The new Vatican document, Dignitas Infinita, fails terribly by offering transgender and nonbinary people not infinite, but limited human dignity. While it lays out a wonderful rationale for why each human being, regardless of condition in life, must be respected, honored, and loved, it does not apply this principle to gender-diverse people.
“While the Word is silent, while Life is in the sepulchre, those who had hoped in him were put to a difficult test. . . “
“. . . they would discover a new beginning right there, in the cross.”
“I have given you a model to follow”
If you are a Catholic concerned about LGBTQ+ equality in the church, one topic that is surely at the top of your mind is the importance of moral approval of same-gender sexual relationships. Those thoughts may be foremost in your mind today, Valentine’s Day, a time to reflect on the goodness of love, commitment, and relationship.
Catholics who support LGBTQ+ people are always excited when Pope Francis says something positive. Yet, how often do we follow his example of outreach and support?
But over the course of my years of ministry, I began to express another truth that I came to learn: the simple presence of LGBTQ+ people can present a threatening challenge to some people.
It’s easy to guess the church’s name, but it may be hard to believe!
LGBTQ+ Catholics can learn a lot from Dr. King. And as I read his words, I couldn’t help but hear the echoes of what Pope Francis has been teaching the church about synodality.
From this perspective, this feast reminds us that God has come into the world to redeem not only for those who consider themselves chosen, but for those who were traditionally excluded by those who think of themselves as chosen. Sound familiar?