Catholic teaching supports nondiscrimination against LGBTQ community, statement says
Catholic social teaching provides "a clear basis" for church leaders to support nondiscrimination protections for the LGBTQ community, according to a statement from an LBGTQ advocacy group signed by more 250 of the nation's leading Catholic theologians, church leaders, scholars and writers.
"A Home for All: A Catholic Call for LGBTQ Non-Discrimination," released Aug. 9 by New Ways Ministry makes the case that Catholic doctrine "presents a positive case for ending discrimination against LGBTQ people," despite strong opposition voiced by some outspoken conservative high-ranking church leaders.
"We affirm that Catholic teaching should not be used to further oppress LGBTQ people by denying rights rooted in their inherent human dignity and in the church's call for social equality," the 2,285-word document reads in part.
Among the notable signatories are Sr. Helen Prejean, a Sister of St. Joseph of Medaille, longtime death penalty opponent; Fr. Bryan Massingale of Fordham University; M. Shawn Copeland, professor emerita of systematic theology at Boston College; Sr. Elizabeth Johnson, professor emerita of theology at Fordham University; Mary McAleese, former president of Ireland; Miguel Diaz, former U.S. ambassador to the Holy See; Mary Novak, executive director of Network Catholic Social Justice Lobby; and Sr. Simone Campbell, former executive director of Network.
Find out who else signed (including one bishop) and read the full article here.
More background:
- When the U.S. Congress passed the National Suicide Hotline
Designation Act last fall to establish a toll-free number with
assistance for those with mental health crises, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops quietly lobbied behind the scenes against the legislation.
- Stop judging, and welcome LGBT Catholics 'in good faith,' NCR said in an editorial last year.
Pastoral musicians share stories of resilience, ingenuity amid pandemic
As people deprived of personal contact with the Eucharist began returning to Mass following the near total shutdown of public Masses during the pandemic of 2020, some congregations have started applauding at the conclusion of the liturgy in gratitude for the pastoral musicians, according to Jennifer Kluge, executive director of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
"When an ensemble or a choir does a concert, you'd expect that, but when they are literally applauding your contribution to the liturgy, that comes as a surprise," Kluge said during the organization's annual conference in New Orleans July 27-30.
"I've heard people tell me after Mass, 'Thank you so much for being here. You've made the liturgy so much richer.' So there is absolutely an appreciation for us,” she said.
Kluge said while 2020 was filled with challenges for choirs — some were shut down for fear of spreading the coronavirus through close contact with each other — she was amazed by stories of resilience and ingenuity.
Read more about the convention here.
More background:
More headlines
- In his column,
Fr. Tom Reese wishes the pope could declare vaccine skeptics and
climate-change deniers heretics and put their books, articles, Facebook
pages and tweets on the Index of Forbidden Books.
- ICYMI: Fr. Bryan Massingale, accepting the “Teacher of Peace” award from Pax Christi USA, said white nationalism is the greatest threat to peace today.
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