Jesuit universities to hold conferences on ‘sexual diversity’
March 22, 2011
Two Jesuit universities and two Protestant divinity schools will hold a series of conferences this fall devoted to “sexual diversity and the Catholic Church.”
The first conference, at Fordham University,
will shed light on the diverse, dynamic, and distinct views that active and former Catholics hold on the subject of sexual diversity. The focus will be not only on the issue of belief — what one thinks about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people or their sexuality — but also on practice — how one lives out the consequences of those beliefs and the Catholic Church’s teachings in daily life. In contrast to the pronouncements of Catholic church leaders and in addition to the voices of lay and ordained pro-LGBT Catholic activists, this conference aims to lift up a range of voices of American Catholics of all races, genders, social and economic backgrounds, and sexual orientations.
The second conference will be devoted to “the fostering of a pro-queer life student/educational culture”; the advertisement for the third critiques the Connecticut bishops’ opposition to same-sex marriage.
“The Catholic Church has large numbers of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender laity engaged in pastoral work in the Church and many gay clergy,” according to the advertisement for the fourth conference, which will be held at Fairfield University. “But the official standpoint of the teaching Church makes their status as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender problematic for individuals, their communities, and the Church. This creates conflicts and tensions for many, while hiding the fact that all Christians contribute to Church life because of, not despite who they are.”
Sister Jeannine Gramick of New Ways Ministry-- which was recently criticized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for misrepresenting Catholic teaching on homosexuality-- will speak at the fourth conference.
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Further information:
- More Than a Monologue: Sexual Diversity and the Catholic Church (Fairfield University)
- The Conferences this Fall on "Sexual Diversity and the Catholic Church" (In All Things)
- US bishops reaffirm: New Ways Ministry not a Catholic organization (CWN, 3/17)
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Posted by: unum -
Mar. 23, 2011 11:36 AM ET USA
Hartwood, I join you in praying, "that they are celibate. However, from the tone and inferences of the promotional materials for these conferences, I am afraid that celibacy is not on their agenda.
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Posted by: hartwood01 -
Mar. 22, 2011 9:27 PM ET USA
Oh we all know many "gay" clergy. I only pray that they are celibate. Their sexual proclivities may have not been their choice,but for their soul's sake,may they keep their vows of chastity. As for the Jesuits,they are an albatross hung around the neck of the Church. May God have mercy on their souls.
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Posted by: Mike in Toronto -
Mar. 22, 2011 7:00 PM ET USA
"In contrast to the pronouncements of Catholic church leaders ..." One line says it all.
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Posted by: -
Mar. 22, 2011 10:16 AM ET USA
The bishops did more than just merely "criticize" New Ways Ministry.
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Posted by: Lucius49 -
Mar. 22, 2011 8:30 AM ET USA
Apologia pro vita perversa? Will anything be done about this kind of treachery? Sadly probably not. There is a lack of will to defend the Church and root out false brethren especially in the area of homosexuality.
