever that the laity exercise their con- a bunch of ideas for film projects. ago when she offered a retreat to parents makes you feel badly about yourself and sciences because that is what truly leads Gramick‘s story made him sit up in his of gays and lesbians. A flash of sorrow the person you‘re angry at,‖ she says, is to change. seat and ask eagerly, ―Do you have any- runs across his face as Gramick gently unhealthy for the spirit. ―But anger that Harkening back to her film‘s title, one to shoot it?‖ tells him how much that action hurt the makes you want to do something posi- she reminded the audience, ―That‘s what Grasping Maysles attention was no families. tive, anger that ‗puts gas in your tank‘ is conscience is. It‘s the voice of God small feat given that his works include Though they ultimately cannot agree the type of anger that leads to justice.‖ speaking in our hearts. We need to trust the cult classic Grey Gardens, a riveting on their beliefs about homosexuality, Though the film centers on that and not separate ourselves from the portrait of an eccentric mother and they are able to hold hands and pray the Gramick‘s defiance of the Church‘s spiritual treasures of the church. That‘s daughter secluded in a deteriorating man- Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be to edict, she believes it‘s time to move be- our spiritual heritage.‖  sion, and Gimme Shelter, a profile of the God. Maysles positions the camera per- yond negative terms when we talk about Page 6 BONDINGS Vol. 31, No. 4 My path to reconciling Catholic faith and homosexuality

By Teri Guelcher people the dignity and respect that I be- several committed and loving gay cou- rently helping the person she loves battle www.pennlive.com lieve in my heart Jesus would give them ples in our lives who have served as role cancer. Mechanicsburg, PA unconditionally. models for us. My brother and his partner have July 17, 2011 You know how they say ―the straw These couples have taught us about been committed lovingly to each other that broke the camel‘s back.‖ I think this for almost 30 years and have been a con- While reading The Patriot-News straw has broken my back and also my “Every person is stant support and example to everyone in opinion page on June 30 with an editorial spirit. our family and in their community. They and cartoon on gay marriage, I literally Everything I believe about the teach- a child of God and are two of the most caring and selfless felt the "wind go out of my sails" on this ings of Jesus and the way he wanted us men I have ever known. journey I'm making through life. to treat people seems a complete contra- every person This past spring they were asked by You see, I grew up a Catholic, one diction to what I hear the Catholic whether our daughter and her husband to be the of nine children, the oldest actually. My Church leadership say about gay people. godfathers for their little girl and they husband and I have been married for 40 It‘s certainly not what I feel most gay, lesbian, proudly accepted. years and yep, you guessed it, it hasn't Catholics believe or support. I guess this straight, bisexual or The Lutheran Church where she was always been easy, but with the love and is where faith and religion meet a ―fork baptized welcomed them with open support of family and good friends we've in the road‖ and choices must be made, transgendered arms. This for me represents the true managed to raise four terrific children, and I already believe ―they will make the Christian love that Christ spoke of so three sons and one daughter and now difference‖ at least for this believer. has a meaningful many centuries ago and to me an exam- have six beautiful grandchildren. Jesus showed us over and over the and world-enriching ple of how all churches and religious It‘s all been pretty amazing, and our love difference between ―the letter of the law‖ institutions should treat all people. grows deeper and more meaningful with and ―the spirit of the law.‖ He called the purpose Those who condemn gays out of fear each passing year. Pharisees ―whitened sepulchers.‖ He told in the plan of God. and ignorance haven‘t known or loved I‘ve worked and volunteered on be- us ―I give you a new commandment that gay people on their life journey and yet half of my church, teaching religious you love one another as I have loved they make judgments without true education, conducting and assisting on you.‖ knowledge, and don‘t allow themselves retreats for Catholic teens. I‘ve taught in He openly and honestly loved Sa- to love as Jesus would have all of us love Catholic grade schools, my husband and maritans, lepers, women, tax collectors our fellow human beings. I have guided young couples on their and all the marginalized people of his loving selflessly, about being a good and As a society we deprive ourselves in path to marriage and I‘ve been a lector time. There are thousands of straight caring parent, about sharing their talents a way that cannot be measured when we and parish council member, logging couples who couldn‘t even come close to and gifts in service to their communities refuse to accept and honor the gifts, tal- thousands of hours on behalf of my faith the love, commitment and faithfulness and finally they have showed us how to ents and potential for good in every sin- and my church. You see I have always lived every day by many of the gay cou- be faithful and committed companions gle citizen. loved my church, and my faith is a huge ples my husband and I have known. with the person you love on life‘s jour- Every person is a child of God and part of who I am. The reason those newspaper pieces ney. every person whether gay, lesbian, It breaks my heart in a way that can- bothered me so much and why I just My best friend from college and the straight, bisexual or transgendered has a not be repaired to continue to see the couldn‘t keep silent anymore is because maid of honor in our wedding 40 years meaningful and world-enriching purpose leadership of our Catholic Church and through our years as a married couple we ago is a gay woman committed to her in the plan of God.  many other traditional churches deny gay have had the support and example of partner for more than 25 years and cur- DignityUSA convention 2011: A show of fidelity By Tom Roberts to the social justice tradition they really But Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today ought to engage in conversation with, not director of DignityUSA, said following July 7, 2011 condemnations of, those in the Catholic the convention that there seemed to be a LGBT community. new conviction to ―move outward, to Much has been made in recent Among those in attendance was John take the firm conviction that we‘ve all months of the enormous drain of mem- McNeill, the former Jesuit who, as author come to about the holiness and whole- bers from the Roman Catholic Church in of the groundbreaking The Church and ness of LGBT people and witness to that the United States in recent decades. The the Homosexual, serves as the move- in the public sphere,‖ whether in church estimated 28 million who have left for an ment‘s theologian and who appeared on or the wider community. array of reasons would constitute, taken Donahue‘s show shortly after the book She said the group also seemed in- together, the second largest denomina- was published in 1976. tent on making greater connection with tion in the country after Catholics who McNeill has lived through the waves other individual Catholics and other remain. of initial shock at his book, Vatican out- movements, ―at looking at all of our That statistic occurred to me last rage, dismissal from his order and some work through the lens of other justice Saturday as I sat as one of four panelists of the ravages of time. He moves slowly issues – women's issues, immigration during a segment of DignityUSA‘s 20th now, in his 80s, with the aid of a cane issues, ageism, class issues, racism.‖ national convention in Washington. Dig- and help from Charles Chiarelli, his part- In other words, she said, she sees nity is the major organization of Catholic ner of more than 40 years. He‘s become local chapters connecting with other or- lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender a revered wisdom figure among the ganizations in the church, partnering with Catholics as well as their friends, fami- LGBT community. I noted as part of a people in parishes who find themselves lies and other allies. brief presentation (others onstage were marginalized in other ways – from During Independence Day weekend psychoanalyst William Braun of New women‘s issues to the matter of forced more than 300 gathered at the Renais- York, Sister of Loretto Sr. Jeannine parish closings. She sees the LBGT com- sance Hotel in Washington for a conven- Gramick, co-founder of New Ways Min- Phil Donahue munity as part of what is emerging in the tion headlined ―Love Hopes All Things.‖ istry, and Georgetown professor Joseph church. ―It is all that same energy of the Hope, indeed, must be the motiva- Palacios, co-founder of Catholics for on prayer, spirituality and freedom of gospel,‖ she said. ―The life, death and tion here. The massive number of ex- Equality) an interview McNeill had done conscience.‖ Resurrection of Jesus is still important in Catholics occurred to me as I sat on stage with NCR‘s Robert McClory in 2005. It would be a reasonable inference our world. The model for how to make before the crowd while moderator Phil At that time McNeill said he be- from that to see the LGBT community as that alive is not coming in a satisfactory Donahue, a pioneer of the TV talk show lieved the ―whole trajectory of the church one set apart and engaged in a kind of way from the hierarchy.‖ Instead, she format showed that he was yet a master is toward the era of the Spirit, when each individualistic, perhaps congregational, said, ―people are putting their faith into of engaging a roomful of people in con- will know the truth in his heart and there approach to spirituality and Catholic life. action in ways that matter.‖  versation. So many people leaving the will be no need for extrinsic authority.‖ church for so many reasons, and yet this To place that in context, McNeill band of the faithful, certainly representa- was referring to the teaching of Joachim Get Electronic with New Ways Ministry! tive of many more times those in the of Flora, a 12th century visionary, who room and with more reason than most to spoke of three periods of Christian his- Stay up to the minute with news, information, and opinions leave, refuse to go. Of course, their pres- tory: that of the Old Testament, which he by connecting with us online in one, several, or ALL of these ways! ence is more than a refusal to go. It is called the era of the Father; the second also a statement of affirmation, as the was that of the Son, or the period of the Website: brochure said, of ―the wholeness and development of the institution church, www.NewWaysMinistry.org holiness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and and the coming era of the Holy Spirit. transgender Catholics.‖ ―I think we‘re moving into that era,‖ Bondings 2.0 Blog: Donahue was quick to pick up on the McNeill told McClory. Gays and lesbi- www.NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com paradox, a properly biblical one. Mem- ans are in the vanguard of that era, he bers of Dignity, those who persist in suggested. ―By being rejected by church Facebook: staying even as the church levels a cruel- leadership, gays and lesbians have had to www.facebook.com/NewWaysMinistry est cut at them – deeming homosexuals ask God directly if they can live authen- Become a fan of our page today! ―disordered ― – are the ones the bishops tic Christian lives, and they are getting ought to be celebrating, he said. [positive] answers. They‘ve come to see Twitter: I‘ve often thought the same. If bish- church teaching on homosexuality as twitter.com/NewWaysMinistry ops want to understand fidelity to sacra- destroying their self-image, so they‘ve Follow our tweets! mental life, to the idea of community and had to take direct access to God, based

Winter 2011-2012 BONDINGS Page 7 Gay-friendly Catholic Parishes & Communities Below is a list of known ―gay-friendly‖ Catholic parishes and intentional Eucharistic communities. Thank you for helping us add to this growing list! If you are aware of a parish or community that is known as welcoming to lesbian/gay Catholics, please let us know. Tell us if this welcome is because of a support program, spirituality group, mission statement, participation in gay community events, or involvement with parents. Parishes are listed first and intentional Eucharistic communities follow.

