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Seminary Rejection?
Hello,
I'm a staff reporter at the New York Times, assigned to the religion beat.
I've been working on a story about Benedict XVI's instructions (2005) regarding the barring of candidates with "deeply rooted homosexual tendencies" from the seminary.
I would like to talk to anyone who applied to a Catholic seminary and was turned away -- if the candidate felt it was because he was considered gay.
I will respect the annonymity of anyone who requests it.
Please contact me by email or phone.
Thanks.
Paul Vitello
The New York Times
212-556-5233
917-439-3614
vitello@nytimes.com
Invitation from the Ecumenical Catholic Communion
Dear Friends at Gay Catholic Forum,
First, I would like express my gratitude and prayerful support for all that you are undertaking with your Gay Catholic Forum! What an oasis in which to drink and be satisfied enough to continue on the journey!
Second, I would like to ask if you are open to including our Ecumenical Catholic Communion (http://www.ecumenical-catholic-communion.org) in your listings of welcoming and affirming Catholic communities. We are born from our love for the Catholic faith and community, but deeply dissatisfied with the Roman Curia's approach to pastoral care and inclusion in community of our LGBT sisters and brothers. Each of our communities is deeply committed to radical hospitality to all people, particularly those who have been marginalized in the larger Church.
Finally, I have included (see attachment) a copy of our Presiding Bishop, Peter E. Hickman's pastoral letter on human sexuality, "The Sacred Body." I think that you might find it refreshing and life-giving. You are welcome to include this in your Resources page if you like.
Again, thank you so very much for your energy and ministry to us...you make a huge difference!
God's peace and every blessing,
Fr. Steve Rosczewski,
pastor
Holy Spirit Ecumenical Catholic Church
"Because it's not about rules, it's about relationships!"
6152 126th Avenue, Ste 500 (Oaklefe Center)
Largo, FL 33773-1848
Join us for Sunday Mass: 10:30AM
Parish Office Hours: Tues - Thurs, 9:30am-4:00pm
T: 727.232.3918 (Office)
W: http://www.holyspiritecc.org
W: http://www.ecumenical-catholic-communion.org
E: fr.steve@holyspiritecc.org
Victory in Connecticut?
Hello, I am a straight woman who lives in CT. Over the past several
weeks, I have been attending church every weekend, and hearing them read
letters from the bishop about protesting a Senate bill. According to
the Catholic Review: Pulpit announcements read in churches statewide
April 18 and 19 called on Catholics to help defeat a Senate bill that
seeks to codify the Connecticut Supreme Court's ruling last October
legalizing same-sex marriage but that "fails to protect the First
Amendment rights of individuals, religious organizations and related
societies."
I sat in church this morning, as I listened to the priest read the
bishop's letter about their "victory," and was very saddened to hear it,
and am considering leaving the church over this issue. I feel like a
fraud sitting in church and giving the church money. I would love to
hear from someone from your group about their views on this, as I am
confused and angry about this, because I would be walking away from a
lifetime of being a Catholic.
Thank you.
Sharon
(Editor’s Note: If you would like to reply to Sharon, please send your comments to us. We will forward them to Sharon. We may also print them for our readers, unless you specifically ask us not to do that).
Coming Home
Hi,
When in college my spiritual director gave me an article that described love itself as being procreative and life giving for the two committed persons. I have a friend who is writing his masters thesis on law and the Catholic Church’s view on homosexuality and I cannot find the article and cannot remember the author. Do you know of this article or others that are similar?
Thank You
Matthew
(Editor’s Note: If you know of this or similar articles, please use the “Contact Us” button and we will forward the information to Matthew).
Coming Home
I just started exploring your website. I did find Father Helminiak's remarks helpful. I think I've been at the point for awhile where my own conscience decided that homosexual acts were not sinful. That said, I have struggled to remain Catholic. About five years ago, for the first time in my life (I'm 53), I stopped attending Sunday Mass. Occasionally I would attend, but more often I would attend an Episcopal service. I was angry at the Church. I felt they had broken their end of the bargain. That is, I had remained celibate my entire life, yet I felt I was no longer wanted. The church seemed blatantly anti-gay - opposing gay marriage, rooting out gay seminarians, calling gays intrinsically disordered. And then last year, I hit rock bottom. I just stopped attending church period. I didn't feel connected to the Episcopal church nor the Catholic church. I was becoming a person disconnected from God.
