Rainbow Sash Movement
Building Bridges over the Rainbow
Dear Charles O'Neill,
The intention of this open letter is to engage you and members of the National
AGLO Board of Directors in a public dialogue about Ministry to the GLBT
community with members of the Board of Directors of Rainbow Sash Movement.
Both are national GLBT Catholic Organizations with different approaches to
ministry.
As we approach the season of Lent, in my opinion, all Roman Catholics should take
this opportunity to reflect on our life journey, and how we have fallen short not only
individually, but also as a Church. Lent continues to be a journey from life to death,
and back to life. It is in that spirit I would like to ask the following questions of you.
Should ministry to GLBT Community be more concerned with teaching and
imposing orthodoxy than being involved in Social Justice Issues of the community?
Is it the place of ministry to challenge the patterns of homophobia in Arch/dioceses
around the nation? Do you view this form activism as political, or do you think that
Social Justice Concerns of the GLBT community should be publicly supported by
your ministry? Is silence in the face of injustice sound pastoral practice? Is it wise to
compartmentalize our beliefs?
The Arch/diocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach (AGLO) was set up some years ago to
minister to homosexual Catholics who want to identify with the gay community but
still live chastely according to the moral teaching of the Church. At least this is what
Cardinal Francis George of Chicago would have you believe. Integrity of thought is
just as important of integrity of action.
The Catholic Hierarchy has actively worked against legislation that would prohibit
job discrimination, and housing for same sex people in various jurisdictions around
the nation. On the surface it would appear you hold your position as a National
Catholic Organization, with the permission of the National Council of Catholic
Bishops, over the Social Justice needs of the GLBT Community. Is my
interpretation correct, or am I in error?
Their aggressive stand against Gay Marriage especially in Massachusetts witnesses
to fact that they are more concerned with privilege than life affirming relationships.
Do GLBT couples hold a lesser place in God's creation as the Bishops promote and
your ministry seems to imply? In my opinion, any ministry that excludes GLBT
couples calls into question the integrity of such a Ministry. Do you believe it is the
place of ministry to include the promotion of Social Justice through self
identification and education? Or is it your position that the Social Justice Teaching
of the Catholic Church does not apply to the Gay Rights Movement.
Dialogue requires that we engage in a truly honest inquiry into the painful
relationship of the GLBT community with the Roman Catholic Church. Certainly
this type of discussion would call us to unlearn in order to learn; brace for some
levels of pain; seek first to understand; recognize the sanctity and power of
language; and focus on the reality of the present situation
Integrity and maturity, I believe calls us to this type of honesty, and respectful
dialog. Given the deep fissures in the relationships between the GLBT Community
and the Catholic Bishops of the United States what is called for is honesty and
courage. We are sisters and brothers in Christ; we really need to respect that
relationship, and show it by communicating with each other and our community in a
transparent manner, with love in our hearts.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Joe Murray
US Convener
Rainbow Sash Movement
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Open Letter to the National Leadership of AGLO |