The Dateline is the monthly newsletter of DignityUSA. It is sent electronically to all subscribers of DignityNews and to DignityUSA chapters.
If you require a printed version of the Dateline, please ask your local (or the nearest) Dignity chapter.
"(Dignity/San Antonio members) understand that "church" is first and foremost a community of people. They understand Bishop Cantu is most likely caught up in a clerical system far bigger than himself, intent on control and any exclusion necessary to retain it. They understand the consecration of the Eucharist is intertwined with the transformation of people into disciples called to go forth and love as Christ did. They understand that a presider doesn’t come into a community and “say Mass” but comes from the community to facilitate their prayer, and that they all share the priesthood of believers called to care for one another."
Mark Matson, President, DignityUSA
in lead Dateline article about visit to San Antonio
Vision of a new church, as expounded by Executive Director Marianne Duddy-Burke during the October 1-3, 2010 DignityUSA Board Meeting and Leadership Summit:
-
A church that welcomes LGBT people to its pews, women to its pulpits, and accountability of its papacy
-
Parents who celebrate their child's coming out in the way a baptism or confirmation is celebrated
-
Freedom from fear of retribution in our churches
-
Freedom from suppressing our God-given sexuality
-
Freedom not only to be proud to be gay, but proud to be Catholic!
From Board Member Laura Monroe's article
"From Trepidation to Exhilaration: My First DignityUSA Board Meeting"
Solidarity Interfaith Prayer
God, You are the Creator and Lover of all.
You wish us to live in solidarity with each other and to rejoice in our diversity.
We pray that all Your lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and straight children may
experience justice, enjoy peace and spread Your love throughout the world.
We pray in the name of God, who welcomes all to a holy circle of friendship.
Amen.
Solidarity Sunday is October 10, 2010
DignityUSA does something no local community can do—namely, to be our “Voice” of balance to the Roman Catholic Bishops’ crazy teachings regarding sexuality. I think of DignityUSA being similar to a radio station that has been transmitting a message of hope, dignity, and challenge for almost 40 years now. I for one do not want that station to stop broadcasting. Do you?
DignityUSA is relevant and alive. Changes that we make and live in are exactly the opportunity we must embrace in order to heed Mary Hunt’s words of challenge and encouragement to us. The common denominator that holds us can no longer be the personal spirituality of Roman Catholic GLBT persons. Our common denominator now is the Gospel message of justice and truth.
Lourdes Rodriguez-Nogues
Vice-President, DignityUSA
Current Reflections on DignityUSA
And as we close out another Pride month, therein lies our particular conundrum. As the gap between official teaching and popular belief widens in our Church, in large part through the truth-living of so many LGBT Catholics over the years, we must continue to rally our allies to repel the hierarchy’s ongoing attacks on us.
Marianne Duddy-Burke
Executive Directory, DignityUSA
Pride and Prejudice
Q: What would you say to a closeted person who was struggling to consolidate his/her sexuality and his/her religion?
A: I would recall the story of Jesus calling Lazarus back from the tomb of death to live again. Being in the closet is like being entombed. This is not what God intended when he made you. God is love and love does not entomb. . . . The day I stopped denying who I was and allowed someone in to love me as I am was a day I felt tremendous Grace. I will never forget the day or time or spot or man I was with. I knew that I was experiencing love and tenderness. I was finally in my body. I felt whole, (“Holy”). This is what the Church calls “Sacrament” — the profound breaking-in of God’s grace in our lives. I have only grown closer to God ever since. There are so many others with similar experiences. Come – leave your tomb and join us. We’ll light your path.
DignityUSA President Mark Matson
in "A Recent Communication"
This Easter Season provides the greatest opportunity in a very long time for us to experience Resurrection. This is the day for us to cast off the remaining shackles of death, the final bonds to the perversions of truth that overshadow the beauty and love at the core of our faith. As what we have known as “Church” breaks apart, we have both the opportunity and the duty to help shape the new Church in a way that is faithful to the truths we have learned in exile, in strong community, in communion with others marginalized by errant leadership. The new Church we bring into being must be focused on tending those in need, and in preaching and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ despite any opposition. This is the day our God has made; let us rejoice and do our part in building the new City of God.
Marianne Duddy-Burke
DignityUSA Executive Director
in "Feed My Lambs, Tend My Sheep"
IT'S HURTFUL TO SEE THE CATHOLIC
CHURCH REJECTING GAY PEOPLE.
BUT REJECTING CHILDREN
BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS ARE GAY?
THAT HURT CAN LAST A LIFETIME.
DignityUSA-sponsored full-page ad
from March, 14, 2010
Denver Post and Boulder Daily Camera
It is an exciting time to lead DignityUSA. I have no indication that my personal convictions about where we need to go are off-base because your Board is unified.
You can be a part of the team that is grappling with fundamental questions, such as what does it mean to be “Roman Catholic.” If you think we are heading in the wrong direction – get involved. If you think we are heading in the right direction and you want to help us get over the mountains – get involved.
We are currently seeking new talent as candidates to run for positions on our National Board of Directors in upcoming elections. (See page 5.)
DignityUSA President Mark Matson
in "So, Now What?"
On this Valentine’s Day, DignityUSA recommits itself to our part in the struggle to achieve full equality for same-sex couples and couples with at least one transgender member. We will continue to educate Catholics about the need for marriage equality, and we continue our spiritual celebrations of the love and commitment these couples share. We are absolutely committed to full equality for us as individuals and for those in loving relationships, both in civil society and in our Church. And on Valentine’s Day, we honor and celebrate all of our members and friends, gay and straight, who strive to live in love every day.
Marianne Duddy-Burke
Execitove Director, DignityUSA