Letter from German Catholics Calls for “New Start on Sexual Morality”
Leading Catholics in Germany have released an open letter calling for a “new start with sexual morality” that includes a re-evaluation of homosexuality.
Entries by Robert Shine, Associate Editor
Excerpt from “Inside the Closet of the Vatican” Released Ahead of Book Launch
Ahead of its publication, the National Catholic Reporter released an excerpt from the book “Inside the Closet of the Vatican” by Frédéric Martel.
New Book on Homosexuality at the Vatican Concerns Advocates for Gay Priests
A new book on homosexuality and the Vatican is being released this week, one which includes the claim, among several controversial assertions, that 80 percent of priests at the Vatican are gay.
Gay Pastoral Ministers in the Netherlands Publish Open Letter to Pope Francis
Gay pastoral ministers in the Netherlands have published an open letter to Pope Francis protesting the Vatican’s ban on gay priests and claiming the Gospel’s credibility is imperiled by the Church’s attitude on homosexuality.
German Bishop Shifts Position, Calls for Church to Rethink Teachings on Homosexuality
Significantly shifting his position, a German bishop has called for the Church to rethink its teachings on homosexuality and condemned problematic aspects of those teachings which have caused people harm.
Bishop John Stowe Leads University of Notre Dame LGBTQ Retreat; Fr. James Martin Awarded
Two LGBT events at the University of Notre Dame are occurring in early 2019, signs that the campus is making further progress towards inclusion after the cause was stymied by administrators for so many years.
Austrian Cardinal Defends Civil Marriage Equality, Affirms Goodness in Lesbian/Gay Relationships
Austria’s top church official has defended civil marriage equality and affirmed there can be goodness in same-gender relationships, though maintained that the Church’s understanding of marriage remains heteronormative.
Archbishop’s Efforts for “Ex-Gay” Therapy Likely Exempted from State Ban on Torturous Practice
Efforts by Colorado’s top Church leader to implement “ex-gay” therapies in his diocese will likely be exempted from a pending statewide ban on the torturous practice. That leader has also come out strongly against other legislation which would expand LGBT sexual education in schools.
Church Officials in Germany Seemingly Defy Vatican, Will Accept Gay Men to Seminaries
In seeming defiance of a Vatican ban on gay men in the priesthood, German dioceses have announced they will accept candidates with homosexual orientations assuming these men remain celibate.
For Catholic Schools Week, Proposing a Simple Change that Could Save Transgender Lives
In 2019, Catholic educators should consider one simple step which could make a great impact in the safety and flourishing of transgender/gender non-conforming students.