OUR BOOKSHELF

"We are in the midst of great social change regarding our understanding of homosexuality spurred by scientific studies about human sexuality. What is needed now is an intense dialogue among people of good will that will incorporate this new understanding of sexuality into our theology.”                                                                      -- Linda Pieczynski, Call To Action

Listed Here are books recommended by several Catholic gay organizations.

We would like to give our visitors some indication of where to begin.  If you have read any of these, please TELL US what you thought of the book -- your own review for our readers.  We will make the reviews available to our visitors. Please rate each book you review with a 4-Star rating: From a low (1-Star) interest to a very high (4-Star) interest.

Gay Catholic Forum recommends --

Gifted By Otherness: Gay and Lesbian Christians in the Church, by L. William Countryman and M. R. Ritley. Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburgh, PA., 2001

Taking a Chance on God: Liberating Theology for Gays, Lesbians, and Their Lovers, Families, and Friends, by John J. McNeill.  Beacon Press, Boston, MA, 1988, 1996.

Faith Beyond Resentment: Fragments Catholic and Gay, by James Alison. The Crossroad Publishing Company, New York, 2001.  (UK: Darton-Longman & Todd, London)

On Being Liked, by James Alison. The Crossroad Publishing Company, New York, 2003. (UK: Darton-Longman & Todd, London)

My Hope for the Church: Critical Encouragement for the Twenty-First Century, by Bernard Haring, C.Ss.R. Liguori/Triumph, Liguori, MO, 1997.
  (Ed. Note: Father Bernard Haring is generally considered the most significant “expert” at the Second Vatican Council in the field of moral theology.  In this book, which was published less and a year before his death in 1998, he only mentions the word, “homosexuality” once.  No matter.  Every gay/lesbian Catholic needs to read this book.  Haring puts our entire religious struggle with the church in perspective. Reading it prayerfully is sure to restore your hope and strengthen your faith.)

Telling Truths in Church:  Scandal, Flesh, and Christian Speech, By Mark D. Jordan, Beacon Press, Boston, 2003.

The Church Women Want: Catholic Women in Dialogue, by Elizabeth A. Johnson, The Crossroad Publishing Company, New York, 2002.

She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse, by Elizabeth A. Johnson.  The Crossroad Publishing Company, New York.

Gays and Grays: The Story of the Gay Community at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, by Donal Godfrey.  Lexington Books, Lanham, MD, 2007.

We Were Baptized Too: Claiming God’s Grace for Lesbians and Gays, by Marilyn Bennett Alexander and James Preston, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, KY, 1996.

Voices of Hope, edited by Jeannine Gramick and Robert Nugent, Center for Homophobia Education, New York, 1995.

AIDS, Gays and the American Catholic Church, by Richard Smith, The Pilgrim Press, Cleveland, 1994.

Building Bridges, by Robert Nugent and Jeannine Gramick, Twenty-Third Publications, Mystic, CT, 1992.

Dignity/USA Recommendations

These books on religion and homosexuality have been recommended by Dignity/USA:

Both Feet Firmly Planted in Midair: My Spiritual Journey. John McNeill. Westminster John Knox Press, 1998.

Can Homophobia Be Cured? Wrestling with Questions that Challenge the Church. Bruce Hilton, Abington Press, 1992.

Coming Out to God: Prayers for Lesbians and Gay Men, Their Families and Friends. Chris Glaser. Westminster John Knox Press, 1991.

Homosexuality and Religion. Richard Hasbany, editor. Haworth Press, 1990.

In God's Image; Christian Witness to the Need for Gay/Lesbian Equality in the Eyes of the Church. Robert Warren Cromey. Alamo Square Press, San Francisco, 1991.

Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? A Positive Christian Response. Letha Scanzoni and Virginia R. Mollenkott, Harper San Francisco, 1994.

The New Testament and Homosexuality. Robin Scroggs, Augsburg Fortress, 1984.

Pastor, I Am Gay. Rev. Howard H. Bess. Palmer Publishing Company, 1995.

