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

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

New Ways Ministry: Blessings Guidance ‘Significantly Advances’ Pope’s LGBTQ+ Affirmation

Though the Vatican’s latest statement about same-gender couples does not provide a full-fledged, ringing endorsement of blessing their unions, the document significantly advances Pope Francis’ work to include and affirm LGBTQ+ people. Read More

Bondings 2.0 Heads to Rome for the Synod!

A week from today, Bondings 2.0 editor Francis DeBernardo and I will begin reporting live from Rome on the  Synod on Synodality' first global assembly. Throughout this multi-year process, LGBTQ+ issues have been a recurring priority for the people of God. Read More

Join New Ways Ministry’s Webinar with Fr. James Martin on “The Synod and LGBTQ+ Issues”

New Ways Ministry invites you to "The Synod and LGBTQ+ Issues: A Conversation with Fr. James Martin, S.J.," which will be held on Zoom on Thursday, September 14, 2023 from 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. Eastern U.S. Time. Read More

LGBT+ Group Celebrates 50 Years “From Banishment to a Blessing” By Pope Francis

A Catholic LGBTQ+ group in England, once sidelined by church officials, celebrated its fiftieth anniversary last month, which include a message of congratulations from Pope Francis. Read More

New Book Offers “New Ways and Next Steps” for LGBTQ+ Parish Ministry

A new book to help Catholic parishes develop LGBTQ+ ministry is being published in September 2023 by Liturgical Press, a leading Catholic publishing house. The author is Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry's executive director. Read More

New Ways Ministry: Pope Francis’ Transgender Welcome a Good Sign, and More Must Be Done

Pope Francis’ recent comment to a transgender person that “God loves us as we are” is a grand sign of welcome to LGBTQ+ people, particularly to transgender and nonbinary people. Read More

How Are Synod Assembly Participants on LGBTQ+ Issues? — Part III

Today's post concludes our series highlighting some of the more LGBTQ-positive participants in this October's assembly for the Synod on Synodality, as the process is informally known. Read More

How Are Synod Assembly Participants on LGBTQ+ Issues? — Part II

Yesterday, Bondings 2.0 announced New Ways Ministry's new resource that details what participants in the upcoming Synod assembly in October have said or done when it comes to LGBTQ+ issues. Today, a second batch of participants has been added to that resource. Read More