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DignityUSA works for respect and justice for people of all sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities—especially gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons—in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy, and support. -- DignityUSA Mission Statement
Sep72013
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0
Our Return: The Story that Stuck with Me
By Sara Kelley
After I returned to the US following our trip to World Youth Day, many of my friends and family had such positive things to say to me. Members of my church and other progressive Catholic friends were so excited to talk to me about my experience, and share how they felt while following along with our journey online. In fact, I received 100% positive responses from friends and family.
There was one story, however, that a friend from my church in Baltimore told me, that gave me pause. Being very excited and supportive of the trip herself, she told me she had passed on one of the stories that was written about us to her neighbor, who is an older man in his 80s, and who is a gay Catholic. She told me that his response was one of anger. He asked what kind of church she attended that would support this kind of thing, quoted to her the Church’s stance on homosexuality, and told her that we were going against the Catholic Church by doing what we were doing at World Youth Day. My friend was surprised at this response from her neighbor, thinking that he would have been especially supportive, as a gay man himself.
That response is by far angrier than any conversation I had during the actual event. I didn’t receive any more details about this man and his life, but I had to speculate: Has he lived his whole life as a celibate Catholic? Is he angry because we’re now saying that no, you don’t have to follow the Church’s teaching on homosexuality to live a whole life? I want to be respectful of this man and his decisions, as well as any queer Catholic that decides to live his/her life as a celibate person, but that is the sort of story I hear that makes me know we have to keep working on the hierarchy, even if the people are far ahead.
The hierarchy of the Catholic Church wields a power that they may not realize they have. While many younger people take what the bishops have to say with a grain of salt (or two), there are many people still out there, young and old, who pay a great deal of attention to what the hierarchy has to say. That’s why it is still important that we’re working on the hierarchy as well as the people. Don’t get me wrong: I think it speaks volumes that the vast majority of our conversations at World Youth Day were very positive, but getting the hierarchy on board with equality will be a huge part in changing the direction of the Church, because some people follow exactly what the hierarchy has to say.
So what’s next? We’ve got to keep asking bishops questions like our brave pilgrim Ellen did, and we’ve got to get all those people who were so supportive of us to ask their bishops questions as well. I don’t know my friend’s neighbor. I don’t know if he’s had a happy life or one full of frustration and sadness. Either way, he’s been lied to by a Church that has told him that he can’t be Catholic and gay, and not celibate; let’s keep proving this wrong until the hierarchy recognizes that it is.
Vision Statement
DignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality, and as beloved persons of God participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society.
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DignityUSA works for respect and justice for people of all sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities—especially gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons—in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy, and support. -- DignityUSA Mission Statement
Sep72013
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0
Pope Francis: “Who Am I to Judge?” What does this mean for Dignity?
Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive Director
If I had any doubt about the power of the Papal pulpit, it disappeared in the days following Pope Francis’ post-World Youth Day onboard press conference in which he addressed a reporter’s question on a “gay lobby” in the Vatican. There was truly global focus on the Pope’s responses, which included, “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?" and a statement that gay people should not be marginalized. China, Saudi Arabia, and Russia were among the many, many places that DignityUSA’s reaction to this statement was quoted!
A few moments on a plane have had tremendous repercussions, and many continue to wonder about the ongoing impact of the Pope’s remarks. Naturally, we question what this may mean for DignityUSA and our allies. Here are a few reflections, now that the Pope’s comments have had some time to reverberate.
The Importance of the Pope’s Use of “gay.” The changes in culture that the LGBT movement has achieved have made their way to the Vatican! A Pope who comes to Peter’s throne from a public ministry brings a different sensibility than someone elevated from a Vatican office. He has lived in the “real world” and has had more exposure to the dramatic turnaround in the lives of most LGBT people. Can we assume that he has had openly LGBT friends and colleagues, and has witnessed the kinds of lives we lead as he went about his pastoral duties? Will this personal experience create the kind of dissonance with Church teaching that we have seen lead to conversion among many?
