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DignityUSA DATELINE

Volume 11, No. 7
July 2002

Gay Catholics Respond to Draft of Bishops’ Policy on Sexual Abuse

Applaud De-Linking Homosexuality and Abuse

Washington, DC, June 4 - DignityUSA, the nation’s foremost organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Catholics, reacted with cautious optimism to today’s release of the US Catholic Bishops Conference draft policy on sexual abuse of minors. The document contained no mention of sexual orientation as a factor in leading to the abuse, contrary to earlier statements from the Conference President Bishop Wilton Gregory, and Cardinals Bevilacqua, George and Gregory, among other Church leaders.

"We are very pleased that in this document, the US bishops are finally agreeing with what experts have been saying all along–that there is absolutely no link between the sexual abuse of children and homosexuality," said Mary Louise Cervone, DignityUSA’s President.

"The draft issued today represents some steps in the right direction," Cervone continued. "The Church and the victims of sexual abuse have been waiting for the bishops to acknowledge their own fault in perpetuating a system of abuse and cover up. They finally seem to be admitting that they were a big part of the problem."

"Instead of owning up to their guilt earlier, too many of the bishops tried to deflect the blame onto the gay community, and gay priests in particular. This ploy was met with outrage from the people of the Church. We are proud of our fellow Catholics for standing for justice and letting the bishops know that this was an entirely unacceptable response to the problem," said Marianne Duddy, Executive Director of DignityUSA.

DignityUSA acknowledged that the exclusion of blame on gays in the draft released today is not a final resolution to the conflict begun by the Vatican spokesman Dr. Novarro-Valls in March of this year.

"Repeated, unsubstantiated slurs against gay priests, and by extension, the entire gay community, have persisted for months, and have come from some of the most powerful men in our Church," said Duddy. "These irresponsible comments have done untold harm to thousands of people, creating a new class of victims in this horrible scandal. We continue to demand a full retraction of all statements linking homosexuality and child abuse. The bishops should also demonstrate their commitment to the truth with an apology for the earlier statements."

Mary Louise Cervone also said, "We understand that there will be a great deal of commentary on the draft policy being released today. The bishops also have time for discussion among themselves once they get to Dallas. We will be watching carefully to ensure that the current position on homosexuality does not change before the final document is released.

"DignityUSA also wants to be certain that there will be no other action taken by the US bishops or by the Vatican that indicates a continued link between child abuse and homosexuality. For instance, the bishops must make it clear that they will not undertake or support any effort to oust gay men currently serving as priests from their ministry, simply because of their sexual orientation. In addition, the purpose of apostolic visits to seminaries must be made clear. If the purpose of these visits is to discourage gay men from entering Catholic seminaries, they should be cancelled," said Cervone.

In responding to the draft policy as a whole, DignityUSA noted a positive tone in the approach. "True concern for the people of the Church seems to be a central priority in this document," said Duddy. "It talks about the need to eliminate secrecy and restore accountability. Those are important priorities in creating an abuse-free Church for the future. We are also glad to see a recommitment to ongoing support for victims of abuse, whose concerns and needs deserve to remain at the heart of all current and future practices."

Dignity's Voice Comes Through Loud and Clear

From the very beginning of the clergy sex abuse scandal in the church, when gay priests were targeted and blamed by church officials, DignityUSA spoke out — in dozens and dozens of media interviews and in press releases — refuting inaccurate and bigoted statements, and letting church leaders know that scapegoating wouldn't be tolerated.

Recent examples of Dignity's message getting across include:

• DignityUSA and Dignity/New York signed on to a full-page New York Times ad that read: "Catholic Church Hierarchy: Don't Blame Gay People." In addition to reaching the 1.7 million+ NYT readers across the country and around the world, the ad was also referenced by Ted Koppel in his opening remarks for a special edition of ABC's Nightline program on gay and lesbian life.
• D/USA President Mary Louise Cervone and Executive Director Marianne Duddy have been busy doing numerous background interviews for media preparing for the Dallas bishop's conference and appearing on radio and TV talk shows in major cities.
• D/USA's presence at Gay Days at Disney World in Orlando FL received significant attention from the press including coverage in the Orlando Sentinel, the local gay press and the local ABC TV affiliate filmed a portion of the D/USA liturgy. Gay Days organizers highlighted the involvement of Dignity in the event and the liturgy drew a sizeable crowd.

Keep watching the local and national news for Dignity leaders speaking out.