Highlands Ranch: Pax Christi Missouri Pennsylvania Littleton: Light of the World, St Frances Kansas City: Guardian Angels, Huntingdon: Most Holy Trinity Cabrini St. Francis Xavier, St. James Philadelphia: Old St. Joseph, St. Joseph: St. Francis Xavier Old St. Mary, St. John the Connecticut St. Louis: St. Cronan, St. Margaret of Evangelist, St. Vincent DePaul Hartford: St. Patrick-St. Anthony Scotland, St. Pius V PARISHES Rhode Island Alabama Delaware Montana Providence: St. Francis Chapel, Decatur: Annunciation of the Lord North Wilmington: Holy Child Billings: Holy Rosary, St. Pius X St. Mary‘s Montgomery: St. Bede Wilmington: St. Joseph Wickford: St. Bernard Nebraska Arizona District of Columbia Omaha: Holy Family, Sacred Heart Tennessee Chandler: St. Andrew Holy Trinity, St. Aloysius, Memphis: Cathedral of the Glendale: St. Thomas More St. Matthew Cathedral Nevada Immaculate Conception Mesa: St. Bridget Las Vegas: Christ the King, Phoenix: St. Matthew Florida Guardian Angel Cathedral Texas Scottsdale: St. Patrick Cocoa Beach: Our Savior Colleyville: Good Shepherd Tucson: St. Cyril of Alexandria, Daytona Beach: Our Lady of Lourdes New Hampshire Dallas: Holy Trinity SS. Peter and Paul, St. Pius X, Ft. Lauderdale: St. Anthony, Merrimack: St. John Neumann El Paso: All Saints Our Mother of Sorrows, St. Odilia St. Maurice Pelham: St. Patrick Houston: St. Anne Naples: St. John the Evangelist Plano: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton California St. Petersburg: Holy Cross New Jersey Berkeley: Holy Spirit Parish Tampa: Sacred Heart, Christ the King Lawrenceville: St. Ann Virginia Burney: St Francis of Assisi Long Beach Island: St. Francis of Arlington: Our Lady Queen of Peace Carlsbad: St. Patrick Georgia Assisi Richmond: Cathedral of the Sacred Claremont: Our Lady of the Atlanta: Shrine of the Immaculate Maplewood: St. Joseph Heart, Sacred Heart Parish Assumption Conception Tinton Falls: St. Anselm Roanoke: St. Gerard El Cajon: St. Luke Triangle: St. Francis Encino: Our Lady of Grace Illinois New Mexico Virginia Beach: St. Nicholas Escondido: St. Timothy Berwyn: St. Mary of the Celle Albuquerque: Holy Family, Fremont: St. Joseph - Mission San Chicago: Immaculate Conception, Shrine of St. Bernadette Washington Jose St. Clement, St. Gertrude, Espanola: Sacred Heart of Jesus Pullman: Sacred Heart Goleta: St. Mark Univ. Parish St. Gregory, St. Peter, St. Sylvester, Seattle: St. Benedict, Prince of Peace Hawthorne: St. Joseph (Spanish) St. Teresa of Avila, St. Thomas the New York Newman Center Hayward: All Saints Apostle, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Albany: St. Vincent DePaul Tacoma: St. Leo LaPuente: St. Martha Old St. Patrick Baldwinsville: St. Augustine Lemon Grove: St. John of the Cross Clarendon Hills: Notre Dame Bellmore: St. Barnabas the Apostle Wisconsin Long Beach: St. Matthew Country Club Hills: St. Emeric Bellport: Mary Immaculate Madison: Our Lady Queen of Peace, Los Angeles: Blessed Sacrament, Evanston: St. Nicholas Binghamton: St. Francis of Assisi Menomonee Falls: Good Shepherd Christ the King, Mother of Good Johnston City: St. Paul Brooklyn: St. Andrew the Apostle, Milwaukee: Good Shepherd, Counsel, St. Camillus Center-LA Morton Grove: St. Martha St. Boniface, St. Athanasius, Prince of Peace, Trinity-Guadalupe USC Medical Center (Spanish), Oak Park: Ascension, St. Catherine of St. Augustine, Immaculate Heart of Canada St. Agatha, St. Paul the Apostle Sienna-St. Lucy Mary Montreal: Holy Cross North Hollywood: St. Jane Frances de Schaumburg: St. Marcelline Deer Park: Ss. Cyril and Methodius Ottawa: St. Joseph Chantal, East Islip: St. Mary Toronto: Our Lady of Lourdes St. Patrick Indiana Elmira: St. Mary Oakland: Our Lady of Lourdes Evansville: St. Mary Fairport: Church of the Assumption England Oceanside: St. Thomas More Indianapolis: St. Thomas Aquinas Henrietta: Good Shepherd London: Our Lady of the Orange: Holy Family Cathedral Manhattan: Holy Name of Jesus, Assumption & St. Gregory Pasadena: Assumption of the B.V.M. Iowa St. Francis Xavier, St. Paul the

Ross: St. Anselm Coralville: St. Thomas More Apostle, Church of the Ascension, INTENTIONAL EUCHARISTIC Sacramento: St. Francis of Assisi St. Francis of Assisi COMMUNITIES San Carlos: St. Charles Kentucky Pittsford: Church of the Arizona San Diego: Ascension, San Rafael, Louisville: Epiphany, Cathedral of the Transfiguration Scottsdale: Franciscan Renewal St. Jude Shrine Assumption, St. William Rochester: Blessed Sacrament, Center San Francisco: Most Holy Redeemer, St. Mary (Downtown), St. Monica Old St. Mary Cathedral, St. Agnes, Louisiana Syracuse: St. Lucy, All Saints California St. Dominic New Orleans: St. Augustine Utica: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Orange: Koinonia San Jose: St. Julie Billiart, Historic Old St. John‘s Pleasanton: Catholic Community of St. Martin of Tours (Emmaus Maine Wading River: St. John the Baptist Pleasanton Community) Portland: Sacred Heart-St. Dominic Wantaugh: St. Frances de Chantal San Luis Obispo: Old Mission of Saco: Most Holy Trinity Westbury: St. Brigid District of Columbia San Luis Obispo Communitas San Raphael: Church of San Raphael & Maryland North Carolina Mission San Raphael Arcangel Baltimore: Corpus Christi, Charlotte: St. Peter Florida Santa Barbara: OL of Guadalupe St. Francis of Assisi, Durham: Immaculate Conception Tampa: Franciscan Center Santa Cruz: Holy Cross St. Matthew, St. Vincent dePaul Fayetteville: St. Patrick Santa Monica: St. Monica Columbia: St. John the Evangelist Raleigh: St. Francis of Assisi Maryland Simi Valley: St. Rose of Lima Gaithersburg: St. Rose of Lima Greenbelt: Greenbelt Catholic Spring Valley: Santa Sophia Hagerstown: St. Ann Ohio Community Stanford: Catholic Community at Stanford Severn: St. Bernadette Akron: St. Bernard University Cincinnati: St. George-St. Monica, Michigan South Pasadena: Holy Familhy Massachusetts St. Robert Bellarmine Grand Rapids: Marywood Valinda: St. Martha Boston: Paulist Center, St. Anthony Cleveland: Ascension of Our Lord, Kalamazoo: Lambda Catholics Vernon: Holy Angels Catholic Church of Shrine, St. Cecilia St. Malachi, St. Martha the Deaf East Longmeadow: St. Michael Columbus: St. Thomas More Oregon Walnut Creek: St. John Vianney Newton: St. Ignatius Newman Center Portland: Journey and Koinonia West Hollywood: St. Ambrose, Sharon: Our Lady of Sorrows Fairlawn: St. Hilary Catholic Community St. Victor Springfield: Sacred Heart Mentor: St. John Vianney Whittier: St. Mary of the Assumption University Heights: Church of the Washington Michigan Gesu Olympia: Holy Wisdom Inclusive Colorado Ann Arbor: St. Mary Student Parish Westlake: St. Ladislas Catholic Community Arvada: Spirit of Christ Detroit: St. Leo, Christ the King Wooster: St. Mary of the Immaculate Avon: St. Edward St. Ignace: St. Ignatius Loyola Conception Wisconsin Colorado Springs: Our Lady of Westland: Ss. Simon and Jude Madison: Holy Wisdom Monastery Guadalupe, Sacred Heart Oregon Denver: St. Dominic, Christ the King, Minnesota Beaverton: Mission of the Atonement To add your faith community to our Mount Carmel Minneapolis: St. Frances Cabrini, Portland: St. Andrew, St. Francis of list, please contact New Ways Ministry Fort Collins: Blessed John XXIII St. Joan of Arc Assisi, St. Phillip Neri, Downtown at [email protected] or call Genessee: St. Frances Cabrini Shrine Chapel (St. Vincent de Paul) 301-277-5674. Page 8 BONDINGS Vol. 31, No. 4 Growing up Catholic and gay in Minnesota By Ron Bates my ex-wife. That is the most unfair part. found that a surprising number of annul- Some of these men are closeted The Star Tribune She was one of the innocent victims in ments granted are due to one of the part- "gay" cases and/or are dysfunctional in Minneapolis the masquerade of "I'm straight." ners being gay. Wouldn't it be better for the area of sexual development. August 31, 2011 For years and years, I would pros- the church to acknowledge that gay peo- Why have Minnesota citizens trate myself on the floor and ask God to ple exist and allow them to come out as bought into the extreme religious-right Born in rural Minnesota and raised change me. Maybe if position on homosexuality? on a dairy farm, I grew up in a devout I just pray more, fast People like U.S. Rep. and presiden- Catholic family. more, do more tial candidate Michele Bachmann, While attending St. John's Prep "works of charity," whose husband still uses "reparative School in Collegeville, I confessed to a the male attraction therapy" in his mental health clinic, have priest that I was attracted to another boy will go away. promulgated this thought. Let me quote who slept across from me. The priest After more than what the American Medical Association responded that if I ever acted on that, I 30 years of trying to says: would go to hell. "burn" the evil out "RESOLVED, That the American As a sincere Catholic teen, I did not of me, I finally came Medical Association oppose any psychi- act on my attraction but started a harmful out at age fifty four. atric treatment, such as reparative or con- journey of self-loathing and personal God finally broke version therapy which is based upon the destruction. I didn't know what through to my heart assumption that homosexuality per se is "homosexual" or "gay" were, but I un- of hearts and said, "I a mental disorder or based upon the a derstand "queer" and thought it was evil love you just as you priori assumption that the patient should