The Official vs. the Popular Response. I received the first media call about the Pope’s comments at 7:45 am on a Monday morning. The phone did not stop ringing until 10:40 pm, and there were times I had six reporters waiting for responses. On Tuesday morning, on my way home from a TV studio where I had made a live appearance on Canada’s national morning news show, I heard that Cardinal Dolan, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), was making the rounds of the US morning shows. His message was that the Pope simply reiterated official Church teaching, and all the hoopla was misplaced. This tone was echoed in numerous statements issued by bishops in the ensuing hours. But, as so often happens, Catholics and other people of faith heard the Pope very differently from Church officials. Countless people found something positive in these comments. For most, it was significant to have the Pope recognize us as people of faith and good will, and to affirm our place in society. There is power in the fact that so many found this so uplifting and liberating. The bishops saw the need to negate that power and to do so rapidly. The bishops also did not want people to dwell on why these simple words that, really, simply acknowledge basic human dignity were received with such immense gratitude, marking as they did a radical departure from the dehumanizing rhetoric of our two most recent Popes. To examine the pain caused by decades of being demeaned and demonized would bring unwelcome attention to the unchristian way our leaders have treated us for too long.
Around the same time the Pope made his comments, the USCCB sent a letter to the Senate Committee reviewing ENDA, the bill that would provide employment protections for LGBT people in many workplaces. They strongly condemned ENDA as an endorsement of immoral behavior, even though the law protects people on the basis of identity, not relationship status. Our bishops’ positions like this become even more appalling in light of the tone taken by the Pope, and I’m sure the bishops don’t want that mirror to be held up.
No Change in Policy. Pope Francis reiterated official Church policy on a number of issues, including same-sex relationships and the ordination of women. This disappointed some, and was a source of vindication to others. To me, this is a clear sign that the work in which we are so intensely engaged remains critically important. Barriers to full equality and to God’s people benefitting from the gifts of all members of the human community remain, and we must continue to dismantle them. We cannot rely on any member of the Church hierarchy to do this work; it is the work of the people.
So let us see Pope Francis’ words as a glint of light in a dark space, illuminating a path forward. Let us gravitate to the glow, and continue to crack open the walls that keep people in shadow, in fear, and in confusion. And let us also remember that we, too, are bearers of light, a light that is clear, warm, comforting, and pure. This light is just as bright, if not brighter, than the light the Pope has brought, so “let it shine before all, so they may see the good that you do and give glory to God.” (Matthew 5:16)
Vision Statement
DignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality, and as beloved persons of God participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society.
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tel: 800.877.8797
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email: info@dignityusa.org
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DignityUSA works for respect and justice for people of all sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities—especially gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons—in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy, and support. -- DignityUSA Mission Statement
Sep72013
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0
Finding Hope at World Youth Day
By Lauren Carpenter
If I had to pick one word to summarize my World Youth Day experience, it would be hope. I expected that going to World Youth Day would be going straight into the lion’s den because most of the attendees would be conservative Catholic youth who would either ignore us or argue with us. And indeed there were plenty of people who took the long way around to avoid us as we passed out prayer cards, or who “agreed to disagree” after long conversations. What I was not expecting were the many, many positive responses we got. People would see our banner and seek us out to say things like, “thank you for being here,” or “you are so brave,” or my personal favorite, “The church needs you; keep doing what you’re doing.” We had a group of young people from Ireland come up to us and say that there were nine of them there from their church group, and four of them were gay. They were amazed that an organization like Equally Blessed existed and want to start something in Ireland. We also had a lot of young people who would tell us that one of their best friends was gay, and took a copy of nearly every brochure that we had. We had a priest walk by who gave us a wink and a discrete thumbs-up. We even got an email from a young woman who found one of our cards on the ground at the hostel where she was staying and emailed us to see how she could get involved. There are so many more stories I could share like these.
One of the highlights for all of us was the moment that our group member Ellen got to ask a question of the Bishop during a Q & A. She pointed out the contradiction of being asked to minister to the marginalized while the Church marginalized her as a lesbian, and asked the Bishop his thoughts. After she asked the question, the church erupted in applause. I get chills just thinking about it because it was so unexpected and powerful. The applause of those young people showed us that they are hungry for dialogue. They want us to ask questions because they want their LGBT brothers and sisters to be welcome in the Church. They want to speak, but maybe have not found their voices yet. My hope is that on this pilgrimage, we helped give some pro-LGBT Catholics their voice. I think there are many young people in the Church who want to be supportive, but just have not found the voice to do so. I hope that by seeing an example of what it means to be an LGBT Catholic or ally, and by knowing that entire organizations of people exist who support LGBT Catholics, they will find their voice and join our movement, even if it just means speaking up when they hear friends, youth ministers, or parish priests say harmful things about LGBT people.
