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DignityUSA Applauds Vatican Decision to Restore Liturgies at Brebeuf Jesuit High School in Indianapolis

Contacts:
Marianne Duddy-Burke, [email protected], 617-669-7810
Meli Barber, [email protected]

September 23, 2019, Boston, MA. DignityUSA, the organization of Catholics working for equality, justice and full inclusion of LGBTQI Catholics in the church and society, is applauding the Vatican’s decision to temporarily suspend the Archbishop of Indianapolis’ order denying Brebeuf Jesuit High School permission to celebrate Masses. The Congregation of Catholic Education announced that it has suspended the order while the school appeals Archbishop Thompson’s revocation of its Catholic credentials due to its refusal to fire a gay teacher married to another man.

“We see the Vatican’s restoration of access to our church’s sacraments during the appeal process as a hopeful sign,” said Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive Director of DignityUSA. “Depriving people of access to the sacraments is deeply unjust and severely damaging to individuals and communities. The students, faculty, and staff at Brebeuf deserve to continue to be sustained by the ability to celebrate liturgy together.”

Duddy-Burke noted that her organization understands the impact that being barred from celebrating Eucharist can have. “For decades, bishops around the country have forbidden priests from celebrating Masses for Dignity communities in their dioceses,” she said. “We don’t believe that the church’s sacraments should be withheld from people seeking the grace and community they provide. We sincerely hope that the dialogue between the Vatican and the Archbishop of Indianapolis leads to a resolution that respects the fact that the Catholic Church is broad and diverse in its reach. All should be welcome at the table of Jesus, and all who treasure their baptism should be cherished by church leaders. No soul is expendable.”

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DignityUSA is the world’s oldest organization of Catholics working for justice for LGBTQI people. Founded in 1969, it is a founding member of the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics and has just marked its 50th anniversary