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DignityUSA DATELINE

Volume 11, No. 4
April 2002

Sex, Lies & the Catholic Church

By now you have probably seen, heard, or read the recent breaking news of sexual abuse committed among the ranks of the Roman Catholic clergy.

The following is Dignity’s response to the Vatican on the recent events concerning sexual abuse in the church:

Vatican Remarks on Gay Priests, Sexual Abuse Condemned

Leaders of DignityUSA today condemned statements by Vatican spokesman Dr. Joaquin Navarro-Valls in which he blamed clergy sexual abuse on gay priests. Navarro-Valls was quoted in the March 3, 2002 The New York Times as saying that "People with these inclinations just cannot be ordained," and likening their ordination to a marriage that could be annulled.

"This is nothing more than a vicious and transparent attempt to shift the blame, in an effort to deny institutional culpability" in light of recent clergy sexual abuse scandals, said Mary Louise Cervone, DignityUSA President. "This is about violence against children and abuse of power. It has nothing to do with sexual orientation," she declared.

"Church leaders should be out among the victims of sexual abuse, listening to what happened and how it impacted their lives," said Cervone. "The Christian response would be to make meaningful restitution to the victims, cooperate with law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice, and to learn how to prevent future abuse. Instead, they are trying to make gay priests the scapegoats for decades of criminal abuse. It's appalling."   

Cervone predicted that Navarro-Valls' blaming of gay priests for sexual abuse would persuade few Catholics. "Members of the Church know the difference between abuse of children and a healthy, mature sexuality. They see the sex abuse issue for what it is-a symptom of a repressive, arrogant system that sees self-preservation as more important than caring for individuals."

Cervone concluded by expressing sympathy for all victims of clergy sexual abuse, both male and female. "To be abused by someone who also serves as a representative of the Church, and, indeed, as a representative of Christ, is a truly wrenching betrayal of all that is sacred. We in DignityUSA pray that all such victims get appropriate treatment and care, and find some way to be at peace."

DignityUSA is the nation's oldest and foremost organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Catholics, their families, friends and supporters. Founded in 1969, it is an independent nonprofit, with members and Chapters throughout the US.

Sign up now for a DignityUSA Regional Conference

"We Shall Not Be Silent"

Conferences for GLBT Catholics, our Families, Friends and Supporters sponsored by DignityUSA

April 12-14, Crockett Hotel, San Antonio, TX
Keynote Speaker: Sister Jeannine Gramick, SL

May 24-26, Hyatt Hotel, Buffalo, NY
Keynote Speaker: Edwina Gately

Special Multimedia Presentation
Speaking our Truth: The History of DignityUSA at both conferences

Each conference will offer opportunities for prayer, education, networking, as well as the chance to dialogue with leaders of DignityUSA. For detailed information, visit our website at www.dignityusa.org/regional2002.html.

Stewardship

By Sam Sinnett

Remember the story of the Widow’s Mite?

As our re-imagined DignityUSA moves to empower our individual members, all members are called to move to ownership and stewardship of DignityUSA.

Consider the following words from Mike Hogan’s Homily at Dignity / Chicago for the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, January 13, 2002:

"Internally, I have seen Dignity [as Isaiah’s Suffering Servant] … bring prisoners out from the darkness and dungeons of feeling unloved and rejected by God… Dignity has been a source of healing for so many hurting people. It has been and continues to be a place of welcome and support. Whatever the situation, it is crucial that Dignity remain the beacon of hope. Dignity will only be viable if each one of us individually accepts the responsibility of making it so. This is part of the challenge given to us at baptism. It doesn’t just happen. We need to be consciously involved in the process. For some of us it will be marching and shouting and knocking on the Church’s door and openly challenging them. For others it will be more low key, but equally important. It might be helping to welcome new people as they come on Sunday, serving on a committee or on the board, singing in the choir, being a reader, etc. Whatever our gifts are we must use them for the building up of the community of faith known as Dignity…"

Resounding words and thoughts — "Whatever our gifts…" "…if each one of us individually accepts the responsibility…" "…consciously involved…" The Widow’s Mite… Please move from Membership in DignityUSA to active Stewardship. Contribute what you can; all are welcome at our table.

As Mike’s homily concludes,

"Let us accept the baptismal challenge which is to enlighten nations, to open blind eyes by publicly proclaiming our faith, to free others from the prisons of their fear and doubt by taking the responsibility of fostering God’s justice and peace in the world. Let us live our baptismal commitment as the transforming experience it was meant to be."