and perverted. are. You are praying change his/her homosexual orientation." I did not date girls in high school for healing, but you Do they think the American Medical and dated only a couple in college. One are not sick!" Association doesn't know what it is talk- of them became a good friend, so I did Our God does ing about? what all the rest in my family had done: I not change. God is God always. And teenagers so straight-marriage statistics Please vote to defeat the gay mar- got married, the summer after graduating God was with me always. After all the would improve? riage ban [on the ballot in Minnesota in from college. I loved all my nieces and self-hatred and foibles of life, God was Maybe if "Marriage Encounter" cou- 2012]. Don't continue to force young nephews and wanted to become a teacher still there waiting for me. ples handled the pre-marriage classes people into the closet of shame by telling and a father. At that moment, the shame and guilt that potential matrimony candidates have them they have to change. With a major in elementary educa- I had felt for years left -- once and for to take, many of the pitfalls of failed The truth is they can't. I could be the tion from St. Cloud State and later a mas- always. If Pope Benedict had been stand- marriages could be avoided. poster child to prove that. l ter's as a reading specialist, I taught suc- ing right there to tell me I was If there were an honest discussion cessfully for 40 years in public education "disordered," I would have said to him, about same-sex attraction issues, poten- Ron Bates married his same-sex in several Minnesota towns. My mar- "You are wrong.God made me and loves tial candidates could avoid disastrous partner in Toronto in 2006. They live in riage never worked. me just as I am." marriages. Instead, the church uses men Florida.  The sexuality was mostly repulsive, When I got my annulment from the who have taken a vow of celibacy to and that was communicated indirectly to Catholic Church, I did research and conduct the classes. Sacrificing children for Catholic identity By Brian Cahill the first time, same-sex adoption was ton Globe on March 9, 2006. employees would transition over to Fam- Ncronline.org prohibited and same-sex adoptive parents He acknowledged that I told him ily Builders and staff the Web site. They August 5, 2011 were characterized as "doing violence" to about three cases of hard-to-place chil- would answer questions from prospec- children by adopting them. Archbishop dren with same-sex couples. He stated tive adoptive parents about specific chil- For almost 10 years as the executive Levada was a member of the Congrega- "these placements involved prudential dren, and would help families find an director of San Francisco Catholic Chari- tion at that time. judgments about the needs of the chil- adoption agency in their area so they ties, I was directly involved in efforts to In his parish advisory of June 30, dren, the teachings of the Catholic could begin the adoption process. manage the tension between what our 2003, he only referenced the reiteration church, and the overall policies of Catho- Because they would not do specific church teaches in the area of sexuality, of church teaching on gay marriage and lic Charities." matching or placing, our consulting theo- and how we carried out our mission to made no reference to adoption. From the He went on to state that since the logians determined that for Catholic serve the poor, the vulnerable and the point of my letter delineating our prac- 2003 Vatican statement, "it has been and Charities there would be no formal coop- marginalized. tice to his elevation as the head of the remains my position that Catholic agen- eration with evil. While I didn't consider We dealt with many challenges, but Congregation for the Doctrine of the cies should not place children in homo- anything we were doing as evil, I under- the most complex, significant and painful sexual households." It appeared that Ro- stood the need to be clear that we were issue was same-sex adoption. man careerism had trumped pastoral sen- not in conflict with church teaching. I Catholic Charities provides a broad I believe sitivity and child protection. tried to ignore my disgust for this par- range of services to all in need regardless Catholic Charities Our new Archbishop George Nied- ticular church teaching. of their faith. Following the 1906 earth- erauer took a pastoral approach to this The archbishop approved the pro- quake, finding adoptive homes for or- manifests its issue from the start. We met with the gram and our board approved $250,000 phans was our first program. archbishop and his advisors to develop a annually for the staff allocation and re- For the last 40 years the focus of the Catholicism strategy. We also drafted a joint state- lated costs. The workers on the Web site Catholic Charities adoption program had far better ment acknowledging church teaching in responded to more than 400 inquiries per been finding suitable placements for fos- this area and stating that we would re- month, resulting in 40 adoptions a year. ter care children. In recent years we aver- by using view our adoption program to see how When the collaboration was an- aged 25 adoptions per year. Few same- Mathew 25 we could best continue to serve the needs nounced, we had a positive response sex couples applied, but when they did, of these vulnerable children. from our local government partners and we were pleased to work with them if as a guide Unfortunately, the archdiocesan from the secular press, but the reaction of they met the criteria. communications director subsequently the conservative Catholic press was We knew that of the 80,000 children rather than a amended the statement to take a more scathing in its criticism and condemna- in the California foster care system, half destructive, orthodox position, and prematurely re- tion. In spite of the archbishop's support were waiting to be adopted. We also leased it to the press. Our conflict be- of the program, there was strong conser- knew that the largest cohort of potential irresponsible and came public. The real issue here was his vative pressure to end the program. adoptive parents for these children were un-Christ like desire to tell the world we were stopping As the recession hit, the Catholic committed same-sex couples who these placements and our need to say we Charities budget deficit forced some wanted to create family. In the last five Vatican were not stopping them until we had an painful choices. I retired at the end of years of the program we had placed 136 alternative in place. 2008, the collaboration with Family children, 5 of them in the homes of gay promulgation. The archbishop was not happy with Builders ended in 2009, and based on a and lesbian couples. either of us, but he was committed to poorly conceived, disrespectful and In early 2003, I received a letter creating an acceptable solution. harshly written Roman policy, San Fran- from a parishioner questioning whether We reassured our government part- cisco Catholic Charities joined Boston, we were making same-sex placements. I ners that we were working on a solution New York, Chicago, Washington and drafted a response explaining the needs and did not intend to abandon these chil- other dioceses abandoning a hundred- of hard-to-place foster children for quali- Faith, he never directed me to change our dren. We created a work group of pro- year tradition and thousands of needy fied loving homes, and said we were practice regarding same sex adoption. gram staff, board members, health care children. guided not only by church teaching, but In late 2005, the Boston Globe re- ethicists and two highly qualified priest In a speech at the National Catholic also by the best interests of the children ported that Boston Catholic Charities had theologians. Our director of programs Social Workers Conference, Archbishop we served and by state law prohibiting been placing children with same-sex began to work with Family Builders, a Charles Chaput pushed the party line on discrimination against prospective adop- couples. In light of the Vatican directive, local adoption agency with rich experi- Catholic identity, urging that Catholic tive parents because of sexual orienta- Boston decided to end their adoption ence recruiting same-sex couples as social services must be "explicitly Catho- tion. I sent the draft letter to Archbishop program in early March 2006. adoptive parents. Family Builders also lic." I believe Catholic Charities mani- William Levada, and after some minor The Boston Globe began to look at had developed a statewide adoption fests its Catholicism far better by using edits, he approved the letter. San Francisco, and the archdiocesan di- match Web site called California Kids' Mathew 25 as a guide rather than a de- In June of 2003, the Congregation rector of communication alerted Connection. There was limited funding structive, irresponsible and un-Christ like for the Doctrine of the Faith issued an Archbishop Levada in Rome. He issued a for the Web site, and as a result, county Vatican promulgation. updated teaching on gay marriage. For statement which was released to the Bos- adoption agencies were not using it. Our Winter 2011-2012 BONDINGS Page 9 Bad Faith: Catholic Hierarchy’s Pointless Campaign Against LGBT Rights By Casey and Mary Ellen Lopata worse. ter or son, you know firsthand that it