Stranger at the Gate. Rev. Mel White, Simon & Schuster, 1995.

Twice Blessed: On Being Gay & Jewish. Christie Balka and Andy Rose, editors. Beacon Press, 1989.

What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality. Daniel A. Helminiak, Ph.D. Alamo Square Press, May 2000.

Conference for Catholic Lesbians Recommendations

The following books have been recommended by the Conference for Catholic Lesbians:

L'amour entre femmes dans l'Eglise catholique: Et CIEL parlait, ce serait l'ENFER?, by Débora and Judith, published by AdA, Varennes (Quebec) Canada.

Listen to the Stories: Gay and Lesbian Catholics Talk About Their Lives and the Church, Edited by Raymond C. Holtz, Garland Publishing, Inc., New York, 1991.

A Faith of One's Own: Explorations by Catholic Lesbians. Edited by Barbara Zanotti, The Crossing Press, Trumansburg, New York, 1986.

Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy, by Judith C. Brown, Oxford University Press, New York, 1986.

Lesbian Nuns: Breaking Silence, Edited by Rosemary Curb & Nancy Manahan, The Naiad Press, Inc., 1985.

Fierce Tenderness, A Feminist Theology of Friendship, by Mary E. Hunt, The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1991.

A Challenge to Love, by Robert Nugent, Crossroads Press, 1983.

Women-Church: Theology and Practice of Feminist Liturgical Communities, by Rosemary Radford Reuther, Harper & Row, 1986.

Beyond God the Father, by Mary Daly, Beacon Press, Boston, 1973.

In Memory of Her, by Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza, Crossroad Press, 1983.

Homosexuality and the Catholic Church, edited by Jeannine Gramick, The Thomas More Press, Chicago, 1983.

New Catholic Women: A Contemporary Challenge to Traditional Religious Authority, by Mary Jo Weaver, Harper & Row, San Francisco, 1985.

Midwives of the Future: American Sisters Tell Their Story, Ann Patrick Ware, Leaven Press, Kansas City, MO, 1986.

Beyond Patching: Faith and Feminism in the Catholic Church, by Sandra M. Schneiders, Paulist Press, Mahwah, New Jersey, 1991.

Beyond Anger: On Being a Feminist in the Church, by Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ, Paulist Press, 1986.

Contemporary Roman Catholicism: Crisis and Challenges, by Rosemary Radford Reuther, Sheed & Ward, Kansas City, Mo., 1987.

The Inside Stories: 13 Valiant Women Challenging the Church, by Annie Lally Millhaven, Twenty-Third Publications, Mystic, CT., 1987.

From Nuns to Sisters: An Expanding Vocation, by Marie Augusta Neal, SSND, Twenty-Third Publications, Mystic, CT., 1987.

The Catholic Moment: The Paradox of the Church in the Post-Modern World, by John Neuhaus, Harper & Row, San Francisco, 1987.

Once A Catholic: Prominent Catholics and Ex-Catholics Discuss the Influence of the Church on Their Lives and Work, by Peter Occhiogrosso, Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1987.

The Catholic Myth: The Behavior and Beliefs of American Catholics, by Andrew M. Greeley, New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1990.

Woman Wisdom, A Feminist Lectionary and Psalter, Woman of the Hebrew Scriptures: Part I, by Miriam Therese Winter. Crossroads/Continuum Press, 1991.

Understanding Catholicism, Monica K. Hellwig, Paulist Press, 1981.

Why You Can Disagree--And Remain A Faithful Catholic, by Philip S. Kaufman, Meyer-Stone Books, Bloomington, IN, 1989.

People of God: The Struggle for World Catholicism, by Penny Lernoux, London, Penguin Books, 1989.

Mother Church: What the Experience of Women is Teaching Her, by Sally Cunneen, Paulist Press, 1991.

Generous Lives: American Catholic Women Today, by Jane Redmont, William Morrow and Company, New York, 1992.

The Catholic, by David Plante, Atheneum, New York, 1986.

Are we missing some? Let us know. If possible, please include a brief review.