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RETURN TO > 1997 > DATELINE
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DignityUSA DATELINE
November 1997
Dignity Responds to U.S. Bishops' Pastoral Letter: "Always Our Children"
DignityUSA welcomed the October 1 release of the pastoral letter, Always Our Children: A Pastoral Message to the Parents of Homosexual Children and Suggestions for Pastoral Ministries. The letter is a positive step forward and the bishops are to be commended for their improved sensitivity to the issues which confront parents and their lesbian and gay children, but it is not perfect.
The letter, which has been in development for five years, does not break any new ground theologically nor does it demonstrate greater pastoral sensitivity. On a positive note, however, the document points out the real dangers that confront gay and lesbian youth. It also offers some very practical advice to both parents and pastors. Dignity hopes that all bishops, pastors and parents take it to heart and that as a result of the letter’s release, we will see improved ministry to our community. It is important to note that since our founding in 1969, we have been working for improved pastoral attention to the real lives of gay men and lesbians. The letter is a first step in recognizing some of these needs and our task will be to hold them to their words.
Although the letter offers practical advice on very pastoral level, Dignity is, as in the past, very disturbed by the bishop's continued distinction between orientation and activity. This distinction makes little sense and will be a stumbling block in the way of any effective pastoral program seeking to encompass the letter’s recommendations. Further, the letter still leaves parents without any guidance on how to respond to their children’s same-sex relationships. The most serious fault with the letter is the incomplete explanation and view it gives regarding chastity. Dignity believes that expressions of love, including sexual intimacy between two individuals of the same sex, can be morally acceptable.
In spite of its weaknesses, however, DignityUSA is pleased with the tone and content of Always Our Children. It is our hope that this letter is the beginning of a more open and fruitful dialogue between lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered persons and the Catholic Church. In closing, Dignity looks forward to meeting the ‘outstretched hand’ of invitation offered by the bishops.
— Charles Cox
Responding to Promise Keepers
DignityUSA joined with other groups as a member of Equal Partners in Faith, a faith-based response to the huge Promise Keepers gathering in Washington, DC. On Friday, October 3, Executive Director Charles Cox read the Solidarity Sunday prayer and met with press as part of an prayer vigil outside the US Capitol Building. On Saturday, October 4, Cox and DignityUSA president Bob Miailovich represented Dignity at an interfaith worship service which called for unity and equality. In addition, Dignity issued a press release denouncing the demonization of g/l/b/t persons promoted by the Promise Keepers, comparing the group’s position with the acceptance and love urged by the just issued Catholic bishops' pastoral letter to parents.
-- Charles Cox
Solidarity Sunday 1997
Early results compiled by Bruce Jarfster, National Coordinator of the annual Solidarity Sunday effort, indicate that 1997’s efforts surpassed last year’s. From San Antonio, Bruce reports that 24,000 cards were produced by national coordinator, 9.000 more than last year. The charges for cards sold amount to $2500, but only $1733 of that total has been collected to date. These figures do not, however, reflect efforts by individual chapters, where thousands more cards were made and distributed.
Bruce says he expects to recover most of the nearly $800 difference from chapters and other groups who have not yet submitted payment. Therefore, from the $1500 start-up grant, Solidarity Sunday efforts will have added approximately $1,200 to Dignity’s coffers.
During the first week of October, the White House sent Bruce a letter from President Clinton with a strong and warm endorsement of Solidarity Sunday. The letter included a statement that the letter could not be reproduced without White House permission, which had not been obtained by press time.
-- Bruce Jarfster
Progressive Leaders Meet In Rome
DignityUSA president Bob Miailovich joined other Church reform movement leaders in Rome from October 11-12 for the Incontro Internationale del Popolo di Deo. The pilgrimage's goals were to deliver a common church reform message to the Vatican, celebrate solidarity in a Vatican II vision of Church, share Eucharist, and hold an assembly marking the 35th anniversary of the opening of Vatican II.
The weekend opened with a pilgrimage to the Vatican along the Via della Conciliazione and a handing over to the Vatican of the message of the We Are Church referenda. During the second day, an international assembly of delegates from the various reform movements discussed developments as well as the possibilities of future common action.
In Rome, Dignity joined representative from Catholics Speak Out, Women’s Ordination Conference, CORPUS, Catholics for a Free Choice, Call to Action and other Americans in meeting with delegates from Canada, several European countries and other parts of the world.
— Bob Miailovich
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