is the priest who passed the beaten traveller ReligionDispatches.org Catholics faithful to the scriptural your child‘s sexual identity, and not a on the other side of the road to avoid August 3, 2011 admonition to love mercy, do justice, and belief in the Immaculate Conception, that ritual impurity, but the hated Samaritan walk humbly with their God, have be- puts them at risk for beatings and taunt- who bound up his wounds, and paid for In early July, Archbishop Jose H. come increasingly alienated by bishops ing. Archbishop Dolan and his col- his care. Gomez of Los Angeles opposed a mod- who seem obsessed with pushing a nar- leagues should stop pretending that they We learned later that the Church‘s est piece of legislation that requires row anti-gay agenda to the exclusion face anything like the intolerance that teachings on social justice compelled us schools in that state to include lesbians, even of simple charity. Our bishops were our children do. to act as advocates for fairness, justice, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people, in the small minority of religious leaders A Gay-Friendly Church? and individual dignity, that its teachings and other previously excluded groups, in who failed to speak out when a wave of The one fortunate aspect of the on politics instructed us to vote for the their social studies curricula. anti-gay bullying, some of which led to bishop‘s campaign against LGBT people common good, and that in making moral The archbishop argued that he was suicides, swept the country last year. At a is that it has been singularly ineffective. decisions, we were to follow the prompt- merely supporting parents‘ rights to time when seemingly every organization Polling by the Public Religion Research ings of our own well-formed con- make decisions regarding their children‘s in the United States was finding a way to Institute makes clear that almost three- sciences. education. But Catholics who pay atten- tell young lesbian, gay, bisexual, and quarters of Catholics support either mar- There are times, it seems, when our tion to our bishops‘ energetic campaign transgender (LGBT) people that ―It Gets riage equality or civil unions, and that we hierarchy is so committed to cultivating to thwart any legislation that legitimizes Better,‖ our hierarchy, to our shame, was back legal protections for LGBT people political power, and deploying our (or in this instance, even recognizes) silent. in the workplace (73 percent), in the Church‘s resources in contemporary cul- same-gender attraction are familiar with In their zeal to deny any form of military (63 percent), and in adoptions ture wars, that they expect us to forget all this ruse. legitimacy to same-sex relationships, the (60 percent) by significant margins. of this. We won‘t. Our hierarchy has a habit of invok- bishops have neglected more urgent pas- We are, in other words, an extremely As Philadelphia Burns ing noble sounding principles but apply- toral duties. Catholic schools and par- gay-friendly church; and while it has Last week, the Vatican announced ing them only when they can be used ishes are closing by the dozen in dioceses taken a while for this fact to filter out that it had appointed Archbishop Charles against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans- across the country, yet somehow the hi- beneath the bluster of our bishops and Chaput of Denver as the new archbishop gender people. erarchy and its allies in the Knights of their lobbyists, political leaders have of Philadelphia. The clergy abuse scan- Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washing- Columbus have found millions of dollars begun to take note. A Catholic governor dal that has badly damaged the hierar- ton did something similar last year when to spend in one state after another oppos- and Catholic legislators made marriage chy‘s credibility is still spinning out of he announced that the legalization of ing marriage equality, or its weaker equality a reality in New York. A Catho- control in Philadelphia, and Pope Bene- same-sex marriage in the District of Co- cousin, the civil union. lic governor and legislators passed civil dict XVI clearly thinks that Archbishop lumbia had forced him to stop offering Leaders Without Followers unions into law in Illinois. Heavily Chaput is the right man for a difficult health insurance to the spouses of new The rhetoric our bishops employ in Catholic Rhode Island passed a civil un- job. employees of Catholic Charities. The these campaigns is hardly pastoral. ion bill over the protests of Bishop Tho- We would only note that in his pre- marriage equality law, he explained, Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New mas Tobin of Providence, and a Catholic vious post, he supported a parish priest would force him to extend benefits to York, referred to same-sex marriage as governor has promised to permit same- who expelled a girl from a Catholic gay and lesbian couples, and since this ―an Orwellian nightmare‖ and an sex couples to marry in Maryland, if the school because her parents were lesbians. violated the church‘s teaching on mar- ―ominous threat.‖ He compared his legislature will only put the bill on his The archbishop argued that parents must riage, he could not do it. state‘s government to North Korea‘s desk. be able to cooperate with Catholic There is Sin, during New York‘s recent debate on A few days after Archbishop Gomez schools in the education of their children, and then There’s Gay Sin marriage equality. Then, upon losing the announced his opposition to the legisla- and that those who do not embrace To take this argument seriously, one debate, this prince of the Church, with a tion requiring California schools to give Church doctrine cannot do so. has to overlook the fact that Catholic palace on Fifth Avenue, proclaimed him- an accurate recounting of the nation‘s This was not an argument he em- Charities already offered benefits to the self a victim of intolerance. history. Gov. Jerry Brown, a Roman ployed against Protestants, or non- spouses of employees who had not been We are well acquainted with the Catholic, signed it into law. Christians, or children whose parents had married in the Catholic Church, or who history of anti-Catholic bigotry in this Those of us who support equality for remarried after a divorce. It was em- had been remarried without benefit of an country, and keenly aware of what our LGBT people in civil society do so not in ployed exclusively against lesbian par- annulment. These are also clear viola- forebears in the faith suffered at the spite of our Catholic faith but because of ents. Because in the theological universe tions of the Church‘s teaching on mar- hands of hateful fellow citizens. But we it. We learned in childhood that Jesus that our bishops are constructing to sup- riage. But Wuerl‘s harsh and unloving find it reprehensible when that legacy is moved freely among the outcast and the port their personal biases, there is sin, stance is typical of a hierarchy that be- invoked by those who themselves advo- marginalized, that he warned his follow- and then there is gay sin, and gay sin is haves as though there is sin, and then cate discrimination and repression. If you ers to judge not lest they be judged, and so much worse.  there is gay sin—and gay sin is much are the Catholic parent of LGBT daugh- that he taught that our neighbor was not Is same-sex marriage really priority number one? By Scott Alessi izing abortion? his pastors to form grassroots commit- Or if every pastor was mandated to cre- USCatholic.org/blog I've seen "pro-marriage" rallies or- tees, appoint parish leaders, and organize ate a food pantry, or a soup kitchen? October 18, 2011 ganized by Catholic parishes and dio- a large-scale effort, is this the issue on Given the chance, Catholics could ceses draw small crowds who support the which to do it? What if every parish de- probably come up with a long list of ini- Earlier this month, Archbishop John church's position on this issue. But if we veloped an unemployment committee tiatives that parishes could implement to Nienstedt of Minneapolis-St. Paul sent a were to poll average Catholics in the dedicated to helping out of work people address the growing number of problems letter to all priests in his archdiocese call- pews, how many would really consider a in the parish community find jobs? What in society today. It is doubtful, though, ing for support of a proposed amendment law that prevents same-sex marriage to if a bishop mandated that every parish that preventing certain people from being to the state constitution that would define be the most important issue in the church have a committee to provide outreach to able to get married would be at the top of marriage as a union of one man and one today? How many would even place it in women in crisis pregnancies so they everyone's lists.  