B NDINGS Vol. 32, No. 2 A Publication of New Ways Ministry Summer 2012 Vatican criticizes US theologian's book on sexual ethics By Jerry Filteau herence with the Just Love: A ties," Farley said. "In doing so, I offer National Catholic Reporter central aims and Framework for not only ideals for human sexual rela- June 4, 2012 insights of these Christian Sexual tions, but also some absolute require- theological and Ethics was pub- ments." The Vatican Congregation for the moral traditions." lished in 2006 by In 2008 she received the prestigious Doctrine of the Faith has sharply criti- While the Continuum, an Louisville Grawemeyer Award in Relig- cized Just Love, an award-winning book Notification international pub- ion for the book. on sexual ethics by Mercy Sr. Margaret briefly quotes her lishing company Now a professor emerita, Farley has Farley, a prominent Catholic theologian conclusions on specializing in taught Christian ethics for 50 years and at Yale University. each of the five scholarly works. began her career at Yale in 1971. She "Among the many errors and ambi- specific topics The book argues was the first female professor appointed guities in this book are its positions on that are singled that justice is a full-time to the Yale Divinity School masturbation, homosexual acts, homo- out, followed by a key quality in faculty. She and noted spiritual writer sexual unions, the indissolubility of mar- brief summation human sexual Henri Nouwen share the distinction of riage and the problem of divorce and how those conclu- relationships be- being the first Catholics ever on the remarriage," the congregation's five-page sions depart from cause authentic school's faculty. "Notification" said. the church's teach- love is formed, "I do not dispute the judgment that In those areas, it said, the author's ing, Farley said guided and pro- some of the positions [expressed in Just position "contradicts" or "is opposed to" the congregation's tected by justice. Love] are not in accord with current offi- or "does not conform to" church teach- critique "does not In its core Chapter cial Catholic teaching." she said. "In the ing. also consider my 6, "Framework for end, I can only clarify that the book was Made public Monday but dated arguments for a Sexual Ethic: not intended to be an expression of cur- March 30, the Notification was approved these positions" or J u s t L o v e , " rent official Catholic teaching, nor was it by Pope Benedict XVI and signed by the "complex among the topics aimed specifically against this teaching. U.S. Cardinal William J. Levada, prefect theoretical and Sister Margaret Farley, RSM treated are person- It is of a different genre altogether." of the congregation, and Archbishop practical contexts hood, free consent, In an email to NCR Lisa Sowle Ca- Luis F. Ladaria, its secretary. to which they are a response." mutuality, equality, commitment, fruit- hill, a well known Catholic theologian, Farley said, "Although my responses In that way it "misrepresents – per- fulness and social justice. author and professor of ethics at Jesuit- to some particular sexual ethical ques- haps unwittingly – the aims of my work "Ultimately, in this book I propose a run Boston College, said, "Theologians tions do depart from some traditional and the nature of it as a proposal that framework for sexual ethics that uses do not see or present their work as Christian responses, I have tried to show might be in service of, not against, the criteria of justice in evaluating true and 'official church teaching' and few of the that they nonetheless reflect a deep co- church and its faithful people," she said. faithful sexual relationships and activi- (Continued on page 6) Gay ministry group refuses to sign oath By Brian Roewe "take public action to clarify the status of at its national conventions. The associa- lics, particularly those who feel unwel- National Catholic Reporter CALGM with regard to authentic Catho- tion maintains an office and mailing ad- come in the church. While it strives to June 25, 2012 lic ministry" should they refuse to take dress in Berkley, Calif., placing it under present church teaching clearly, its board an oath that requested that each member the watch of the Oakland bishop. stated in an April 15, 2011, letter to Cor- Following a more than yearlong "strive to clearly present Catholic doc- The investigation into the associa- dileone, the association does not view investigation into the group's "adherence trine on homosexuality in its fullness" tion and its "adherence to the fullness of catechesis as one of its duties. to the fullness of Catholic teaching," the and "profess personally to hold and be- Catholic teaching" began in late 2010 "We never speak anything opposed future of a national association of minis- lieve, and practice all that the holy through a Dec. 22 letter from Cordileone. to Catholic teaching. Regardless, our