Recently things have changed. I discovered the Gay Christian Network. There I met other gay men who still remained Catholic despite the difficulty. One suggested that I try to find a parish that was gay accepting. As it turns out, on the website, gaychurch.org, a Catholic parish about nine miles from where I live was listed . I attended the last two weekends. What an experience. The bitterness and anger was gone. I took great pleasure in making the responses, saying the prayers, singing the hymns. I felt Catholic again and realized how deeply I hungered to feel part of the Church again.
I am in the process of trying to come out. I decided to do this after seeing the movie "Prayers for Bobby" at the end of January. Ironically, finally accepting my sexuality has made me feel closer to God. Believe me, it's still a struggle. I frequently find myself in tears at the oddest moments (in the grocery store, driving to work) . I wonder why God made me this way, what took me so long to get to this point, if I will ever find someone to love. But I know God is there for me. I pray daily for the strength to continue on this journey.
Thank you for creating this forum. It is deeply appreciated.
Steve
Open Minded
I am an open minded individual and have become more secular since I graduated college. I am not atheist, but have become free-spirited since I minored in philosophy (a love of wisdom). I was raised as a Western Catholic, but I am not what I was taught to be (religion has been proven wrong throughout its history). I believe that everyone’s choices are theirs to make and I am not making it for them. I think that homosexuals have a right to be married. I mean, they're people too, why deny them that right? I am also pro-choice. My reasoning for that is based on historical aspects. There is that old English saying, “those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” True or true? Go back to Prohibition (there were probably Christian groups who praised that), did drinking stop simply because it was illegal? No. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, abortion will not end, it will merely go underground and will cause potential problems; as so happened with Prohibition. I was taught to hate people who didn't think like I was taught to think, but I view that as unnecessary. I have developed a better understanding on people in general since college and even a greater respect.
Nathan
Confusion and Guilt
I am a senior in high school about ready to leave off to college. I have known that I have been homosexual for a long time, but have never known what to do about it. I have been raised from a very strict orthodox catholic family, who have always condemned any relations who have been this way as well. For the majority of my teenage years, I have been beating myself up about this. I am doing so as I am writing this e-mail, and am trying not to.
I've read your website, and I was extremely relieved to find out that I am not the only Catholic person with this symptom. But unfortunately, I couldn't find an answer to one of my questions.
a) If we can just disregard the entire Church's teachings on homosexuality, how do we know that we should limit our sexual activity?
b) Is there any way that I can overcome this tremendous amount of guilt over this issue? Is it possible after being indoctrinated against it since childhood?
Thank you.
Dear Senior,
Thank you for being so honest and for sharing your genuine and real concerns on this very important matter.
The first thing to realize is that you are a good person as a homosexual. The saying goes that God does not make rubbish. God made you and, as the Bible tells us, “God liked what God saw.” That includes you.
Your letter is really asking several different, yet related questions.
The first question seems related to the orientation itself. The Church teaches officially that this is neutral. The American bishops, through a Committee on Marriage and Family in their letter called "Always Our Children" have said: "Welcome homosexual persons into the faith community. Seek out those on the margins. Avoid stereotyping and condemnations." And in 1976 the US bishops said: "Homosexuals, like everyone else, should not suffer from prejudice against their basic human rights. They have a right to respect, friendship and justice. They should have an active role in the Christian community." Well that includes you! You have a right to an active role in the Christian community.
So the first thing I would say is that you do not need to beat yourself up about your given orientation. In fact, it would help if you knew and experienced the reality that God loves you exactly the way you are.
Regarding the specifics of what to do about it, how you live this reality out, and the teachings of the church regarding homosexual activity, I think you probably already know that the official church says (in an overly simplistic summary here) that the orientation is fine and well but that any same-sex sexual activity, even in a loving committed relationship, would be sinful. However, the church also teaches that our consciences are primary.