woman. While voicing the church's op- the top 10? would be less likely to choose abortion? position to same-sex marriage is nothing The church certainly has every right new, Nienstedt went a step further-- to profess its teachings on marriage, to asking every pastor to appoint a parish evangelize, and to try to convince others captain of an ad hoc committee to sup- to follow the gospel. It is worthwhile for New Ways Ministry’s port the amendment. practicinig Catholics to have a better Seventh National Symposium It is somewhat unsual to see a bishop understanding of what the church teaches tell all of his pastors to start a specific about marriage and why. But many parish-level ministry, no less one with a Catholics would draw the line at trying to From Water to Wine: political agenda. But Nienstedt has made make those beliefs into law and forcing clear that for priests in his archdiocese, non-Catholics to follow them as well. Lesbian/Gay Catholics and Relatioships fighting to ensure that the state defines Catholics may not believe two people of marriage in the same way as the church the same gender can exchange the sacra- is today's top priority. ment of marriage, but if the state wants March 15-17, 2012 On a national level, the actions of to let them have a marriage license, that's Renaissance Marriott Inner Harbor Hotel today's church leaders leave little doubt a different issue. about how they view the importance of That's not to say that how the state Baltimore, Maryland marriage. Archbishop Timothy Dolan, defines marriage doesn't have any impact current president of the bishops' confer- on the church. There are still a lot of reli- Featured Speakers: ence, has blogged often about the issue gious liberty issues that need to get and even wrote a letter to President ironed out here, such as whether state- Patricia Beattie Jung, Luke Timothy Johnson, Obama about it. And Louisville's contracted Catholic institutions should Bishop Geoffrey Robinson, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, who heads the have to provide adoption and foster care bishops' ad hoc committee for the de- services to same-sex couples. Those are Richard Rodriguez, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend fense of marriage, last year warned his important questions, and the church fellow bishops that "today is like 1970 should not have to compromise its defini- for marriage," meaning that America is tion of marriage because the state More information : on the verge of a decision on marriage changes theirs. www.NewWaysMinistry.org that would be akin to Roe v. Wade. Can But the real question is whether this we really compare allowing two people issue should be getting so much atten- 301.277.5674 of the same sex to get married with legal- tion. If an archbishop can call upon all Page 10 BONDINGS Vol. 31, No. 4 How Catholic Was Clinton’s Speech on LGBT Human Rights? By Francis DeBernardo persons.‖ archy in this country are already behind lives of people. NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com What if Vatican Secretary of State the curve. On the international scene, And in regard to the Vatican‘s pro- December 6, 2011 Cardinal Thomas Bertone said: Catholic leaders could still play a pivotal clivity to attempt to silence discussion on ―Building on efforts already under role in protecting human rights for LGBT matters, they should learn another Secretary of State Hilary Rodham way the Pope has directed all bishops LGBT people. important lesson from Secretary Clinton: Clinton‘s speech in defense of LGBT and church officials to combat the crimi- Clinton‘s speech, though not men- ―No one has ever abandoned a belief rights as human rights should be required nalization of LGBT status and conduct, tioning Catholic leaders, offered some because he was forced to do so.‖ reading for Vatican leaders, who have to enhance efforts to protect vulnerable excellent advice that Catholic leaders Though Catholic leaders do not been shamefully silent on abuses against LGBT refugees and asylum seekers to should certainly heed: speak out on human rights for LGBT LGBT people around the world. The ensure that our foreign assistance pro- ―Conversely, when we see denials people, Catholic people are making philosophical basis of Clinton‘s speech is motes the protection changes in their homes, their parishes, the same basis for Catholic teaching on of LGBT rights, to and their communities in support of their human rights: the inherent dignity of enlist international LGBT friends and family members. We every individual. organizations in the should not ever downplay these grass- As I read the text of her talk (and fight against discrim- roots initiatives. As Secretary Clinton followed it on Twitter) I couldn‘t help ination, and to re- pointed out: but hear echoes of Vatican II documents spond swiftly to ―And to people of all nations, I say which call for respect of all people, re- abuses against LGBT supporting human rights is your respon- gardless of their state in life. I also persons. ― sibility too. The lives of gay people are couldn‘t help dreaming a little bit as to Nothing in shaped not only by laws, but by the treat- what it would sound like if Clinton‘s Catholic teaching ment they receive every day from their ideas were applied to the Catholic would prevent him families, from their neighbors. Eleanor church. For example, the cornerstone of from doing so. What Roosevelt, who did so much to advance her speech reads: prevents such a state- human rights worldwide, said that these ―Building on efforts already under- ment is a lack of rights begin in the small places close to way at the State Department and across leadership. Clinton home – the streets where people live, the the government, the President has di- herself addressed the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton schools they attend, the factories, farms, rected all U.S. Government agencies topic of leadership in her and offices where they work. These engaged overseas to combat the crimi- speech in a beautiful way: places are your domain. The actions you nalization of LGBT status and conduct, ―Leadership, by definition, means and abuses of human rights and fail to take, the ideals that you advocate, can to enhance efforts to protect vulnerable being out in front of your people when it act, that sends the message to those de- determine whether human rights flourish LGBT refugees and asylum seekers, to is called for. It means standing up for the niers and abusers that they won‘t suffer where you are.‖ ensure that our foreign assistance pro- dignity of all your citizens and persuad- any consequences for their actions, and If we want our Catholic church to motes the protection of LGBT rights, to ing your people to do the same.‖ so they carry on. But when we do act, we respect the dignity of LGBT people, we enlist international organizations in the As polls continue to show that U.S. send a powerful moral message.‖ must embody that change in our own fight against discrimination, and to re- Catholics are way ahead of their bishops Catholic leaders need to examine lives.  spond swiftly to abuses against LGBT on LGBT equality, members of the hier- what effect their silence is having on the Catholicism and Sexuality: If Only Hierarchs Would Listen and Learn By John Falcone Recently, four GIFTS members and men have not left the priesthood shines an unwelcome light on these Huffingtonpost.com I drove to Fairfield University in Con- (Cozzens estimates they make up 30-50 homoerotic dynamics. To keep this psy- November 14, 2011 necticut for "The Care of Souls: Sexual percent of US priests), and they also con- chology intact and in shadow, the hierar- Diversity, Celibacy and Ministry" -- the tinue to enter -- either by lying about chy must keep gay men (and straight Few Roman Catholic seminaries can last of this autumn's "More than a Mono- their orientation, or by keeping it under women) out. boast an active and vibrant GLBT stu- logue" series on sexuality and the Catho- wraps at the direction of seminary direc- The notion that ritual and organiza- dent organization. Boston College's lic Church. We went to hear Rev. Donald tors. Yet gay priests must steer firmly tional leadership requires abstinence School of Theology and Ministry is one. Cozzens, a respected researcher on the clear of their sexual identity in their from sexual love is another problem for Since April 2011, the "GIFTS" group Catholic priesthood and a former semi- preaching and public personas. As Catholic ministry. For almost 2000 years, ("G/L/B/T Inclusive Fellowship of The- nary president; Mark Jordan, a queer GIFTS member Oliver Goodrich asked, Catholic monks and nuns have accepted ology Students") has planned and hosted theologian and ethicist at Harvard Divin- "How can so many priests, who preach a celibacy as a form of spiritual practice. prayer services for the school commu- ity School and Jeannine Gramick, a gospel of liberation and authenticity, lead For 1100 years, Catholic priests could nity. We've celebrated the long tradition Catholic nun who was silenced by the such inauthentic lives?" marry and raise children. Today, Church of believers who have lived their Ca- Vatican for her work with lesbians and Jordan was more provocative. In a officials insist that everyone called to the tholicism through same-sex love, non- gays. We found four themes particularly church that defines "the few and the priesthood automatically receives the traditional gender roles and the quest for compelling: the struggles of a closeted proud" as its straight male celibate "grace" (or spiritual power) to live a celi- social justice. We have also asked some clergy, the dynamics of Catholic patriar- clergy, power gets tangled with male- bate life. Why must these two be con- difficult questions: How can GLBT lay chy, the troubling theology of priestly ness. But the clergy's desire for power nected? As Jocelyn Collen, another people with a proven calling to ministry vocation and the powerful Christian wit- animates an unseemly dance of domi- GIFTS member, remarked, "Grace is not best serve the Catholic Church? What is ness offered by lesbian nuns. nance, submission and career advance- given to someone on command. No one - our responsibility to a clergy and leader- For Cozzens, the Vatican's prohibi- ment. Within all-male hierarchical set- - not even the Vatican -- can direct the ship which is often homophobic and pa- tion of gay men entering the priesthood tings, this can smack of sado-masochist grace of God." ternalistic, and profoundly conflicted has worked much like the (now defunct) pleasures. Accepting gay men into semi- Gramick's reflections were perhaps about sex? policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Gay nary, or acknowledging same-sex love, (Continued on page 11) On gay marriage, state and Catholic leaders are out of step

