DignityUSA - Dateline 1/03

During the fall meeting of the US Catholic Bishops Conference, DignityUSA leaders had a number of informal conversations with bishops about the scapegoating of gay priests, and rumored Vatican policies to ban gay men from seminaries. While we found some support for the belief that gay priests are being unfairly scapegoated, no bishop agreed that the US Conference should go on record opposing any attempt to bar men from seminaries on the basis of sexual orientation.

In conjunction with the bishops' meeting, Dignity/Northern Virginia, Dignity/Washington (DC), and DignityUSA cosponsored a powerful Mass, in which attendees were offered the opportunity to be anointed for healing or in affirmation of their ministerial gifts.

Dignity members also participated in a candlelight vigil in support of victims of clergy sexual abuse, a feminist rosary, and a summit of Catholic organizations. At that meeting, the assembled groups agreed to speak out jointly against Vatican proposals to ban gay seminarians.

A more detailed report on DignityUSA activities at the Fall USCCB meeting will appear in the winter issue of the DignityUSA Journal.

Richard Sipe to Deliver Convention 2003 Keynote Address

Mr. Richard Sipe, noted author and psychotherapist, will be the Keynote Speaker at the DignityUSA 2003 Convention to be held in August in Las Vegas.

Mr. Sipe, a former Benedictine monk and priest, is married to former Maryknoll nun, Marianne Benkert, MD., a psychiatrist at UCSD's Owen Clinic. For more than 30 years, he has been engaged in research on the institution and practice of priestly celibacy.

He has counseled clergy accused of sexual crimes. Ordained in 1959, Sipe began his psychotherapy training at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka Kansas in 1964 on a scholarship from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). He left the priesthood in 1970, and has written extensively on the church's policy of committing priests to a lifetime of celibacy. Mr. Sipe currently lives in the seaside community of La Jolla, Calif.

Sipe is the author of such books as "Sex, Priests, and Power: Anatomy of a Crisis", "A Secret World: Sexuality & the Search for Celibacy", "Celibacy: A Way of Loving, Living & Serving", "Psychiatry, Ministry, & Pastoral Counseling" and "Hope: Psychiatry's Commitment".

According to A.W. Richard Sipe, "If they [the Church] were to eliminate all those [ordained clergy] who were homosexually oriented, the number would be so staggering that it would be like an atomic bomb; it would do the same damage to the church's operation. It would mean the resignation of at least a third of the bishops of the world. And it's very much against the tradition of the church; many saints had a gay orientation, and many popes had gay orientations. Discriminating against orientation is not going to solve the problem."

Nominations are Open

If you have been thinking about serving DignityUSA as a director, now is your chance to let everyone know. At the beginning of the new year, information will be made available regarding the procedures to follow for nominations to the DignityUSA board of directors.

We have Nominations and Elections Committees in place for 2003. Terry Mischel has agreed to chair the Nominations Committee. Michael Flynn will chair the Elections Committee.

In accordance with the DignityUSA bylaws, the nominations committee is charged with the responsibility to seek out persons who exhibit the skills and diversity needed to serve as a director.

2003 is also a year when we elect our President and Vice President for a 2-year term.

President Announces Newest Appointment to the Board of Directors

DignityUSA president Pat McArron has appointed Chellie Griffin to the DignityUSA Board of Directors. Chellie received a unanimous vote of confidence from the current members of the board. Her appointment to the board is effective immediately.

Michelle "Chellie" Griffin is an out transsexual lesbian cradle Catholic. Chellie has two grown children and three grandchildren. She is employed as a Management Information Systems Consultant.

Chellie joined Dignity in Dallas (TX) in 1998 and was a member of Regional and National Houses of Delegates from 1999 through 2001. Chellie has served as Chapter Liturgy Committee Chair person since 1999, Chapter Board member since 2001 and this year as Chapter vice president. Chellie graduated from the Leadership Lambda training program in 2001; founded their Youth Programs Committee, and serves as its co-chair. Chellie serves as a Member of the task force implementing the Diocese of Fort Worth (TX) "Ministry with Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered and other sexual minority Catholics." Chellie is also an active member of the Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance political action committee;

Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) in Dallas and Tarrant counties; the Gay Prom Committee, and works in support of persons living with HIV and AIDS in North Texas.

Chellie brings to the board a "can do, will do" attitude. McArron stated that "She is a no-nonsense person who has a reputation for getting things done."

Coming to the Desert in August 2003?

During DignityUSA's 2003 Convention in Las Vegas, we've planned no events on Friday night. This is your night out on the town-see a show, a headliner or just soak in the millions of lights. Here are a few suggestions you may want to plan now to see and do:

See you in Las Vegas! Remember, "Resistance is Futile."

Announcements

A Pilgrimage

Sister Jeannine Gramick will be leading a pilgrimage to Poland, Prague, and Budapest for friends and advocates of lesbian and gay Catholics, March 25-April 3, 2003. The 10-day journey to Catholic holy sites will be interwoven with daily Mass, historical and spiritual talks, personal prayer, and evenings of reflection and discussion.

Due in no small measure to the political acumen of Pope John Paul II, the spiritual treasures of Eastern Europe are more accessible to the world. If you have ever wanted to experience these Catholic cultures, consider making this pilgrimage. For further information, phone Sister Jeannine Gramick at 301-864-3604 or e-mail "gramick@juno.com."

See www.Unitours.com/client/srgramick.html

Congratulations Marianne and Becky

December 11, 2002, was a really big day for Marianne Duddy, our Executive Director, and her partner Becky Burke. They became full time moms to Emily, their new beautiful daughter.

As a result of this major change in their lives, Marianne is on six weeks leave to attend to the duties of parenting.

Happy Anniversary & Congratulations to:

Brooklyn (NY) - 26 Years

Phoenix (AZ) - 26 Years

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