Will Sexual Orientation Derail Canonization for Fr. Mychal Judge?

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As regular readers of Bondings 2.0 may be aware, New Ways Ministry has launched a campaign to find people who knew Fr. Mychal Judge, OFM, the New York City Fire Department Chaplain who died in the World Trade Center Attacks on 9/11.  The purpose is finding such people is to assist a Vatican researcher who is exploring the canonization of this Franciscan priest who ministered to many marginalized communities, including LGBT Catholics. This campaign hit a little bump in the road last month . . . . Read More

Alberta’s Catholic Officals Can Improve Sexual Education Teaching, But Will They?

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Controversy is again erupting in Alberta over Catholic schools' handling of LGBT and other gender/sexuality issues, highlighting anew church officials' choice about whether Catholic education in the province is going to prioritize students' well-being or anti-LGBT ideology. . . 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

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

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

More Bishops Offer Support for Fr. James Martin’s LGBT Book

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More bishops have offered their support for Fr. James Martin, SJ's book on LGBT issues in the church, Building a Bridge, though not all episcopal reviews have been positive. Read More

Bishop Wants All Families Welcomed at International Catholic Gathering

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An Irish bishop has insisted that supports of marriage equality be included in the World Meeting of Families that will be held in Dublin next year. Here's what else he had to say. . . Read More

Gay Couples’ Love is “Like the Love of Friends,” Says Australian Bishop

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An Australian bishop has said same-gender couples' love is "like the love of friends" and compared their relationships to incestual relationship, all while weighing in as the nation's postal survey on marriage equality that continues through early November. . . Read More

Bishop Prohibits Blessing of Same-Gender Couple as Marriage Equality in Germany Goes Into Effect

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A bishop has barred the blessing of a same-gender equality just as marriage equality in Germany becomes effective October 1, but German Catholics, including some bishops, are advocating for those very blessings. . . Read More

More Bishops Offer Support for Fr. James Martin

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In the ongoing aftermath of right-wing attacks on Fr. James Martin, SJ,  because of his new book on LGBT issues in the church, three more Catholic bishops have made statements in support of the Jesuit. Read More