tries to gay and lesbian Catholics is un- Catholic church teaches, believes and Since then, the two sides have met in focus is pastoral ministry, not catechesis. certain because its board members re- proclaims to be true, whether from the person twice, and exchanged nearly a We bring people to a place where they fused to sign an "oath of personal integ- natural moral law or by way of revelation dozen letters. can seek catechesis from their own parish rity" to Catholic teaching given to them from God through Scripture and tradi- CALGM defines itself as a pastoral or faith community," Arthur Fitzmaurice, by the local bishop. tion." outreach organization and views its mis- a CALGM board member and its re- Declining the oath could result in The board has twice rejected the sion as "setting the table" for gay Catho- (Continued on page 9) Bishop Salvatore Cordileone of Oakland, bishop's request. Calif., declaring the Catholic Association "That you would require such an for Lesbian and Gay Ministry, or unprecedented and extensive manifesta- CALGM, as "not authentically Catholic," tion of our consciences suggests to us a letter to its members from the associa- that, irrespective of our pastoral effec- tion president warns. tiveness, you wish to force an end to "In good faith, we have done most these, admittedly difficult, conversations. everything required of us to maintain a You will not be receiving any signed legitimate space within the boundaries of oaths from the Board members," Nelson the institutional Church," president wrote in a March 29 letter, the first in- Sheila Nelson wrote to members April 5. forming the bishop of their decision. "Yet, this has not seemed to be adequate Formed in 1994 as an independent or satisfactory to the office of the bishop. 501(c)(3) charitable organization, We have repeatedly, abundantly and CALGM is a nationwide network of gay humbly submitted that our work is pas- outreach ministries. Its 200-plus mem- toral in nature and not political or pri- bers provide pastoral care for gay Catho- marily doctrinal." lics and their families in 25 states, and The Oakland bishop declined NCR's include nearly two dozen diocesan and request for comment. Mike Brown, the parish ministries -- each independent and diocese's director of communications, subject to its local pastor or diocese. issued a statement saying, "If the Bishop Casey Lopata, the cofounder of For- decides to make a public statement about tunate Families and a longtime member the CALGM organization, he will then of CALGM, said the network "keeps decide the best time and communication people connected … rather than in isola- method to do so." tion," but its importance extends beyond Cordileone's list of concerns with those in ministry. the association have included the omis- "I think the importance is that the sion of specific church documents on its people in the pews understand that there At World Pride in London website and publications; its use of the is a Catholic-affiliated association that terms gay and lesbian; members' state- supports gay and lesbian people and their New Ways Ministry‘s Executive Director Francis DeBernardo (left) proudly car- ments deemed critical of the church; and involvement within the church," he said. ries the organization‘s banner with Martin Pendergast, a longtime supporter, in the backgrounds, affiliations and public Though not an official organization the World Pride March in London, Englnand, on July 7, 2012. DeBernardo took statements of both conference speakers of the U.S. bishops' conference, CALGM part in a World Pride multi-faith international conference on faith and LGBT is- and board members. and its members interact regularly with sues while in London. He also conducted New Ways Ministry‘s ―Next Steps ― In an April 12 letter to the associa- bishops nationwide, and several bishops program for people in the United Kingdom. tion's board, Cordileone stated he would have spoken or celebrated the Eucharist Page 2 BONDINGS Vol. 32, No. 2 Catholics Among Christian Leaders B NDINGS Supporting LGBT Rights in Uganda Summer 2012 Vol. 32, No. 2 Bondings 2.0 people pose an inherent threat to our children and our so- Www.NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com cieties. LGBT people exist in every country and culture, Francis DeBernardo, Editor July 25, 2012 and we must learn to live in peace together to ensure the freedom of all, especially when we may disagree. Board of Directors The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human ―We condemn misguided actions that have led to in- Mary Byers Rights has released an open letter by American Christian creased bigotry and hatred of LGBT people in Uganda that Matthew Myers leaders expressing solidarity with LGBT Ugandans as that debases the inherent dignity of all humans created in the Ryan Sattler nation continues to consider anti-gay legislation.