Bondings 2.0

a daily blog of Catholic LGBTQ news, opinion, and spirituality

Lesbian Educator Comes Out At End of Twenty Year Career in Catholic Education

August 3, 2015/3 Comments/in Employment Issues, Schools & Youth /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

After nearly twenty years in Catholic education, Joan Grundy is coming out in her just released autobiography. In the book, A Deepening Life, she tells of being a lesbian employee in Canada's Catholic schools and shares the quiet ways she helped create change. Read More

Jamie Manson: Catholic Schools Must Say "No More" in Firing of LGBT Teachers

August 2, 2015/9 Comments/in Employment Issues, Schools & Youth /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

Firing LGBT teachers from Catholic schools must stop, says a National Catholic Reporter columnist, at the same time the Archdiocese of San Francisco's disputed teaching contracts near resolution. Below, there are also additional updates in the cases of several fired church workers. Read More

London Cardinal Urges Nationwide Expansion of LGBT Catholic Masses

August 1, 2015/5 Comments/in Hierarchy, Parish Life & Pastoral Care /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

Masses in London which offer an intentional welcome to the LGBT community should expanded across England in the views of London's Cardinal Vincent Nichols. Read More

Letter Asks Pope Francis to Encounter LGBT Catholics During U.S. Visit

July 31, 2015/7 Comments/in New Ways Ministry /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

A coalition of Catholic, LGBT, and Hispanic groups have invited Pope Francis to meet with LGBT Catholics during his U.S. visit in September, contrasting the exclusionary policies of the 2015 World Meeting of Families. Read More

Transgender Godparent-To-Be Calls Diocesan Rejection a "Kick in the Stomach"

July 30, 2015/3 Comments/in Marriage & Family, Parish Life & Pastoral Care /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

A transgender Catholic is not allowed to be a godparent, says a Spanish bishop, who further denied any discrimination in the case. Read More

Catholic Scouting's Response to BSA Policy Does Not Bode Well for Scouting

July 29, 2015/3 Comments/in Schools & Youth /by Francis DeBernardo, Editor

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS ) has responded to the decision by the... Read More

Bishops Down Under Offer Over-the-Top Rhetoric as Marriage Equality Approaches

July 28, 2015/6 Comments/in Hierarchy, Marriage & Family /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

Australia's political leaders are slowly moving towards marriage equality, prompted by successful developments in Ireland and then the United States, movement prompting aggressive action from the nation's Catholic bishops. Read More

Ireland's Top Bishop Meets with Gay Advocates, Withdraws Marriage Boycott Threat

July 27, 2015/2 Comments/in Hierarchy, Marriage & Family /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

Ireland's leading archbishop met with faith-based LGBT advocates last week, focusing in on his participation at the Synod of Bishops this fall but with Ireland's marriage referendum clearly in mind. Read More

Teacher Resigns Over San Francisco Contract Proposals Which California Lawmakers Are Investigating

July 25, 2015/3 Comments/in Employment Issues, Schools & Youth /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

Another teacher is leaving San Francisco's Catholic school system due to proposed contract changes targeting LGBT and ally employees, a resignation coming at the same time California's legislature holds hearings on the controversy. Read More

Historically Catholic Nations Lead on Transgender & Intersex Civil Rights

July 25, 2015/12 Comments/in Gender Identity, Politics & Human Rights /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

Transgender Italians can now self-declare their gender identity on official records following a court ruling, another sign of historically Catholic nations' increasing leadership in expanding rights for trans and intersex communities. Read More