I also pray that our experience can be an inspiration for all of you. I know many of you in the Dignity community have devoted your entire lives to this work, and you should know that, in my opinion, there is reason for hope.
Vision Statement
DignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality, and as beloved persons of God participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society.
Preregister here
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DignityUSA
PO Box 376
Medford, MA 02155
tel: 800.877.8797
202.861.0017
fax: 781.397.0584
email: info@dignityusa.org
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DignityUSA works for respect and justice for people of all sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities—especially gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons—in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy, and support. -- DignityUSA Mission Statement
Sep72013
The work of DignityUSA on September 7, 2013 could have been sponsored by you. Click here for more information.
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0
LGBT Catholics Support Pope's Call for Day of Prayer for Peace
Dignity Communities Urged to Echo this Prayer during Weekend Gatherings
Boston, MA. September 4, 2013. DignityUSA and its member communities across this nation deeply grieve the horror experienced among the Syrian people because of the use of chemical weapons. We deplore the violence the civil war in Syria has unleashed, and we join Pope Francis in his call for peace through prayer and fasting on Saturday, September 7th. His words tremble with passion: “[W]e want a peaceful world, we want to be men and women of peace, and we want in our society, torn apart by divisions and conflict, that peace break out! War never again! Never again war!”
We call on Dignity members, friends, chapter communities and caucuses from Boston to Honolulu to pray fervently for peace this weekend. As a Catholic community of LGBT people and allies, we join in anguish with all people who struggle for freedom from harm and persecution. This moment in our world cries out for solidarity through prayer and action.
Again in the words of Pope Francis: “Humanity needs to see these gestures of peace and to hear words of hope and peace!”
###
DignityUSA is the nation’s leading organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Catholics and allies. Founded in 1969, the group has members and Chapters across the United States. It is a founding member of the Equally Blessed coalition.
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DignityUSA.
Pope Francis.
peace in Syria.
day of prayer for peace.
LGBT Catholics.
Vision Statement
DignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality, and as beloved persons of God participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society.
Preregister here
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PO Box 376
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tel: 800.877.8797
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fax: 781.397.0584
email: info@dignityusa.org
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DignityUSA works for respect and justice for people of all sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities—especially gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons—in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy, and support. -- DignityUSA Mission Statement
Sep72013
The work of DignityUSA on September 7, 2013 could have been sponsored by you. Click here for more information.
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0
Dignity/Honolulu Has an Active Summer 2013
By Gene Corpuz
The Dignity/Honolulu chapter has been busy this summer, in addition to their weekly liturgies and monthly video nights. Gene Corpuz, Tim Earhart, and Alan Campo attended the DignityUSA Convention in Minneapolis from July 4 -7. Joining them was Michael Liendecker who is a dual Honolulu and Philadelphia chapter member. Michael helped carry the Honolulu banner with Tim during the Opening Ceremonies Parade of Banners. They enjoyed the plenary sessions and workshops and had a chance to network with other DignityUSA members.
On Sunday, July 28, the chapter held their annual Mary of Magdala liturgy, promoted by FutureChurch, which honors Mary as the “Apostle to the Apostles.” Mary of Magdala events around the country recognize the contribution of women in the Church. In Honolulu, the liturgy was led by a lay presider and chapter member, Gina Cardazone, and the homily was presented by a Maryknoll nun, Sister Joan Chatfield. About 20 people attended this liturgy which was followed by a potluck in the St. Mark’s Church parish hall.
Dignity/Honolulu sponsored a lecture presented by Daniel Helminiak, on Saturday, August 3rd at St. Mark’s Church in Honolulu, titled, “What Today’s Science Says About Sexuality.” He reviewed the scientific data and research on sexuality, including those related to sexual orientation and gender identity. He pointed out the Church’s antiquated view of sexuality (procreation) as it does not support loving relationships in the LGBT community. Daniel Helminiak is a former priest, theologian, and professor of psychology at the University of West Georgia. He is the author of several books, including The Transcended Christian, Meditation Without Myth, and What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality. He has presented workshops at numerous DignityUSA conventions and contributed material for the brochure, Catholicism, Homosexuality and Dignity. Daniel also was the homilist for the Honolulu chapter’s weekly liturgy on August 4th.
