NEWS NOTES: Parish Thanks Protestors Who Attacked Pride; Legislator Extols Pride in Catholic-Owned Media; And More

Here are some items you might find of interest:

1. St. Queen Jadwiga, a parish near Bialystok, Poland, thanked right wing activists who protested that city’s Pride parade earlier this summer. In the bulletin, the parish said the activists, some of whom violently attacked LGBTQ marchers, were “joining in defense of Christian values” and defending the city “from the planned immorality and depravity.” Tensions between the LGBTQ community and Polish church leaders have been escalating this year. For more details, click here.

2. Newsbook, a news outlet whose main shareholder is the Archdiocese of Malta, published a letter from Maltese legislator Claudette Buttigieg that championed Pride, which the nation celebrated on September 14. Buttigieg, who sponsored one of Malta’s first LGBTQ laws, wrote that Pride was “more than just celebration” but a reminder that “we cannot fail anybody in our society.” She added, “That is why, in spite of our laws, it is still important to have Pride Marches. Their main purpose is not about being hip. The carnival atmosphere is there to make sure that diversity is visible in the fog of prejudice.”

3. The editors of Our Sunday Visitor claimed it was “refreshing to observe a recent exchange between Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia and Jesuit Father James Martin” on LGBTQ ministry, saying it was “rooted in civility — without becoming watered down.” Their editorial concluded, “Why did we feel the need to highlight such an exchange? Because it is an example of the road less traveled — one of respectful dialogue between two prominent churchmen with two very different opinions . . . To exchanges like the one between Archbishop Chaput and Father Martin, we say, with great love for the Church: Yes, please.” (For previous posts about this debate click here, here, and here.

4. A queer Catholic was named as one of the Center for American Progress’ “9 LGBTQ Faith Leaders to Watch in 2019.” Drew Konow, described as “a scholar of religion, a cultural critic, and an activist,” has worked with the Religious Institute in the past and done research into the experiences of lesbian and gay Catholics during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 1990s.

—Robert Shine, New Ways Ministry, October 6, 2019