Is the Church a “Family”?
The point of this grim litany is to suggest that the metaphors of “home” and “family” cannot be innocently invoked by a Church that seeks to welcome LGBTQ people. Read More
Why I Have Mixed Feelings About the Synod’s “Letter to the People of God”
The Synod’s General Assembly released the first of two anticipated documents yesterday. The text signals that calls for an inclusive church have been heard, though offers few concrete proposals. Read More
Imagining the Feminist and LGBTQ-Affirming Sacramentality of a Synodal Church
My image of a synodal church, however distant it may be, includes women preaching and ministering the Gospel during the blessing of LGBTQ marriage. Read More
Just What Does ‘Homophobia Must Be Rejected’ Actually Mean?
If this assembly’s final synthesis can only come up with an agreement that all homophobia must be rejected, it must have a good definition of what the assembly means by homophobia. Read More
Diocese of Davenport’s New LGBTQ+ Guidelines Model Synodality in Action
The Diocese of Davenport's new guidelines on LGBTQ+ pastoral care are "strikingly positive," and could possibly "shift the trend of transgender-negative diocesan policies in the U.S.," contends Robert Shine, associate director of New Ways Ministry. Read More
Gender and Sexuality Affect Every Person. The Synod Must Address This Reality.
Gender and sexuality must be taken up by the church universal in a more enlightened, substantive, dialogical way. The Synod assembly risks failure if it avoids full examinations of such core questions. Read More
Cardinal: God Will Provide Synod Direction on LGBTQ+ Issues
If the LGBT issue is raised, "then the Lord himself, through collective discernment, will tell us that for this topic, you need to follow this direction." Read More
Davenport Diocese Releases Positive Framework for LGBTQ+ Pastoral Care
The Diocese of Davenport has released a new framework on LGBTQ+ pastoral care, specifically about gender identity issues, that charts a new direction for such policies in the U.S. Read More
As the Synod Begins, The Walls Come Tumbling Down
If anyone worried that LGBTQ+ issues were going to get short shrift in synod discussions, that does not seem to be the case. Read More
Bishop John Stowe: Blessing LGBTQ+ Couples “Almost Signifies God’s Approval”
Last Monday, the Vatican released a document from Pope Francis in which he expressed an openness to church blessings for same-gender couples. A number of Catholic leaders have responded positively, including Lexington's Bishop John Stowe. Read More