Francis DeBernardo, Editor, Author at New Ways Ministry

About Francis DeBernardo, Editor

Francis DeBernardo has ministered at New Ways Ministry since 1992, first as a volunteer, and then as a staff member since 1994. He has served as Executive Director since 1996. He has conducted programs on LGBT issues and Catholicism in parishes, dioceses, retreat houses, colleges, and religious communities throughout the United States. He authored Marriage Equality: A Positive Catholic Approach. He is the editor and a contributor to Bondings 2.0, a daily blog of news and opinion covering Catholic LGBT topics. His articles have appeared in The National Catholic Reporter, Commonweal, The Advocate, and The American Catholic. He was the keynote speaker at the conference on religion and LGBT issues at the first World Pride event in Rome, Italy, in 2000, and a featured speaker at the interfaith conference at World Pride in London, England in 2012.

Entries by Francis DeBernardo, Editor

Why I Stay: ‘God brought me to both my Catholic and LGBT identities’

March 23, 2019 /1 Comment/in Personal Stories, Why We Came. Why We Left. Why We Stayed. /by Francis DeBernardo, Editor

“Growing up, I had no awareness I was asexual and agender. However, since puberty I felt an unease and disconnect about my body.”

South Dakota Catholic Conference Helps Defeat LGBTQ Hate Crime Protections

March 11, 2019 /4 Comments/in Politics & Human Rights /by Francis DeBernardo, Editor

The South Dakota Catholic Conference (SDCC) supportedthe recent defeat of a state legistlature bill that would have extended hate crime protections to LGBTQ South Dakotans.

“Lead Us Not Into TEMPTATION”

March 10, 2019 /1 Comment/in Scriptural Reflections /by Francis DeBernardo, Editor

As we enter the season of Lent, take a moment to reflect on what part temptations and tests play in your spiritual life.

Why We Left: Our Church refuses to recognize scientific facts about our intersex daughter

March 9, 2019 /2 Comments/in Personal Stories, Why We Came. Why We Left. Why We Stayed. /by Francis DeBernardo, Editor

“We must all continue to recognize that there are things we need to learn. We must question and learn in order to truly love one another.”

Ash Wednesday: “Come Back to Me”

March 6, 2019 /1 Comment/in Scriptural Reflections /by Francis DeBernardo, Editor

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, our annual season of repentance and renewal to prepare for the great feast of Easter. “Bondings 2.0” introduces a new scriptural reflection series for LGBTQ people and allies, entitled “From Ashes to the Oil of Gladness.”

Why We Stay: Owning Faith, Making Change, Being Out and Proud

March 3, 2019 /1 Comment/in Personal Stories, Why We Came. Why We Left. Why We Stayed. /by Francis DeBernardo, Editor

Three LGBTQ people offer diverse reasons of why they stay in the Catholic Church.

Was the Summit the Beginning of the End of Clericalism?

February 26, 2019 /4 Comments/in Gay Priests, Hierarchy, Protection of Minors Summit /by Francis DeBernardo, Editor

A main theme at the summit was how the problem of clericalism has hampered the life of the Church and has been the main cause of the sex abuse crisis. Although clericalism had emerged as an important theme before the summit, it was amazing to see how many speakers condemned it as a significant problem that the hierarchy must work to eradicate.