Gay Catholics differ on this issue. Many have come to decide that their consciences tell them that they have to live out of who they truly are in their sexual lives as well as in every other area. As a serious Catholic, you will have to decide your own approach to this matter for yourself. Take your time. In many respects, your situation is similar to that of heterosexual couples who must decide whether or not to use contraception. Many choose to do so as a matter of conscience, but remain Catholics in good standing. You need to know that whatever you decide on this serious matter you can still be a good Catholic.
I cannot tell you what you should decide. You will have to discern this for yourself. Ultimately, you need to listen to where God is calling you and what God wants you to do with and in your life wherever this takes you.
With warm wishes,
Father D.
Tough Position
Hi
I just visited your website. I am a Catholic male who has been struggling with same sex attractions all my life. I also happen to be married with children. The older I become the harder it is to supress these feelings. I am really in a tough position because if I come out I would destroy the lives of many people. If I keep my feelings hidden then its hard on me. I guess the latter of the two choices is the best.
It would really be helpful if I could correspond with another gay man. Some interaction would be so nice and enjoyable. I look forward to a reply.Thanks
Dan
Welcoming Pastor
Please add Sacred Heart Church, 400 NE Ash Street, Pullman WA 99163 to your list of welcoming communities.
Rev. Edgar Borchardt, Pastor
Best Book
Hallo, i am Bert, a priest living in Holland. If i am not wrong, i notice that your list of books is missing the best book i've ever read on the subject: Father Gareth Moore, O.P., A question of truth: christianity and homosexuality, 2003, Continuum, London and New York. ISBN 0-8264-5949-8 This book is written from the perspective of a catholic moral theologian and addresses the arguments raised by the Magisterium, following the same methodology as the Magisterium; something which no other author i have read, except the jesuit priest - McCarthy, i believe was his name, has managed to do.
Many compliments on your website.
Sincerely in Christ,
Bert
A Different View from Rome
We thank you for your site and send this link to a sympathetic (we hope) blog. It is not of exclusively gay interest, although there are references to the subject, which is much in the air in Italy at the present time. http://catholicsagainsttheocracy.blogspot.com/
With kind regards and best wishes,
Verity,
Rome
catholix@libero.it
How Many Gay Catholics Are There?
Hi, there!
I am a gay catholic writer (and lector) at a gay friendly parish in Boston (Saint Anthony Shrine). I am seeking reliable stats concerning the number of GLBT Catholics -- I mean GLBT who identify as Catholic, Catholics who identify as GLBT, and GLBT persons who were raised Catholic but now lapsed.
Have you ever seen any such stats?
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer,
Scott Pomfret
Can You Help?
Hello,
I am writing in hopes of finding some sort of help. My 13 year old son just came out and said he is gay. He goes to a small Catholic school, and was called into the principal’s office today about the rumors going around school. A lot of the kids are being very hateful and mean to him, as they have been for years, because he did not fit in with the other boys.
He wants to try to go to a public school because he feels like they are teaching him that he is a bad person and that God is against homosexuality. He feels like he will fit in better in a public school.
I am a little overwhelmed about everything, and although I tried really hard to be supportive of him, I am just so shocked that at 13 he is already so sure of his sexuality, but after doing some research, I have found this is fairly common.
My question is that I would like some advice on the school situation - if anyone has had similar problems and what steps or advice can they give me. I am looking at other resources to help the whole family - I am so worried about depression and suicide.
Any help would be appreciated,
Theresa
God Bless You for Your Faith
Hi,
I probably won't join your forum but I just wanted to say a few things. I'm Catholic, and I'll admit, I stand with the Church and with the Pope in issues like this. But reguardless of personal opinion I think this forum, and all of you posting on it are awesome. There isn't enough faith left in this world, we shouldn't be squashing what little is still around.
As a Catholic and a Christian there were two things pounded into my head...