Editorial most Americans' family and social ex- The administration believes that the dissent even among their own parishion- The Star Tribune periences confirm that the numbers are law, which defines marriage as between ers. According to Catholics for Marriage Minneapolis indeed rising. And as the number of gay one man and one woman, is unconstitu- Equality MN, a recent poll of local September 30, 2011 couples has risen, so have levels of toler- tional. Catholics showed that a majority favored ance and acceptance. Dolan said that the federal position equal marriage rights. It's not exactly clear how many gay, That long-overdue cultural change is could "precipitate a national conflict be- Minnesotans are about to engage in married couples there are in America and most apparent in the six states -- and the tween church and state of enormous pro- a statewide debate on the issue in the run Minnesota. District of Columbia -- that have legal- portions.'' -up to a November 2012 vote on a con- Last month, the U.S. Census bureau ized gay marriage. Some Catholic leaders, both locally stitutional amendment that would ban reported that some 131,700 same-sex Meanwhile, the U.S. military has and nationally, are actively campaigning gay marriage. We would have preferred couples checked the "husband" or "wife" dropped its onerous "don't ask, don't tell'' against gay marriage; they consider it a that this discriminatory proposal had boxes on the form. That figure was later policy. And polls show that more and direct assault on church teaching that never made it to the ballot. adjusted to 100,000 after it was discov- more Americans favor equal rights for defines marriage as only between hetero- It's wrong to enshrine denial of basic ered that coding errors resulted in an members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual sexuals. human rights in state law, and hopefully exaggerated count. and transgender communities. Framing gay marriage as a civil the discussion in the next 12 months will In Minnesota, the first count identi- Given those welcome developments, right, they say, can cause discrimination make that clear. fied 4,325 same-sex, married couples, it's disturbing that some Catholic Church against Catholic believers. We also hope that the Catholic lead- and the adjustment brought that number leaders and the state of Minnesota are But church doctrine and federal laws ers' "national conflict'' predictions are down to about 1,300. And even those moving in the other direction. are two separate considerations. In a overstated. Again, churches can decide numbers may not be correct. In a recent letter, Archbishop Timo- country with free religion and speech, whom they will or will not marry. Some couples who married legally thy Dolan of New York, who heads the any religious group can adopt its own But under the laws that apply to eve- in another state chose not to list their U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, rules. It cannot, however, impose those ryone, GLBT couples deserve the same status because it is not legally recognized criticized the Obama administration for rules on civil society. rights as every other American.  in Minnesota. no longer defending the 1996 Defense of And though some church leaders Despite the lack of reliable statistics, Marriage Act in court. hold antigay views, there is significant Winter 2011-2012 BONDINGS Page 11 Gay marriage - a Lutheran leader's plea to Catholic bishops

By Herbert W. Chilstrom Startribune.com Is it not time for work to drive many of fession, but to listen to them describe December 8, 2011 religious leaders, walk- them deeper into closets of what it is like to live in our culture in ing in the footsteps of anonymity. Minnesota. To My Brothers -- The Catholic Bish- Father Gilligan, to do the Instead, why not wel- Hear as they tell you what it means ops of Minnesota: same for another minor- come them into our com- be a child of God and a faithful member In 1976 I was elected a Lutheran ity, neighbors who are as munities of faith where of your church, persons who happen to bishop in Minnesota -- one of seven such responsible as our Afri- they can work side by side be gay or lesbian through no choice of Lutheran leaders in the state. Over the can American sisters and with us as equal partners? their own. I can promise you, based on next years one of the highlights of my brothers? Let me put out a chal- my experience, that your heart will be time in office was the annual noon-to- I also suggest that lenge to each of you broth- deeply moved by what you hear. noon retreat with our eight Catholic coun- you ask yourselves an ers. Invite 15 gay and les- When you have finished your time terparts in the state. important question: If the bian persons from your with these sisters and brothers in Christ, The bond that developed between us amendment is passed, Rev. Herbert Chilstrom respective areas, one at a spend a quiet hour reflecting on a single was deep and respectful. We shared our will it make one particle of time, to spend two hours with question: "As I understand the heart of differences; we celebrated our likenesses. difference in our common culture in you. my Savior Jesus, how would he treat My friendship with Archbishop John Minnesota? I don't think so. Thirty hours are a pittance com- these sons and daughters of my church?" Roach and Bishop Raymond Lucker, in Responsible lesbian and gay persons pared to the time you are investing to Herbert W. Chilstrom is former pre- particular, is a blessing I will treasure as will continue to seek companionship promote adoption of the marriage siding bishop, Evangelical Lutheran long as I live. with those they love. This law will only amendment. Use the time, not for con- Church in America.  May I share a word with all of you who now lead the Roman Catholic com- Debating Natural Law munity of faith in Minnesota? First, I would go to the wall to defend 13th century philosophy wins public debate; does it win court cases? your right to work for the adoption of the so-called marriage protection amendment. By Duncan Osborne attorneys. A search in the Lexis database that of a south wind, which is moist," he Having said that, I must tell you that I Gaycitynews.com of law journal articles on "natural law" wrote in one document. On sexuality, the believe you are making a significant mis- August 4, 2011 and Finnis returned 98 articles in the conclusion by some of his adherents that take. decade from 1980 to 1990. That number the only moral function of sex is pro- Over my 35 years as an active and At a conference held this past April climbed to 411 in the next decade and to creation is stilted. retired bishop I have come to know hun- at Liberty University in Virginia, Ryan 728 between 2000 and 2011. A search "At its most notorious, this shows dreds of gay and lesbian persons. I have Sorba, a conservative activist, was dis- on "natural law" and Aquinas returned up in Catholic teaching on sexual ethics yet to meet even one who is opposed to cussing the words the right should use 93 articles in the first decade, 498 in the that argues that any behavior that con- the marriage of one man and one woman. when talking about homosexuality. second, and 1,025 between 2000 and flicts with the natural law (as evidenced After all, they are the daughters and sons "Gay" should not be used. 2011. in the biological processes of the human of such unions. "I don't believe that anyone is born Whether these theorists have any body) is ipso facto immoral," wrote Paul What they cannot understand is why gay," said Sorba, the chairman of Young sway in court cases is a different matter. Lakeland, a professor of Catholic Stud- church leaders would oppose their funda- Conservatives of California. "You are A search in the Lexis data- ies at Fairfield Uni- mental desire and right to be in partner- your body, your body is procreative by base of federal and state versity in Connecti- ship with someone they love and respect its natural design…It's an important part court decisions returns just cut, in an email. who happens to be of the same gender and of who you are, it's you, and, um, and, 15 that mention "natural "So, no actions that sexual orientation. They don't understand you know, to divorce your self from the law theory" from 1960 to f r u s t r a t e why they should not enjoy all the rights self-evident nature of your procreative 2011. Cases that mention (contraception) or and privileges their straight counterparts design is to divide yourself against, is to "natural law" went from that cannot result in take for granted. slam the door in your own face." 168 between 1960 and (masturbation, ho- More than a half century ago Father However clumsily, Sorba was using 1970 to 178 from 1970 to mosexual acts) pro- Francis Gilligan spoke out for equality for a natural law argument that is rooted in 1980 to 228 from 1980 to creation can be African American citizens of Minnesota. the 13th century philosophy of Thomas 1990. From 1990 to 2011, countenanced. This Though many argued on the basis of the Aquinas, a Roman Catholic theologian. 