Women's Leadership Fund

Home ›

News Archive (2010)

Participate in Survey about Catholic organizations ministry to LGBT community

Dear Members and Friends of the Catholic GLBT Community,

I am a sociologist, teaching at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University in Central Minnesota. As a committed Catholic, I have long been interested in Catholic identity and how Catholic organizations serve their target populations and advance their specific missions while maintaining their legitimacy within the larger Catholic community. My current research focuses on organizations engaged in ministry and outreach to the Catholic GLBT community. I am interested in better understanding how organizations can improve the dialog about GLBT issues within the Catholic community at this time of increasing polarization within both our society and our Church.

DignityUSA Calls on Catholics to Challenge Vatican Abuse of Power

DignityUSA joined 26 other Catholic organizations around the globe in expressing outrage at the Vatican’s including the “attempted ordination of women” among the “delicta graviora," or most serious of crimes against Church law. This puts ordination of women on par with clergy sex-abuse.

Vatican Miscategorizes Women's Rights Advocates with Child Abusers

Twenty-seven Catholic organizations from around the globe issue statement denouncing the oppression of women and the inadequate response to child sex crimes

Yesterday, the Vatican issued a clarification of its canonical procedures for how dioceses should handle priests who sexually abuse children. As part of the statement, they have added that the "attempted ordination of a woman" has now been added to the list of "delicta graviora," or most serious crimes in church law, alongside the sexual abuse of minors.

Catholic Organizations Challenge Firing of Lesbian Religion Teacher

A Joint Statement from the leaders of Call To Action, Fortunate Families, DignityUSA, and New Ways Ministry

Denver – June 21, 2010 - Toni Talarico was fired by Catholic officials despite a sterling record of 28 years of teaching religion at a Catholic parish in Denver.  She was fired because she happens to be a lesbian.  And, although Toni was fired in January of this year, the story is now coming to light after months of wrangling over her accrued benefits. 

Filed under

Pride and Prejudice

By Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive Director, DignityUSA

Just as LGBTQ Pride activities were ramping up in Boston during June 2010, our archdiocesan newspaper, The Boston Pilot, printed one of the most egregious articles I’ve seen in many a year. Written by one of the paper’s regular columnists, the piece began by stating the author’s belief that same-sex couples could not actually be “real” parents; they may have children in their custody, but the lack of biological connection with at least one parent was seen as an insurmountable obstacle to parenthood. The author then offered three reasons that children of same-sex parents posed a danger to Catholic schools. First, having children observe teachers and other school officials being polite and respectful to a lesbian or gay couple would give “scandal.” Second, the writer questioned the gay/lesbian parents’ motivation for involvement in classroom and extracurricular activities. Finally, it was stated that children living with gay couples would likely bring obscene or pornographic material to class.

We’ve Got the Solution!!!

What to do with all that great art work you have but no place to display it? Or that crystal bowl Aunt Sarah gave you that doesn’t match any of your modern decor? Or how about that timeshare you bought ten years ago and you just don’t want to schlep there anymore?

We have the solution to these and many other items you no longer use. Donate them to DignityUSA’s summer online auction. You will share those treasures with someone else, get a tax deduction, and help DignityUSA raise some cash. What a great way to do re-gifting!

All Are Welcome to Witness the Board in Action

DignityUSA’s Board of Directors will meet Friday through Sunday, July 9–11, 2010, at the Embassy Suites Columbus-Airport Hotel, 2886 Airport Drive, Columbus, OH 43219. (614-536- 0500).

The Board meets Friday evening for about 3 hours; Saturday 9:00 a.m. until about 6:00 p.m.; Sunday, beginning with a liturgy, the Board wraps up its work in a 3-hour session ending at 12:00 noon.

DignityUSA members desiring to see a copy of the agenda please contact Lewis Tanner (secretary@dignityusa.org).

Dignity/Honolulu Celebrates Anniversary & LGBT Pride

On Sunday, May 23, 2010, Dignity/Honolulu celebrated its 34th Anniversary with a special Mass and potluck supper at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Honolulu, their weekly liturgy site. The theme “Victory” was proclaimed by Tim Earhart, Chapter President, congratulating the chapter for achieving 34 years of ministry to the Catholic LGBT community in Hawaii, and also for the passage of the civil unions bill by the Hawaii State Legislature. The community is awaiting the Governor’s action on the bill. Editor’s note: Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle has until July 6, 2010, to decide how to respond to the bill.

DignityUSA Magdala Campaign

July 22nd is the Feast of St. Mary of Magdala. It is a day set forth by various religious organizations and faith communities to commemorate Mary Magdalene as the “Apostle to the Apostles,” and to celebrate the charism of women and their contributions to the Church. Mindful of the latter, and in keeping with DignityUSA’s mission statement, the National Board of Directors will launch a Magdala Campaign in July 2010.

Faithful Prophets: God Alive in Every Generation

Call To Action 2010 National Conference
November 5-7, Milwaukee, Wisconsin