NEWS NOTES: Transgender Jesus Play Banned, Celebrating Pride in Malta, and More

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Pride celebrations last month were particularly joyful in Malta where same-gender marriages had become legalized September 1, 2017. Other news items concern an adoption lawsuit involving Catholic Charities and a banned play about transgender Jesus. Read more... Read More

CATHOLIC LGBT HISTORY: ‘You belong here. It’s about time somebody says that to you.’

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“Gays and lesbians are welcome in the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. “That’s the message the Most Rev. Walter F. Sullivan, the bishop of the diocese, brought yesterday to a gathering of 250 people at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart for what organizers said was the first official Mass for gays and lesbians in Richmond. ” ‘You belong here,’ Sullivan told the group. ‘It’s about time somebody says that to you.’ “ Read More

Is Pope Francis Trying to Revive John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body”?

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Has Pope Francis revived Pope John Paul II’s controversial “Theology of the Body” approach to sexual ethics, which is quite critical of LGBT identities and non-heteronormative family structures? One author says "Yes." Here's what that means. . . Read More

New Play About Fr. Mychal Judge Explores Intersection of Faith and Sexuality

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John Tranchitella is performing around the United States in My Will and My Life, a one-man play... Read More

Georgetown Students Organize Against Campus Anti-Equality Group

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Students at Georgetown University have begun organizing against an anti-LGBT campus group, which critics claim is intolerant and therefore should not receive University support. But censoring opposing voices is not the way for Catholic higher education to move forward. Here is the right way. . .  Read More

Diocese: Pastors Can Deny Funerals to Married Lesbian and Gay Catholics

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A second bishop in the U.S. has suggested Catholic funerals be denied to people in same-gender civil marriages, going so far as to suggest the deceased be remembered without being named at all. . . Read More

Catholic School Teacher Fired Over Same-Gender Engagement

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I have ruminated long and hard about raising my voice. I’ve considered outlets through which I could speak and I’ve considered silence. For a while, I favored silence, in that perhaps behind-the-scenes discussion could be possible if I didn't make a public deal out of leaving. Events of the past week have made it impossible for me to continue without a fight. Read More

Bishop: Diocese Would Be “Irreparably Damaged” If Unable to Fire Church Workers

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Bishop Peter Jugis of Charlotte made his remarks while being deposed in the federal court case of Lonnie Billard, who was fired from Charlotte Catholic High School in 2014 when his engagement to a man became public. Jugis said in the deposition that continuing to employ church workers who advocate against or violate "fundamental moral tenets" of church teaching would be a cause for "scandal." The Charlotte Observer reported further. . . Read More

Intimate Conviction Conference Examines Religion’s Role in Criminalization Laws

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Two weeks ago, I had the distinct honor of being a speaker at an international conference in Kingston, Jamaica, which focused on the role churches play in the enactment and repeal of laws that criminalize LGBT people.   I was the lone Roman Catholic among an impressive array of speakers from Anglican and Protestant churches from places like Canada, the United Kingdom, India, South Africa, Barbados, Jamaica, and many other nations that are or were part of the British Commonwealth.   Read More

Transgender Teen Sues Catholic Hospital for Discrimination

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A transgender teen is suing a Catholic hospital for allegedly denying him a surgery as part of his transition. This case is but the latest example that church-affiliated healthcare systems will increasingly have to deal with trans issues, with the question now being how will the hospitals respond? Read More