1) DO NOT JUDGE and 2) Pray for EVERYONE, pray for those you love, pray for your enemies, pray for the people who you don't think deserve it, pray for those who have sinned, THAT is the mark of a true Christian, not someone who prays for those he/she loves, but one who prays for all the people
So yeah, I don't agree with you, yeah I think you're wrong, but hey, I think a lot of people/things are wrong. I guess I just wanted to say that we love you as our brothers and sisters and we are praying for you. People come up to me and say "Hey, why do you hate gays!?" I don't, the people I've talked to don't. Yeah, we don't like homosexuality, but we don't hate you because you are. So, God bless all, and kudos for standing firm inyour belief in our Lord, Jesus Christ.
"Do not abandon yourselves to despair, for we are the Easter people
and hallelujah is our song."
-Our Holy Father John Paul II, "Papa"
Maiya
Book Recommendation
I found a fascinating article and book review on the net that you might want to reprint or review this book yourself. It is called "That Undeniable Longing – My Road to and from the Priesthood" by Mark Tedesco.
Take a look. I think the readers will enjoy it as much as I did.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art46971.asp
Mark Nemetz
Someone to Walk Beside Me In Faith
Thank you for the web site. It is trully encouraging. I was wondering if there are any web sites that help pair up gay Catholics. I do desire to journey with a man who can walk beside me in faith as well. I was a Franciscan monk for 10 years, I left the community 10 years ago. It has been somewhat difficult to find someone in the gay community who can share in my way of life. Thank you again for your work and hoping you can help me out in my journey.
Franco
Convert Requests Prayers
Hello, I am a 26-year old gay male from Eastern North Carolina. For several years now I have felt a very special calling to become Catholic. I am finally in an RCIA program at my local parish. I consider myself to be very "out." Not everyone in my parish knows but several do and it is certainly not something that I try to hide. Over the years I have come to see my gayness as a special gift from God and for that I am glad.
I am going through a lot right now with coming into the Catholic Church. I was an Episcopalian before coming to the RCC and I guess sometimes I think I'm crazy for leaving a (at least partly) "gay-friendly" church for a church that condemns my sexuality as "disordered." But I still can't help feeling that for so long I have felt a very intense pull toward the Catholic Church and I feel at peace with being there. However, it's still hard for me. I'm just scared that, as an openly gay male, I will inflict more pain on myself by coming into the Catholic Church. I have no compalints with the way in which I have been treated by my priest or others in the church (everyone has been great) but I know that the "offical teaching" and Hierachy of the church is a different story. So I guess everything is still up in the air. I really don't have that many gay Catholics to talk to (though my RCIA sponsor is bisexual) and my parish is pretty conservative.
Anyway, glad I found your site. I would appreciate your prayers.
Pax,
~Brandon from NC
Trying to Understand
Hello,
I am 25 year old lesbian in a committed monogamous relationship with another woman for the last 18 months. We are dedicated to spending our lives together and have a very deep love for each other that motivates us to work hard at creating and maintaining a wonderful and fulfilling relationship for us both.
My partner's family is Catholic and her mother is particularly fanatical about it and will not accept that gay people exist let alone that we are not evil for loving each
other. I am struggling to understand her perspective and was hoping you may be able to help me understand how to communicate with this lady so we both have a win-win outcome? Why would God allow my partner and I who are both good people, to go to hell? Why would he let us fall in love if it was so wrong?
Please help.
RJ
Hey, RJ,
There are Catholics out there who agree with you. Unfortunately, what the official Church teaches encourages some Catholics to think otherwise. Many Catholic parents will come forward to support their children. They know them and love them. They knew who they were before they came out and they know this is the same daughter. This is how even conservative Catholics make the link to acceptance of their lesbian daughter. It often takes time for the parents to get over the surprise, shock and to grieve the loss of their hopes for their daughter for a "normal" life, marriage and kids.
There are organizations out there that can help. The National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries is one. Check out their website, www.nacdlgm.org. They post talks from conference speakers.
Another good website is Fortunate Families, developed by Mary Ellen and Casey Lopata, parents of a gay son. www.fortunatefamilies.com.
If you or your partner would like to chat online about things, contact me, at
GCForum@Comcast.net
Hope this is helpful. Let me hear from you.