Dignity AIDS Ministry Coordinator Receives Prestigious Award

For his project "Worlds of Faith and the HIV/AIDS Pandemic", Fr. Tom has received the 2002 Bibliography Grant by the Publications Committee of the American Theological Library Association

"There were several excellent proposals submitted this year, but the members of the committee voted to support your project, said Andrew Keck, Chair of ATLA Publications Committee. "We certainly wish you success with your project and trust that you will keep us informed as your work progresses."

Congratulations Fr. Tom, from all of the members of DignityUSA!

Shuffle off to Buffalo

Another successful conference

Over 60 Dignity members from across the Northeast and the country gathered at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Buffalo over the Memorial Day weekend for workshops, liturgy, networking and a second D/USA membership meeting.

The conference titled "We Shall Not Be Silent" was the second in a series held across the country to provide Dignity members opportunity for education, liturgy, and fellowship and to spend time exchanging ideas with the national leadership.

Several directors from the national board were on hand to participate in the weekend’s activities. Following the opening prayer session, we were treated to the keynote address by Edwina Gately, founder of the Volunteer Missionary Movement, a writer, retreat leader and vivacious speaker. She invited us to "stretch" to embrace the world as Jesus sees it and to open our minds, hearts and actions to show the world we are the people of God.

The rest of the morning and afternoon were devoted to workshops on Spiritual Direction by Elaine and Bill Korthals, "What Happens When Someone in your Family Comes Out and What the Churches Should Do", presented by PFLAG of Buffalo/Niagara, a rousing workshop by Glenn Hufnagle on "Music Outside the Box: Making Liturgy More Inclusive and Just" and a very moving tribute to Fr. Mychal Judge by Brendan Fay of Dignity/New York. Brendan presented a film which he produced and directed, entitled "A Month’s Mind" - a look at the life of Fr. Mychal and his heroism during the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

The day included a networking lunch in the hotel atrium, a beautiful Eucharistic liturgy at the end of the afternoon, then free time for dinner and sightseeing on our own. Sunday morning’s opening prayer was followed by six of the national directors narrating a "History of Dignity" which was accompanied by a slide show depicting major events in the organization’s 32 year life.

The closing session and prayer left everyone feeling filled, energized and ready to keep on with the gospel work we do. That evening, the Buffalo chapter arranged for a trip to Niagara Falls. The tour included a luxury bus ride (with very informative narration) to both the American and the Canadian sides of the Falls. We had a chance to walk around Goat Island on the American side and from the Canadian side we took a ride on the Maid of the Mist, which took us to the bottom of the Horseshoe Falls. We also enjoyed dinner in Canada, a ride to the end of the gorge, and finally, the Falls, illuminated at night, before we headed back to Buffalo and, eventually, home.

Dignity Days @ Walt Disney World a huge success

A great time was had by all. Our participation was part of the Gay Days at WDW and we were noticed.

The festivities began with a dinner for all Dignity participants Tues, May 28 followed by fireworks display at EPCOT. Wednesday was spent having fun in the park followed by dinner. Throughout the week there was time for meeting at the hotel pool in the afternoons.

Many thanks to the DignityUSA Tampa chapter for all that they did to make the Saturday Liturgy a spirit filled experience for the 75 attendees. DignityUSA and the Tampa chapter hosted the social that followed. This was a first time Dignity event for 20% of those in attendance.

We had excellent media coverage for our participation in Gay Days. Our participation was listed in the official Gay Days Program & our Saturday Dignity Liturgy was posted on the Gay Days website. Dignity was featured in the Orlando Times newspaper as a new event in Gay Days and the only faith organization participant. We also received coverage on the local Channel 2 news station and director Tom Streeper was interviewed.

$600.00 was raised from the trip and another $340.00 in donations at the Liturgy. Director Tom Streeper, who coordinated this first such event for DignityUSA, extends his gratitude to all who made this possible.

Solidarity with Pride

Continue to promote Solidarity Sunday during your Pride Celebrations in July. Did your chapter promote Solidarity Sunday during June? Please let us know!

All chapters were sent a letter with some copies of our new ribbon brochure suggesting our anti-violence project as a good program to promote during Pride celebrations -- especially with spiritual violence at an unprecedented level during the current abuse of power crisis in our Church.

Please let us know at solidaritysunday@dignityusa.org what your chapter has done so we can continue to spread the word of non-violence toward us GLBT people. It’s so important for us all to know how this project is being used by our members and chapters.

And remember lots of GLBT friendly organizations and faith communities -- including progressive Catholic ones — in your community may respond in a Spirit-filled way if you approach them about using this program. Solidarity Sunday this year is October 6, 2002, the Sunday before National Coming Out Day.