620 cases mentioned interpretation of Bible that these neighbors were inferior to As gay marriage battles have raged "natural law," but some natural law is espe- others, Gilligan fought tirelessly for jus- across the nation, some proponents of cases use "natural law" to cially wooden and a tice for these brothers and sisters. traditional marriage have taken the clas- refer to a law of physics or problem for most, if In our generation homosexual per- sic natural law position that says that some other science. Short not all, Catholic sons are subject to the same discrimina- only a man and a woman can procreate, of reading every single St. Thomas Aquinas sexual ethicists tion. Their detractors often use the Bible so that relationship should be recognized case, it is impossible to discern if natural today. But, more to the point, it is not and tradition as weapons of choice.  as unique, important, and it should be law theory has made inroads in court quite what Aquinas was really talking privileged over other relationships. cases. One gay group said it has not. about." Clearly, gay and lesbian Americans dis- "I don't think it really does get used Aquinas was a creature of the age he agree with some of that argument. by the courts generally," Gary Buseck, lived in. He endorsed slavery and saw Listen and "The people today who are called legal director at the Boston-based Gay & monarchies as a legitimate form of gov- natural law theorists are maintaining a Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, wrote ernance. While Augustine and John Learn view of the natural world that is out- in an email. "We see it essentially in Chrysostom, two early Roman Catholic dated," said Francis DeBernardo, the some amicus briefs. George has one in theologians, were virulently anti- (Continued from page 10) executive director of the New Ways our Gill DOMA case. So, I think it plays, Semitic, Aquinas was only mildly so. the most hopeful. Drawing from decades Ministry, a Maryland-based, gay- if at all, behind the scenes. At least at the "It would be hard to find a medieval of work with lesbian nuns, she described a positive ministry that serves queer Ro- moment, it is not a type of thinking or Christian scholar who didn't have things non-patriarchal model of ministry in man Catholics. "Aquinas himself would nomenclature which is comfortable for to say that we would see as anti- which warm and affirming female friend- say that the theory has to constantly be American courts." Semitic," Lakeland wrote. "His position ships support lives of celibacy, service updated according to new definitions of In the court of public opinion, natu- develops out of his analysis of Paul's and prayer. For these nuns, the experience nature...Natural law theorists who use ral law theory is more successful be- Letter to the Romans, and so it tries to of sexual orientation is about the longing that theory to oppose same-sex marriage cause it is simple. Its rhetoric is accessi- balance two seemingly contradictory for intimacy, the romantic desires that refuse to acknowledge the naturalness of ble to a Ryan Sorba as well as a Robert truths: on the one hand, the Jews were shape personality and interpersonal life. homosexuality." George. On the surface, its conclusions, complicit in the crucifixion of Jesus, This makes profound psychological sense. Natural law theory says, in part, that on marriage in particular, appear to be while, on the other, they are somehow Lesbian and gay celibates need intimate moral truths can be found by simply self-evident. included in the community of the same-sex friendships; in the same way, observing the world. Its modern champi- "It's wonderfully appealing because saved…Aquinas picks up on some of straight men called to celibacy need warm ons include John M. Finnis, a law pro- of its simplicity, but I have to say it's this tension but on the whole leans to- and affirming relationships with women. fessor at Oxford and Notre Dame, a much more complex than it appears," wards a more positive theological analy- Without such intimate friendships, frustra- Robert P. George, a law professor at DeBernardo said. "To be a true natural sis of the place of the Jews than did, say, tions multiply, boundaries decay and min- Princeton University. Neither professor law theorist, you have to be willing to Augustine. It also has to be said, how- isters tragically act out. responded to emails seeking comment. update your theory." ever, that in his remarks on the role of At the end of the day, we drove back Finnis is credited by some observers Aquinas' greatest contribution to Jews in the society of his time, he is not to Boston through the worst October with reviving the theory with the publi- Roman Catholic theology was to argue an ardent campaigner for their equal snowstorm in years, and a certain chill cation of his 1980 book, Natural Law for the application of reason to faith and place in society." still remains. I've co-written this article and Natural Rights. George authored the ethics. Aquinas died in 1274 and was For DeBernardo at the New Ways with another GIFTS student, whose goal 2009 Manhattan Declaration, a conserva- canonized in 1323. His work can fall Ministry, Aquinas' errors do not mean is to teach in a Catholic school. The in- tive manifesto, which stated the signers‘ short because Aquinas knew little about that everything he asserted is wrong. sights of this minister-in-training are all opposition to abortion, gay marriage, and the natural world, so some truths he "I wouldn't say that because of his over this article. But to protect his/her any infringement on religious liberty. learned by observing it were wrong. mistakes everything that he said is future employment, I cannot disclose a George is associated with the conserva- Aquinas said that women were wrong," he said. "He reconciled faith name. Like the prayers that GIFTS has tive groups the National Organization for "defective and misbegotten" from birth. with reason. That's considered his great- written, and the GLBT saints that we've Marriage (NOM) and the American Prin- "[T]he production of woman comes est achievement. That's something that recalled, the insights of marginalized ciples Project. from defect in the active force or from the church has to do, but with 21st cen- Catholics speak of Spirit, courage and One very rough measure suggests some material indisposition, or even tury knowledge, not 13th century knowl- truth. Our hierarchs should listen and that Finnis has influenced debate among from some external influence; such as edge."  learn.  Page 12 BONDINGS Vol. 31, No. 4 Whose Religious Liberty Is It Anyway? Time to Occupy the USCCB? By Joseph Amodeo "oblation" and "coutenance" to their per- Canada, Unitarian Universalists, Metro- Occupy Wall Street movement Huffingtonpost.com sonal spiritual growth and communal politan Community Churches, Evangeli- (including many Catholics), Dolan and November 17, 2011 celebration of the Mass, Archbishop Do- cal Lutheran Church in America, and other leaders have remained silent even lan attacked what he described as "a others all provide blessings for same-sex though the movement is well aligned ."Take this, all of you, and drink drive to neuter religion." At the episcopal unions and/or marriages. Isn't the Catho- with Catholic social teaching on eco- from it, for this the chalice of my blood, gathering, the leadership has argued that lic Church infringing on the religious nomic justice. If the American Catholic the blood of the new and eternal cove- government actions related to marriage liberties of progressive (and I would ar- Church were to focus its moral might on nant, which will be poured out for you equality and abortion rights infringe gue prophetic) Christian communities an issue like economic justice (in short, and for many for the forgiveness of sins. upon individual religious liberty. In fact, that have embraced marriage equality? follow the Holy See's lead), they would Do this in memory of me." --Eucharistic Bishop Lori of Bridgeport (who also Yes. be uniting rather than dividing Catholics Prayer IV from the Third Edition of the serves as the Supreme Chaplain for the For the Catholic Church to argue and Americans. It saddens me to think Roman Missal Knights of Columbus) characterized the that its definition of marriage is the only that the American Church's episcopal This past Sunday, like other Catho- United States Department of Justice's true definition is to deny the validity of leaders continue to speak out against lics throughout the English speaking refusal to defend the Defense of Mar- other religious traditions to in a discern- secular definitions of marriage while world, I sat in a pew and listened to yet riage Act "as an act of 'bias and preju- ing manner define their own practices failing to adequately respond to the great