Sister Mary
Need a Welcoming Church for my Family
Hello,
My name is Susan. I am looking for a parish in the Traverse City, Michigan area / or Manistee, Michigan. I am a single lesbian mother of two boys - they are 7 and 9. One has had his first Holy Communion - the other is looking forward to this step of faith. I have recently moved to [a town near] Traverse.
I converted to Catholism about 2 years ago ... on Easter. I choose to do this because of their heritage (the boys) - their father's side is rich in the faith and I wanted them to have this type of richness also. I am a woman who deeply loves and knows God and I am at the point in my life to come completely out as a lesbian woman who loves God and family. I am not brash or showy but chose now to live an honest life. This has made a difference in my career.
I had worked for a Christian Social Work agency which has the right to fire me due to my sexual orientation. That is why I have moved north - to start anew. I think it important that I am able to say who I am at the place I worship. I will unfold slowly but it is a part of who I am.
The only place I have stayed in is with my place of employment ...and many people there (close friends) know. I am an on-call employee and it is downstate.... I am looking for full time upstate here
My need to find a parish that accepts and supports our family is important - so important that if it does not exist I will have to change my children's faith ...and that will sadden me and especially my oldest - he is deeply spiritual and loves the Catholic faith.
I want my children to have a church family that understands and upholds their mother's sexual orientation. As a single mother the church is part of who we are ... my children need a village to have all of their needs met ... and church is a deep need for us.
Thank you for your help ... perhaps I am misguided to ask for this help . perhaps you do not have the resources for such knowledge ... but this is a beginning to ask.
Thank-you - Susan
PS Feel free to use my e-mail address to respond to this request.
Editor’s Note: Though we were not able to refer Susan to a parish in her new home area, we were able to provide her with a contact - a Catholic lesbian and medical professional, now living in California, who was raised in the area Susan now calls home.
Disempowered and Isolated
Dear Editor,
I left the priesthood a few years ago, having struggled with loneliness and as I was coming to terms with being gay. It has taken me until very recently to name this as the reason for leaving the ministry and my religious community. I grieve the loss of both priestly ministry and community life.
I am in pain. though I have had relative success since deciding to leave the ministry in terms of getting work and building a new home, I found it difficult to partake in liturgy and in the life of the church. I have had to shelve many of the gifts God called forth in me in ministry: I now sit in church feeling disempowered and isolated. I cannot celebrate in that church the love I have found in my partner.
Sometimes I want to stand up and say to my fellow Catholics what has really happened, knowing that many of them would be only too happy to accept me (and my partner) in ministry to/with them. Sadly, however, I remain a prisoner of my own conscience: I felt it more honest to leave ministry than to live a life of duplicity (no judgement to those who manage to stay within ministry and find love) but, for me, it was not an option. Some have said I am too honest. The pain continues.
I welcome your site which gives me the chance to share - albeit anonymously - the pain and the frustration of a ministry which is, sadly, not enabled but stifled in a church which fails to tolerate, let alone accept, ME as God has made me. May we continue to find support in those who dare to stand up and share the acceptance of Christ's encounter, the embrace of the Father who rejoices in our discovery and the consolation of the Spirit when the pain seems to overwhelm us.
G, UK
Gay clergy opinions needed
Hello,
My name is Tammy Lawrence and I am working on a documentary about being gay
and religious for Paperny Films. We are a gay positive production company
based in Vancouver.
We are looking for gay clergy within the Christian church who would be
willing to discuss their experiences of being in the church and also being
gay. Our main focus is how being homosexual affects faith or vice versa -
how faith affects homosexuality. We are also interested in how the general
political climate in the US is affecting the gay Christian movement's road
to acceptance with in the church.
We would like to talk to anyone who would be willing to share their
experiences or has an expert opinion on these topics.
Please forward to anyone that might be interested.
Thanks you,
Tammy Lawrence
Research and Development
www.papernyfilms.com
tammy@papernyfilms.com
Right On, Sister Jeannine!
I never ever thought I would be ever writing a letter like this. I am NOT gay, nor is anyone in my family (at least that I know of) gay. I don't have any friends who are gay. So, why am I so upset reading about Sister Jeannine Gramick. I don't understand it myself. I am a 74 year old grandmother. I wrote a letter to the Chicago Tribune about the church's stand on gay marriage. Boy, was I taken to task by my pastor, who happens to be a good friend of mine.
