| When are Parishes ready for Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Ministry???? |
Rainbow Sash Movement
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Can there be a Ministry to Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgendered Catholics?
What would be the first step of such a ministry? The Church and its representatives
must stop demonizing the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender (LGBT) Community to
move itself beyond an attitude of judgmentalism which permeates many levels within
the Church.
At the Second Vatican Council, Church leaders called Catholics to open up to the
reality of the world, to respond readily to those who are oppressed and marginalized,
and to speak the Gospel boldly to a world that aches for a hopeful message. This
ministry must affirm the worth of LGBT people.
In order for this to happen the US Council of Catholic Bishops must initiate serious
national dialogue with Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender people. The Bishops need
to be open to all voices in order to discern the call of the Spirit for Ministry to LGBT
Community. Such a dialogue needs also to take place at local diocesan levels.
A serious attempt must be made to objectively understand the negative impact the
Church’s Teaching has on the daily lives LGBT people and their relationships. There
must be a willingness on the part of the Bishops to be open to understanding the
scholastic responses to the lived experiences of LGBT people are no longer acceptable
in a 21st century Church. They must be open to listening to people of faith who are
LGBT, academic disciplines and culture.
Our religious educators, school teachers, principles, and textbook publishers must be
encouraged to devote some time to getting to know same sex students, and
understanding their needs. This must be a important component of a ministry to the
LGBT community. They must move beyond the stereotypical barriers and lies that
have been used to promote religious homophobia.
Inclusive in ministry to LGBT people will be Catholic higher education. We also call
on our Catholic Universities to put in place educational tools that dispels the fear and
hate of same sex people under the mantle of religion. There must be an atmosphere
of dialogue on the matter of sexuality and the part it plays in all our lives.
A ministry to LGBT people that excludes the social justice struggle of LGBT people
will be a hollow ministry. Pastors must be attentive to these needs, and provide
training for both clergy, religious and lay leaders in both the Dioceses and parishes.
Social justice, then, mostly broadly has to do with a view of God, of the Christian
people and indeed of all humanity, and of the world. More specifically, today we focus
not only on ourselves as individuals, but also ourselves as social beings in our
contemporary “global village.”
Social justice issues usually are difficult and painful to encounter. They concern
matters about which some people would just as soon not think, into which they would
rather not put their energy, especially in the area of gay rights.
We believe only when Catholics begin to understand the history of homophobia in
the Church and the effects it has had on many lives will we be able to move toward a
Church without homophobia which truly welcomes LGBT people. Only when our
Church leaders are trained in recognizing homophobia will the Church be free of this
grave sin.
Ministry to LGBT People is not a feel good effort. Simply having a meeting is not
enough, more is required. Not to understand this tells us your parish is not ready to
seriously work in this area of compassion and understanding.
Yes there can be a ministry to LGBT Catholics, but only if you completely
understand the pitfalls. However, such pitfalls should not hold a parish based
ministry from becoming a reality. Only by striving for justice and peace among all
people, respect the dignity of every human being will such a ministry be Gospel
based?
If your parish, diocese, or social justice committees are interested helping us begin
the work of a comprehensive LGBT ministry and wants to join the proclamation of
the Gospels working against homophobia in the Church The Rainbow Sash
Movement will work with you by facilitating training events. Will you persevere in
this Gospel journey. If you are ready to begin such a journey please contact us at
sashmovement@aol.com
LGBT Ministry Training Team
Rainbow Sash Movement
