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News Archive (2009)

Gay Catholics Welcome Unexpected Vatican Statement Opposing Use of the Death Penalty/Imprisonment Against Gay People

Leaders of the US’s largest group of gay Catholics expressed surprise and satisfaction at the release of a Vatican statement that opposed the use of the death penalty and other severe violations of the human rights of gay people. They noted that the statement was particularly welcome in light of an effort by the government of Uganda to pass a law imposing the death penalty for being gay, and the reported impending execution of twelve gay men in Iran.

At the UN last week, the Vatican’s Permanent Observer issued a statement that said, in part,

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DignityUSA Adopts More Inclusive Mission Statement

By Mark Matson, President of DignityUSA

At the October 2009 DignityUSA Board Meeting held in Minneapolis, the DignityUSA Board of Directors unanimously adopted a reworded Mission Statement that is more inclusive, more reflective of reality, and more forward-thinking than the former Mission Statement.

DignityUSA: Roman Catholic? LGBT-focused?

By Daniel Helminiak

DignityUSA is probably stronger than ever. The superb work of a paid staff and talented Board has given Dignity the stability, efficiency, and competence to be a powerful voice for change. Yet one uncertainty continues to becloud the organization: there is no consensus on what its work should be. Thus, Dignity’s impact is scattered, fragmented, and diluted.

DignityUSA Statement on World AIDS Day 2009

DignityUSA once again joins with individuals and organizations across the globe to mark World AIDS Day. Today, we recall the 24 million individuals throughout the world whose lives have been cut short by this disease, and we reflect on the people left behind--orphaned children, beloved partners, bereft parents, siblings, family and friends.

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What qualifies priests to preach about marriage?

External Link: 
Read more of Norma's letter to the editor

Editor's Note:  This is an letter to the editor written by a member of Dignity/Columbus:

All the Catholic priests in Ohio called to a two-day convocation on marriage. Wow! According to two Dispatch articles of Nov. 6, "Help for modern marriages" and "Priests seek ideas to help newlyweds," this conference, part of a national effort to strengthen marriage, offered "speeches from clergy, theologians and academics with advice."

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NCROnline Blog: Study: No link between gay priests and sex abuse scandal

External Link: 
Click Here to read the entire blog by Thomas C. Fox

It has been so unfair. Elements in our Catholic community have repeatedly placed the blame of the sex abuse scandal that has rocked our church at the feet of a gay clergy.

It has been a case of guilty until proven innocent. 

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Catholic Reform Leaders Call for an Inclusive Pastoral on Marriage

At its annual fall meeting from November 16 19, 2009, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is expected to review a new pastoral letter pertaining to marriage. In a statement to the bishops, Catholic reform leaders call upon them to create a pastoral that addresses the real needs of Catholics in the United States:

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Gay Catholics Welcome Bishops' Study on Sexual Abuse - No Link between Orientation and Abuse

 Nov. 18, 2009--During their annual meeting this week in Baltimore, the US Catholic Bishops reviewed a preliminary version of a study they commissioned on the reasons for clergy sexual abuse. The study by John Jay College of Criminal Justice researchers found that being gay had no correlation to the sex abuse scandal that has rocked the U.S.
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Gay Catholic group urges D.C. to defy church

External Link: 
Read more at DC Agenda

The gay Catholic group Dignity USA is urging the D.C. City Council to reject a demand by the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington that it amend a pending same-sex marriage bill to allow its charitable arm to discriminate against gay employees.

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Our auction date is fast approaching!

Just in time for your fabulous Holiday shopping The Fall Fling opens for bidding on November 21, 2009 at 8:00 AM EST Time.

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