<p><span class=Apple-style-span style=font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px; ><p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; ><em><strong>Voice for Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender Catholics Reaffirms its Mission</strong></em></p><p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; ><strong>Washington DC &mdash;&nbsp;</strong>The leadership of DignityUSA the organization for gay lesbian bisexual and transgender (GLBT) Catholics reacted with dismay to today's election of Cardinal Ratzinger as the new Pope.</p><p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >DignityUSA President Sam Sinnett said &ldquo;The new Pope is seen as the principal author of the most virulently anti-gay anti-GLBT rhetoric in the last papacy. The elevation of Cardinal Ratzinger is being seen by many GLBT Catholics as a profound betrayal by the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church and betrayal of one of the most fundamental teachings of Jesus Christ as the loving Good Shepherd who reached out to the ones separated from the flock.&nbsp; We believe the 21st century Roman Catholic hierarchical shepherds are themselves lost and it is up to the flock to call them back.&rdquo;</p><p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >&quot;This election tests our faith in the Scriptural promise that 'all things work together unto good for those who love God.'&nbsp; We express deep sadness for all those who will find themselves further alienated from the Church because of Cardinal Ratzinger's assumption of the papacy.&nbsp; With their support and that of all our members and allies we will re-double our efforts to speak the truth of our lives as faithful GLBT Catholics.&rdquo;</p><p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >Sinnett continued &quot;DignityUSA reaffirms our steadfast commitment to witness to the holiness of GLBT people our lives and our loving relationships and in so doing we serve our community and the greater Church.&nbsp; We will continue to be nourished by the sacrament of the Eucharist by our prayer lives and by the increasing acceptance and welcome we find among the people of our Church.&quot;</p><p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >DignityUSA called on its members and Chapters to enter into a period of prayer for the Church and the world from now until Pentecost which will be celebrated on May 15th. &quot;Pentecost is the feast of the birth of the Church&quot; said Sinnett. &quot;We pray that this Pentecost may be a time of rebirth.&quot;</p><p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >God Bless Us All.</p><p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; ><em>DignityUSA is the nation's foremost organization of gay lesbian bisexual and transgender Catholics their families friends and supporters. Founded in 1969 it is an independent nonprofit organization with members and chapters across the country.</em>&nbsp;<em>DignityUSA works for full inclusion of gay lesbian bisexual and transgender people in the life of the Church and Society.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=http://www.dignityusa.org/ style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51 0 102); text-decoration: underline; >www.dignityusa.org</a></em></p></span></p>