Let us answer the call to stewardship in DignityUSA. Please contact the national office or call 1-800-877-8797 for details on how to give monthly to the work of DignityUSA.

Happy Anniversary to:

Fort Lauderdale 16

Hartford 27

DignityUSA Has Strong Presence at New Ways Symposium

Approximately 65 members of DignityUSA were among the 500 who gathered in Louisville, KY March 8-10, 2002 for New Ways Ministry's Fifth National Symposium on Gay and Lesbian Issues in the Church. Entitled "Out of Silence God Has Called Us: Lesbian/Gay Issues in the Vatican II Church," the Symposium commemorated the 25th anniversary of New Ways Ministry's founding in 1977.

A pre-conference retreat for parents and pastoral ministers offered the opportunity for these groups to reflect on the current state of ministry within the Church to gay and lesbian people and our families. The conference itself included keynote addresses by Eugene Kennedy, Rosemary Haughton, Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, Bishop Leroy Matthieson, Gregory Baum and Edwina Gately. Bishop Matthieson also presided at the liturgy, which the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith tried to forbid. Workshops covered a wide range of topics including creating safety in Catholic schools for gay and lesbian students, the Vatican and homosexuality, the current and historical oppression of lesbians, issues faced by gay priests and lesbian nuns, and the sacramentality of same-sex relationships.

DignityUSA volunteers staffed an information table, and made resources available to over 200 visitors during the weekend. Dignity/Dayton and Dignity/Greater Columbus co-sponsored a reception on Saturday night that enabled members and friends to gather and hear about recent and upcoming Dignity activities.

At the conclusion of the conference, a 12-point Vision for the Future of Gay/Lesbian ministry in the Catholic Church was issued. New Ways Ministry is seeking endorsements from as many individuals and organizations as possible by October 31, 2002. The Vision and endorsing signatures will be presented to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops at their November meeting. To read and sign on to this Vision, visit the New Ways Ministry website.

Solidarity Sunday Action Committee

Now forming! Join a new "Solidarity Sunday Action Committee" This would be a group of members interested in fostering the growth of Solidarity Sunday both inside and outside of Dignity and as resources to get our anti-violence message out whether as a positive voice in anti-GLBT ballot initiatives or otherwise as this Board Committee needs. New email address: solidaritysunday@dignityusa.org

And the nominees are…

The DignityUSA Nominating Committee is proud to announce the opening of our nominations for Board of Director positions for DignityUSA. (Details…)

Positions Open

Four Director-At-Large positions will be filled by election in 2002. Elected members will serve a two-year term beginning October 1, 2002.

Nominations

Any regular member of DignityUSA is eligible to serve on the DignityUSA Board of Directors. You may be nominated by yourself or by others. All members are ensured the opportunity to be placed in nomination.

Visit our website to view a copy of the Board of Director Job Description and download a Nomination Form. These documents can also be obtained by calling the national office.

To place a name in nomination, complete the Nomination Form and send to:

DignityUSA Nominating Committee
1500 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 11
Washington, DC 20005-1894
or by Fax at 202-429-9808

Nominations must be submitted no later than April 15, 2002.

Elections

All current DignityUSA members as of March 31, 2002 will be eligible to vote in this upcoming election. (If your membership has lapsed, this would be a good time to renew!) Each chapter will also receive two votes. Chapters will determine how they will exercise their voting rights.

Candidates’ Statements and Ballots will be mailed on or around May 1, 2002. Voting will be by mail or fax, and will remain open until July 1, 2002. We look forward to great participation in this important selection of new leadership for DignityUSA.

Questions, comments or concerns can be addressed to Tom Streeper, National Director/Nominating Committee Chair at tomstr67@comcast.net

In Dignity,

Nominating Committee 2002

Dignity Vision Statement

DignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality and, as beloved persons of God, participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society.

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Dignity Joins Gay Days at Disney!

Join your Dignity Family and Friends for Gay Days at Disney May 28th - June 2nd in Orlando Florida. For all of the details visit our website at www.dignityusa.org

Direct any questions or comments to: info@dignityusa.org

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I give, you give…

Are you an on-line shopper? Now, your on-line purchases at many of the most-frequently shopped sites can benefit DignityUSA! Simply start your shopping at www.iGive.com, and indicate that you want DignityUSA to be the beneficiary. You can shop at places like Barnes & Noble, Lands End, Eddie Bauer, Stonewall Kitchen and dozens more, and a portion of your purchase will be donated to DignityUSA. There's no fee to enroll. Please check out www.iGive.com!

Calendar for April:

Wishing you a Blessed Easter Season

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