Dignity/Honolulu was featured in the local newspaper, the Honolulu Star Advertiser’s Religion section in an article printed on August 4. Gene Corpuz was interviewed by staff writer Pat Gee regarding responses to Pope Francis’ statements regarding LGBT people. Gene stated, “It’s nice to hear the Pope say that gay people…. are people of faith and good will. We were pleased with the tone… hope it changes the tone of cardinals and bishops ….in their rhetoric supporting discriminatory laws.” You can read the full text of the article on the Dignity/Honolulu website. Dignity Honolulu was one of many Dignity groups making statements to the press regarding the Pope’s statement on LGBT people.
Vision Statement
DignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality, and as beloved persons of God participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society.
Preregister here
User menu
Create content
Search form
Search
Join Our DignityUSA News List
DignityUSA
PO Box 376
Medford, MA 02155
tel: 800.877.8797
202.861.0017
fax: 781.397.0584
email: info@dignityusa.org
Leadership Team
•National Board of Directors
•Staff
•Media Contacts
•National Office
RSS Feeds
RSS Feeds for this site are:
Featured Articles
Breath of the Spirit
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Everything
Copyright ©1998-2013, DignityUSA. Permission is granted for use and alteration by any DignityUSA affiliated chapter without permission.
For further use contact DignityUSA for permission.
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DignityUSA
Celebrating the wholeness and holiness of LGBTQ Catholics
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What is Dignity?»Position & Purpose
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Starting a Chapter
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Recommended Reading
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Contact Us»DignityUSA Information
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Site Index
DignityUSA works for respect and justice for people of all sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities—especially gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons—in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy, and support. -- DignityUSA Mission Statement
Sep72013
The work of DignityUSA on September 7, 2013 could have been sponsored by you. Click here for more information.
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0
Dignity/Honolulu Has an Active Summer 2013
By Gene Corpuz
The Dignity/Honolulu chapter has been busy this summer, in addition to their weekly liturgies and monthly video nights. Gene Corpuz, Tim Earhart, and Alan Campo attended the DignityUSA Convention in Minneapolis from July 4 -7. Joining them was Michael Liendecker who is a dual Honolulu and Philadelphia chapter member. Michael helped carry the Honolulu banner with Tim during the Opening Ceremonies Parade of Banners. They enjoyed the plenary sessions and workshops and had a chance to network with other DignityUSA members.
On Sunday, July 28, the chapter held their annual Mary of Magdala liturgy, promoted by FutureChurch, which honors Mary as the “Apostle to the Apostles.” Mary of Magdala events around the country recognize the contribution of women in the Church. In Honolulu, the liturgy was led by a lay presider and chapter member, Gina Cardazone, and the homily was presented by a Maryknoll nun, Sister Joan Chatfield. About 20 people attended this liturgy which was followed by a potluck in the St. Mark’s Church parish hall.
Dignity/Honolulu sponsored a lecture presented by Daniel Helminiak, on Saturday, August 3rd at St. Mark’s Church in Honolulu, titled, “What Today’s Science Says About Sexuality.” He reviewed the scientific data and research on sexuality, including those related to sexual orientation and gender identity. He pointed out the Church’s antiquated view of sexuality (procreation) as it does not support loving relationships in the LGBT community. Daniel Helminiak is a former priest, theologian, and professor of psychology at the University of West Georgia. He is the author of several books, including The Transcended Christian, Meditation Without Myth, and What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality. He has presented workshops at numerous DignityUSA conventions and contributed material for the brochure, Catholicism, Homosexuality and Dignity. Daniel also was the homilist for the Honolulu chapter’s weekly liturgy on August 4th.
Dignity/Honolulu was featured in the local newspaper, the Honolulu Star Advertiser’s Religion section in an article printed on August 4. Gene Corpuz was interviewed by staff writer Pat Gee regarding responses to Pope Francis’ statements regarding LGBT people. Gene stated, “It’s nice to hear the Pope say that gay people…. are people of faith and good will. We were pleased with the tone… hope it changes the tone of cardinals and bishops ….in their rhetoric supporting discriminatory laws.” You can read the full text of the article on the Dignity/Honolulu website. Dignity Honolulu was one of many Dignity groups making statements to the press regarding the Pope’s statement on LGBT people.
Vision Statement
DignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality, and as beloved persons of God participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society.
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