Pride Participation: A First for Dayton, OH Chapter

Dignity was there! About 750 people packed Courthouse Square on Saturday afternoon, June 1, for a rally to culminate the city's first Gay Pride March, which began at Cooper Park and wound down Second Street to the square. And the DignityUSA Dayton chapter was there, making history.

Saturday's event was part of the Dayton Pride Celebration, sponsored by the Dayton Gay and Lesbian Center.

Mayor Rhine McLin recently signed a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month in Dayton, the first proclamation in the event's history.

Wear Dignity with Pride

Get your Logo Shirt

Now available for immediate purchase, DignityUSA polo shirts. They are 50/50 Jersey sport shirts, with fashion knit collar, ribbed cuffs and hemmed bottom. The DignityUSA is embroidered on the top left side of the shirt. Shirts are available in light blue, white and sport gray. Sizes come in M, L, XL, XXL and XXXL. The cost is a mere $20.00 plus shipping. Take advantage of this opportunity to purchase your shirt and wear it proudly as a member or friend of DignityUSA. Order Forms are available here and by calling 800-877-8797. Make checks payable to DignityUSA Polo Shirts. All proceeds go to DignityUSA.

Calendar for July:

Celebrate Mary of Magdala, Apostle to the Apostles

As last year, FutureChurch has prepared a prayer service to be used in celebration of St. Mary of Magdala (Saturday, July 22) this year. The service features prayers which could be used for the Sunday vigil Mass, as well as a sunrise or vesper service. The prayer service and brochure are also available in Spanish and French.

Here's what you can do to organize a celebration of St. Mary of Magdala in your Chapter: Request a free St. Mary of Magdala prayer service, brochure and organizing kit (call 216-228-0869). Encourage the religion writer in your secular and diocesan papers to do a story. Or write your own op-ed piece (there's a sample in the organizing kit). For additional information on Mary of Magdala visit: http://www.futurechurch.org/

We Shall Not Be Silent: 3rd Conference site selected

Marianne Duddy, Executive Director of DignityUSA, will be the featured keynote speaker at this day long mini-conference. The San Diego CTA chapter will co-host our third conference of the year with the San Diego Chapter of DignityUSA.

Start planning now to attend this exciting event scheduled for Oct 12, 2002. The members of Dignity & CTA await your arrival and look forward to your visit to beautiful San Diego. Look for more details in the August Dateline.

Details…

Camp Jaroco: Don’t miss out on the fun

August 17-18 are the dates to remember. Wells, Maine is the location. This biennial event is always a big hit in the northeast. Plan now to attend. For details contact: Director Rosemary Ananis at rananis@rr.maine.com

Women and HIV/AIDS: A Cry Of Compassion

Christian Lesbians OUT (CLOUT) will host a gathering August 1-4, 2002 near Washington DC at the University of Maryland. The theme is "Women and HIV/AIDS, A Cry of Compassion: Strengthened to Serve, Empowered to Action." Keynote speaker will be Rev. Alma Crawford, Pastor of the Church of the Open Door in Chicago. Crawford is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association

CLOUT is a movement of women celebrating the miracle of being out, Christian and lesbian. CLOUT is proudly progressive, actively anti-racist, and creatively spiritual and milagro bound. The gathering will include time for Christian lesbians to share, worship, sing, laugh, and deepen their roots for the long struggle for justice.

It will also include a one day conference open to the public on Saturday, August 3. This conference will feature HIV+ women and women living with AIDS as the experts. It will include speakers, singing, worship, drama and workshops. The planning committee for that event includes a number of Washington area HIV/AIDS activists and representatives of predominantly African American GLBT congregations such as Inner Light Unity Fellowship Church and Faith Temple, the oldest African American LGBT congregation in DC. Rev. Donna Butts, CLOUT Council member and Associate Pastor at Inner Light, chairs the committee for the Saturday event. Valerie Papaya Mann from the DC CARE Consortium is a key planner.

For details, contact Rev. Jan Griesinger, CLOUT National Coordinator, at PO Box 5853, Athens, OH 45701;

740-448-6424. Rev. Butts can be contacted in Washington DC at 301-630-4174 or believeyoucan@msn.com

Be Generous

By now you have received in the mail an appeal for your financial support of Dignity. In these times our voice is needed more than ever. "Now, more than ever, DignityUSA needs your support. We cannot abandon our role as the only voice for GLBT Catholics, our families and friends. We cannot allow attacks on our community to go unchecked. We cannot allow gay priests and other gay people to be scapegoats for the failures of our bishops." Be generous with your support — the rewards are forever. Thank you.

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