I think the Catholic Church is being very unchristian in the stand on homosexuals. Why won't the church even allow them to be ministered to? Why, when all that has come out about priests molesting children, most of whom were boys, is the church still saying consenting adults are sinful if they have a sexual relationship? The Chicago Cardinal George sort of suggested that if a teen girl and a priest were involved, it wasn't so bad, it might even be the girl's fault. I was widowed in my 30's and met a widower years later and married him. He was 60 and I was 50. The church allowed us to get married even though we couldn't have children, so being unable to procreate is not a reason to disallow marriage. If the church doesn't want to sacramentalize gay marriage, I'm okay with that. I don't like it lobbying against it becoming legal. It's terrible to lobby against rights of any kind. The church condemns birth control, (another issue I have a problem with), but doesn't lobby against it. We've never before had anybody suggest a constitutional amendment to take away a right. If we're going to lobby against rights, let it be something like gun control. I am in favor of that.
If God made somebody gay, which I believe HE did, why should they be considered sinful just because they fell in love with another same-sex person. Why should that person be expected to live a life of loneliness because of his/her own makeup. I don't think Jesus thought this.
Mayor Daley of Chicago said it best when people said gay marriage destroyed the sanctity of marriage. Divorce is what destroys the sanctity of marriage, and I have several relatives, including my own daughter, who are divorced.
I guess I sound like a crank, but I am so sick of self-righteous people wanting to legislate other people's morals. When I was a young woman, I thought that when a priest or bishop said something, it was the World of God coming down to my ears through his mouth. Now I think, "Hmph, maybe"
--Unsigned
Kudos from D.C.
Hello,
I just discovered your website, and am very grateful for its quality. I'm going to do my part to get the word out on it. I'm a member and priest for Dignity/Washington.
All the best,
--Stephen McDonnell
Still Catholic?
I was reading this article and suddenly found myself asking the same question, Why did I become a Catholic? After many years of service to the church, I was asked to stop all my churchly activities by the parish priest because one of the parishioners told him I was Gay. I of course left. That day I let a mere mortal take my soul away. Sure I could have gone to another parish and stayed in the church, but I was wounded. I tried all other religions, New age, Anglican etc... After many years of absence I am slowly finding my way back to a church that deep inside I have missed like a mother misses her child... I have yet to find a parish that I am comfortable in, however I still consider myself to be Catholic. So to answer the question why am I a Catholic... It's because unlike that priest (who turned out to be a pedophile) God is Love and Mercy and waits for us to return home. He is indeed the father in the story of the prodigal son.
My question is: Can a Catholic still be a Catholic and not go to Church ?...
Thank You
Daniel
Loss
I really feel a bit duped by the Church. I was ordained eleven years ago, when I was 25. I loved my ministry but after five years knew that I had entered an unholy alliance and unconscious pact with the church. While I was ashamed and afraid of my sexuality the church provided a holding and supportive career and family. But the price was that I must not dare to explore, or reclaim my sexuality. The moment I did, the Church could not accept me. I left of my own accord and am glad I did. I am now a teacher and a therapist, but miss the ministry and access to people's journey that priesthood afforded me. I would love to have found a brave bishop to take the truth of who I am. Perhaps I would not have left. I'd love to say, 'their loss' and it is ,but I can't help feeling it’s my loss too.
--Anthony
Where are the Women Theologians?
Hi!
Thank you for your website. Most of the lead articles are by gay men. Who are the lesbian Catholic theologians, religious or lay writing for lesbian and gay Catholics? Can you tell me names and books or articles? Are there any on your website?
Thanks.
-- Jackie
Editor’s Note: Your question is a good one, Jackie. For a list of members of the Catholic Theological Society of America, go to http://www.jcu.edu/ctsa/ Click on “Search Members.” Then go to the "Gender" box and click on "female." You will discover hundreds of women theologians! Which of those are lesbians I do not know. If you want to ask them -- go ahead, but I'm not going there!
