Boston, MA, December 3, 2018. DignityUSA, the world’s oldest and largest organization of Catholics committed to justice, equality, and full inclusion of LGBTQI people in the church and society, expressed its deep concern about reported passages in Pope Francis’ new book, saying they reveal a profound ignorance of human sexuality, perpetuate long-disproved myths about lesbian and gay people, and promote discrimination and violence against LGBTQI people around the world.
Aug. 6, 2018. Last week, Pope Francis changed the Catechism of the Catholic Church to make the death penalty entirely unacceptable, saying it is “an attack” on human dignity. DignityUSA, the organization of LGBTQI Catholics and allies, welcomes this change, along with many other Catholics around the world. DignityUSA also notes that this news has some very important and particular implications for LGBTQI people. Therefore, DignityUSA Executive Director Marianne Duddy-Burke has issued the following statement:
June 18, 2018. Just weeks before World Meeting of Families 2018, a Vatican event that has been plagued with mixed messages about whether same-sex couples and families of LGBTQI people will be welcome, Pope Francis projected a very narrow view of what family is. In remarks to the Italian group Forum delle Famiglie, the Pope is reported to have said, “It is painful to say this today: People speak of varied families, of various kinds of family," but "the family [as] man and woman in the image of God is the only one."
May 29, 2018. Pope Francis’ directive to Italian bishops to exclude men they believe may be gay from seminaries raises several deeply troubling issues. According to widely circulated reports from outlets such as Catholic News Agency, “if you have even the slightest doubt it's better not to let them enter,” Francis said, “because these acts or deep-seated tendencies can lead to scandals and can compromise the life of the seminary, as well as the man himself and his future priesthood.”
May 21, 2018. Boston, MA. According to reports from Spain’s El Pais newspaper and the Associated Press, Pope Francis has reportedly told a gay male survivor of clerical sexual abuse that his sexual orientation comes from God. Juan Carlos Cruz said that in a private meeting about the Chilean sexual abuse scandal, Pope Francis said, “Look Juan Carlos, the pope loves you this way. God made you like this and he loves you.”
At this point, the Vatican is declining to confirm or deny the remarks.
The Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy is releasing a new document (dated December 8, 2016) entitled “The Gift of the Priestly Vocation,” which is a set of guidelines for priestly formation. The document notes, “The Holy Father Francis has approved the present General Executive Decree and has ordered its publication.”
November 4, 2016—“DignityUSA is deeply disappointed by Pope Francis’ recent reaffirmation of Pope John Paul II's statement that the ordination of women will never be possible in the Catholic Church,” said the organization’s executive director, Marianne Duddy-Burke.
Indianapolis, IN. October 2, 2016. In remarks at a gathering of Catholics in Georgia, Pope Francis termed what he calls “gender theory” “the great enemy of marriage.” He also said “the whole world is at war trying to destroy marriage,” not with arms, “but with ideas.” He repeated his claim that the Church has “to defend ourselves from ideological colonization.”
Indianapolis, IN. October 2, 2016. In remarks at a gathering of Catholics in Georgia, Pope Francis termed what he calls “gender theory” “the great enemy of marriage.” He also said “the whole world is at war trying to destroy marriage,” not with arms, “but with ideas.” He repeated his claim that the Church has “to defend ourselves from ideological colonization.”
Boston, MA. August 1, 2016. During a meeting with Polish bishops while attending World Youth Day, Pope Francis concluded his remarks by complaining that children are being taught “that everyone can choose their gender.” He also called this “ideological colonization” by “very influential countries.”
