queeringthechurch

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German bishops commit to 'newly assessing' Catholic doctrine on homosexuality and sexual morality

German bishops commit to ‘newly assessing’ Catholic doctrine on homosexuality and sexual morality

Pope Francis meets with German bishops during their ad limina visit Nov. 20, 2015. Credit: Vatican Media.

Munich, Germany, Dec 12, 2019 / 02:10 pm (CNA).- The German bishops’ conference has committed to “newly assessing” the universal Church’s teaching on homosexuality, sexual morality in general, as well as the sacraments of ordination and marriage. The commitment comes at the beginning…

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"Mail AND Female He Created Them" (not "OR")

“Mail AND Female He Created Them” (not “OR”)

For a whole host of reasons, I’ve been inactive on this site for some considerable time. However, the latest Vatican document on gender, must have a response.  I am grateful to Fr James Martin SJ, for pointing out that there are some helpful points in the document: it is explicitly an invitation to dialogue, and recognises the importance of treating all people with respect, acknowledges the…

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Busting Open the Vatican Closet

Busting Open the Vatican Closet

I’m currently reading Martel’s “In the Closet of the Vatican”. I was initially wary, suspicious that it could simply fuel a backlash from the orthotoxic Catholics, and would be too much mere sensationalism. I was wrong. This is much, much more than a mere exposé of Vatican gay clergy. It is absolutely riveting, deserving a careful read by all concerned about the Catholic Church.

I was first…

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I have now  attended seven consecutive Quest conferences, sometimes as a speaker or workshop facilitator, and except for the first time, always as a committee member. This year, after a lengthy period of reflection and introspection, I have not made myself available for re-election. At my personal blog, Queering the Church, I have been preparing a lengthy post on the reasons for this, which…

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From 1968, America’s editors on ‘Humanae Vitae’ | America Magazine This editorial originally appeared in the issue of Aug. 17, 1968 under the title “An Editorial Statement on ‘Human Life.’”

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Finding wholeness: "The-Lord-our-integrity". (16th of OT, year B)

Finding wholeness: “The-Lord-our-integrity”. (16th of OT, year B)

When questioned how I reconcile my Catholic faith with being openly gay and partnered, part of my response is that it is all about integrity, being true to one’s own fundamental self. It is therefore helpful to me to see in today’s Mass readings, a message of integrity and wholeness.

In today’s first reading, (Jeremiah 23:1-6), he blasts  those who have  caused division among the Lord’s flock,…

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“Campaigning”: That Word, Again.

“Campaigning”: That Word, Again.

When representatives of the then Soho Masses Pastoral Council met with their counterparts representing the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster to negotiate the move of the Soho Masses from the Anglican parish of St Anne’s to the Catholic parish in Warwick Street, one of the expectations put to us, was that the Masses should be purely “pastoral”, and not “campaigning”. We had no real difficulty…

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“Phall if you but will, rise you must”

“Phall if you but will, rise you must”

In this Easter season especially, we need to recall constantly the words of Pope Saint John Paul II, “We are the Easter people”.

This is particularly important for me personally this year, after the disappointment I wrote about yesterday (“Despised, Rejected”). That post told only part of the story: the rest was hinted at early, when I balanced the despondent phrase from Isaiah with the…

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“Despised and Rejected”: A Personal Anecdote

“Despised and Rejected”: A Personal Anecdote

Holy Week has come and gone, and for many will by now be almost forgotten. But we remain in the liturgical season of Easter, and so it remains appropriate to reflect further on this great feast.

  The Easter Triduum in particular can be an emotional and spiritual roller – coaster, plunging the depths on Good Friday, quickly followed by the exultation of the resurrection on Easter Sunday. This…

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European Forum - LGBT Youth Conference

European Forum – LGBT Youth Conference

The annual conference of the European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups, held last week outside Rome, featured a strong presence by LGBT youth, in preparation for the Catholic Bishops’ Synod Assembly to be held in Rome later this year. Here follows a press release from the Forum:

“Hopes and expectations of young LGBT people towards the Youth Synod”

The 37th Annual Conference of the European Forum of…

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“Towards Welcoming and Affirming Christian Communities” European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups: Conference 2019 Last week I spent a few days in the Albano hills outside Rome, at the 2018 annual conference of the European Forum of LGBT Christian groups.

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Belgian Cardinal: "Respect gay/lesbian sexual expression".

Belgian Cardinal: “Respect gay/lesbian sexual expression”.

Josef De Kesel, cardinal archbishop of Brussels, is reported to have told local LGBT Catholics that the church should respect gay and lesbian sexual expression.

“Respect” for gay and lesbian people is an established part of Catholic teaching (along with “sensitivity and compassion”). Sadly, this element of teaching has too frequently been neglected, and sits alongside the more widely known…

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Synod of Bishop 2018 | Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation The path leading up to the Synod of Bishops is a long journey. The synodal process doesn’t simply begin when the Synod begins.

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UK government claims ban on gay cure therapy could have ‘unintended consequences’ · PinkNews

UK government claims ban on gay cure therapy could have ‘unintended consequences’ · PinkNews

It is disappointing that after earlier statements that they were preparing to ban so-called gay “conversion therapy”, the government has now backed off.

Ms Doyle-Price ruled out legislation, saying: “We remain of the view that a blunt legislative tool is not the right vehicle for achieving this goal.

Health Minister Jackie Doyle-Price has now stated:

“Conversion therapy is a broad term for a…

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Cardinal's Lack of Clarity Raises Questions About Gender Identity in Catholic Education - New Ways Ministry

Cardinal’s Lack of Clarity Raises Questions About Gender Identity in Catholic Education – New Ways Ministry

Unclear comments by the United Kingdom’s leading Catholic prelate have raised questions about just what he meant to say on the topic of gender identity in Catholic education.

At a conference for educators in the archdiocese, Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster (London) gave an address in which he reiterated the importance of teaching children they are part of a common humanity while rejecting…

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The Scandal of Firing LGBT Catholics | Commonweal Magazine

The Scandal of Firing LGBT Catholics | Commonweal Magazine

Last week’s firing of a first-grade Catholic school teacher who married her same-sex partner again raises the question of whether Catholic institutions are selectively enforcing the church’s sexual ethics in ways that unfairly target gays and lesbians. As these firings become increasingly common, Catholic leaders must acknowledge the deep wounds they are causing to people who love and serve the…

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World Meeting of Families Video Includes Voices of Lesbian Catholic, Catholic Mother of Gay Child - New Ways Ministry

World Meeting of Families Video Includes Voices of Lesbian Catholic, Catholic Mother of Gay Child – New Ways Ministry

Lesbian/gay stories were included in preparatory materials for the 2018 World Meeting of Families (WMF), a potential sign that this year’s gathering in Dublin may be more inclusive than past events, despite a previous story about deleting lesbian/gay references to printed preparatory material.

A video included as part of the “Amoris: Let’s Talk Family, Let’s Be Family – The Joy of Love…