You will find articles here by Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister. In our Bookshelf section you will find books by several other women theologians. We recommend Elizabeth A. Johnson’s The Church Women Want as a starter on feminist theology. It includes articles by such theologians as Diana Hayes and others. The footnote references and recommended reading in this small volume will keep you busy and enthralled for a long time.
Reconciling Catholicism and Sexuality
Friends,
I've been doing some searching on Catholicism and sexuality, for personal reasons, and I've come across both your website, and a website called oncecatholic.org (among many others, of course).
At first, I thought this latter site was a unique place where a former catholic like myself would find open minds and open arms who could offer ideas on reconciling Catholicism and sexuality. While the posts I've read have some worthwhile advice, there's also a lot of simply defending traditional Catholic teaching, which only further alienates some people, in my opinion. I've especially noticed that on questions of homosexuality, many replies, including from the moderators (called "companions") who seem to be rather conservative, advise questioners that they must live celibate lives if they are homosexual, that homosexual activity is always a sin, etc, etc. This can't be a good way to get people to return to the Catholic Church, and it certainly didn't work with me.
Perhaps you're already aware of this site, but in case you're not, I thought you might like to know, since your organizations seem to be dedicated, in part, to reconciling Catholicism and sexuality. Perhaps you would be willing to keep an eye on it, and to offer better advice and reasoned arguments.
I hope this is useful to you.
Regards,
J Welle
(Click Here for Editor’s Response)
Getting Over Demons
I have really enjoyed your website, especially the articles by James Alison. He seems to be able to avoid getting bogged down by apparent incendiary bull, and instead goes directly to the heart of his topics in a much more sensitive and Christian way, that is loving and without rancor. He helps me to get over some of my inner demons. I am truly impressed, and I appreciate your sharing them very much.
I hope that your site will be very successful, and that you will continue it for a long time.
Be well,
Frank M.
Eastern Rite Catholic
I just found your site. I am a Byzantine Catholic, exiled from Home by my life choice to live with my lover, a woman. I have not participated in the Mysteries for 5 years, nor have I had the company of believing people. The finding of this site is the first spark of hope I have had of ever knowing the comforts of Mystery this side of the curtain. Now what?
-- Johanna
Helpful
I've just seen your site -- obviously thoughtfully done and clearly intending to be a service to gay and lesbian Catholics.
But -- for what it's worth:
In your section on "About Us" -- you don't really say who you are, but rather what you believe. (How Catholic!) I notice that in a later paragraph you say "We believe that the Holy Spirit will guide us in living our vocation." Which vocation? The emphasis in all of your site seems to be on clerical vocation and leads me to believe it is a clerical site, i.e., started by and somewhat or unconsciously but intended for gay priests. And -- if you're not talking about/with gay Catholic priests, you/re "teaching." Kind of a knee-jerk second order of business.
Nothing wrong with that, but you should be clear to yourselves who your audience is and who you want it to be. I feel like I'm in a gay Catholic parish, i.e., hierarchical and operating in a clerical/lay mode. In addition, your site feels like it is written in gothic -- meaning feels "official" versus feeling communal. Finally, there seems to be a complete absence of women, women's (gay nuns?) lives and concerns.
If you want a meeting place where a 1) Catholic gay community can be formed (and where you can continue all of your topic sites -- perhaps without quite the rigidity that, in my opinion, seems to permeate), then I would start the "About Us" section with, "We are Catholic gay, lesbian, and transgender (Want to include transgender?) people, clerical and lay, who want to be in community with our Church and with each other, offering encouragement, support, and information to each other and all who would like to be in community with us. We (without names if more comfortable) started this site because.... Or whatever your purpose is, and how it got started. 2) Provide A Forum (listserv) so people can talk to each other in safety. (You say you are a forum, but there really isn't one. (As I think about it, you reflect in a lot of ways the institutional Church -- sorry about that.)
None of this is to imply that you would be encouraging people to abandon their parishes for this site. But it is such a service to offer a warm, intelligent meeting place where like-minded and like-being people can take a breath and be among their own, enjoying all the benefits that encourage personal growth from being in any good community.
That's my two-cents. I mean to be helpful.
Ann
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