another installment about the forthcom- dice' akin to racism, thereby implying and beliefs. Bishop Lori and Dolan's injustices of our time. ing changes to the Mass. Being in that churches which teach that marriage statements on religious liberty are dan- If the Church remains silent in the Church this past Sunday, I couldn't help is between a man and a woman are guilty gerous, in that if accepted they threaten face of injustice and instead continues to but wonder whether I'm one of the for- of bigotry." The concern that I have with not only the principle of separation of use the religious liberty argument, and mer members of the "all" that will be lost Bishop Lori's statement is that it denies church and state, but also the ability of succeeds in bullying legislators to accept in the "many" of the newly translated the ability of the state to discern and de- the state as well as other religious tradi- religious principles and beliefs as secular Eucharistic Prayer IV. It is amidst these velop a secular definition of marriage. tions to exercise their own freedoms in- definitions, the ―all‖ that are protected by changes and other issues facing the Perhaps what Bishop Lori forgets is that dependent of the Catholic Church. De- the liberties enshrined in our Constitution Church that I'm left asking why Catho- marriage is not only a Catholic institu- manding that an entire society acquiesce may not merely become the many, but lics are not occupying the General As- tion, but rather a legal state and sacra- to the USCCB and the Holy See's views rather the few. As Catholics, we should sembly of the United States Conference ment in other religious and secular tradi- on marriage acts to impede not only on occupy the pews and call out to the of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) taking tions. Further, Bishop Lori should be the Halls of Congress, but also the Church's leaders to be a voice for justice place in Washington, D.C. this week. careful not to neuter secular institutions mosques, churches, synagogues and rather than an institution that seeks to Observing the proceedings of the Gen- of their constitutional responsibility to other houses of worship that exercise a infringe on the liberties of Catholics and eral Assembly, it's clear that instead of protect the rights of all and not just the freedom of conscience that is not, and non-Catholics alike. listening to the concerns of the laity re- many. should not be, subject to Rome. When will Catholics start to occupy garding this new translation, the USCCB Considering the bishops' statements, As the USCCB attacks efforts to the United States Conference Catholic and its leadership have decided to pro- it's only natural that we ask the Catholic pursue marriage equality and to protect Bishops and diocesan offices across the claim an attack on religious liberty. Church what makes its definition of mar- the rights of women, I'm left wondering country to demand a moral voice that As Catholics around the country riage more accurate than that of other where the moral voice of the Church is focuses on Christ's message of love and stand in bewilderment as to the signifi- Christian communities? For example, the on issues of social justice. As thousands justice?  cance of words such as "dew fall," Episcopal Church, Anglican Church of of Americans take to the streets with the Equally Blessed Presents U.S. Bishops With Anti-Bullying Petitions Equally-Blessed.com tures online and through social media in November 17, 2011 two weeks. ―As Catholics we believe that we BALTIMORE, Maryland — The can sin through action and inaction,‖ said Equally Blessed coalition on Monday Nicole Sotelo, director of communica- presented the United States Conference tions for Call To Action, an Equally of Catholic Bishops with a petition Blessed coalition member. ―A few signed by more than 1,700 U. S. Catho- words from our bishops would give great lics urging the conference to take a firm comfort to LGBT Catholics, and clear public stand against anti-gay bullying. instruction about the dignity of every The bishops have previously made no human being to the members of our statement on this issue. Church. Yet the conference has repeat- ―Faithful Catholics find it extremely edly failed to act.‖ Delivering the petition: Tom Pluecker, Fortunate Families; Chuck Busnuk, DignityUSA; Francis discouraging to watch their bishops de- DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry; Don Clemmer, Assistant Director of Media Relations, USCCB; Coalition members presented the vote ever more time and ever more Claire Pluecker, Fortunate Families; Bob Miailovich, DignityUSA and Call To Action. (Photo: petitions to a staff member of the U. S. money on denying lesbians, gays, bisex- Dwayne Fernandes, New Ways Ministry) Catholic Conference because they were ual and transgender people the rights that told that none of the more than 200 bish- other citizens of this country take for violence that many of us face,‖ said tor of Dignity, a member of the coalition. ops meeting in Baltimore had time to granted, while remaining silent about the Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive direc- Equally Blessed collected the signa- greet them.  Pro Life Catholics and Being Queer on a Catholic Campus By Roland Argomaniz pus who are both [Catholic and gay] and Transgendered Persons foghorn.usfca.edu the church needs the experiences and October 27, 2011 voices of the gay community. There has By Sidney Callahan and also tends to reject bodies that do not to be an engagement between the Catho- AmericaMagazine.org/blog meet favored norms of health and As part of National Coming Out lic tradition and the gay experience.‖ October 11, 2011 beauty. Within the Church other rejec- Week, [University of San Francisco] Godfrey cited his experience at USF tions can exist. Many intra church argu- University Ministry teamed with Queer and in the San Francisco LGBTQ com- Transgendered persons, as an emerg- ments have arisen over gender identity, Alliance and the Gender & Sexuality munity as having helped to shape his ing minority group, are becoming newly gender orientation and acceptable expres- Center to host a forum exploring what it understanding of the relationship be- visible in the media. Unfortunately this sions of embodied love. The varied and means to be a queer student and faculty tween the Catholic faith and the gay life- attention usually arises from the fact that complex unique development of each member on a Catholic Campus. style. people are being attacked, bullied, ex- human body has been downplayed. One Students and faculty gathered near The Castro, before becoming the cluded and even killed. The transgen- adult heterosexual model of the repro- the cafeteria, many of them sporting rain- epicenter of the gay rights movement in dered population now joins homosexual ductive ―nuptial body‖ has been vali- bow-colored buttons on their book bags the 1970s, was home to many Irish and lesbian individuals who have suf- dated as the privileged norm. and shirts, to participate in a round table Catholic immigrants who left a lasting fered from their ―difference.‖ This is a It seems important at this point for discussion on the state of the gay com- legacy. moment for Pro Life Catholics to take Catholics to develop a deeper and more munity on campus. For Godfrey, the fusion of the two the lead in offering protection and accep- comprehensive theology of the body. We Rev. Donald Godfrey, S.J., was cultures, while at times contentious, has tance. need an approach taking in new scien- among one of the special invitees who helped both communities to reconcile More is at issue than the Church‘s tific, theological and experiential lived spoke about the relationship between the their understandings of faith and sexual- efforts to see that all human persons are findings. Our Pro Life witness and un- gay and lesbian experience on a Catholic ity. Godfrey has since returned several granted dignity and rights in a just soci- derstanding can be expanded and deep- campus in San Francisco. times to Northern Ireland to help the gay ety. In addition Catholics are committed ened. What for instance are the implica- Having grown up in Ireland, a coun- and lesbian community of both the to protecting the value of embodied hu- tions for this age of bodily resurrection try that has been long known for its con- Catholic and Protestant Church wrestle man life in all its varied forms, from em- and our membership in the body of servative Catholic roots, Godfrey has with these same questions. bryo to fetus to infant, child, adult, and Christ? In the meantime, waiting for an often reflected on the following question: Dr. Shirley McGuire, professor of the impaired and dying. Difference and expanded conversation, and/or a new could a person be accepted as Catholic psychology, had some serious reserva- uniqueness of development characterize ecumenical council, Catholics can seek and gay? tions as to whether Catholic universities bodily life. to protect and value all nascent and dif- ―I don‘t believe being Catholic and around the country were ready to give The current secular culture does not ferent lives.  being gay is an oxymoron,‖ said God- support to the LGBTQ community. yet affirm the rights of nascent fetal life frey, associate director of University After arriving at USF from the Uni- Ministry. ―There are people on this cam- (Continued on page 4)