Synod on Synodality Archives - New Ways Ministry

Gender Identity Should Be on Synod Agenda—And It Is Now, Writes Paul Elie

April 15, 2024/2 Comments/in Dignitas Infinita, Gender Identity, Gender Policies, Healthcare, Hierarchy, Marriage & Family, Parish Life & Pastoral Care, Pope Francis, Same-Gender Blessings, Synod on Synodality, Theology & Church Teaching /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

Criticism and commentary about Dignitas Infinita, the Vatican's transgender-negative declaration on human dignity, has continued steadily in the week since the document's release. Today's post features insights from Paul Elie, a senior fellow at Georgetown University, who published his criticisms in The New Yorker. Read More

“A Painful Lack of Understanding”: Theologians Respond to Vatican’s Latest Declaration

April 11, 2024/10 Comments/in Anti-LGBTQ Criminalization, Dignitas Infinita, Gender Identity, Gender Policies, Healthcare, Marriage & Family, Parish Life & Pastoral Care, Politics & Human Rights, Synod on Synodality, Theology & Church Teaching /by Brian Flanagan

"Fundamentally unserious," "not just insulting, devastating," and "a painful lack of understanding." These are some Catholic theologians' appraisals of Dignitas Infinita, the Vatican document on human dignity released Monday that condemns “gender theory” and “sex change," appraisals featured in today's post. Read More

Mother of Transgender Child Writes to Pope Francis: “Stop Putting Limits on God’s Love!”

April 4, 2024/16 Comments/in Gender Identity, Gender Policies, Hierarchy, Marriage & Family, Parish Life & Pastoral Care, Personal Stories, Pope Francis, Schools & Youth, Synod on Synodality, Theology & Church Teaching, Uncategorized /by Guest Contributor

I humbly ask you, Pope Francis, and all Church leaders to re-examine Catholic doctrine about the LGBTQ+ community. We must stop putting limits on God’s love and divinity. Read More

LGBTQ+ Issues May Not Be on the Synod’s Agenda This October. I Still Have Hope.

March 27, 2024/2 Comments/in Gender Identity, Hierarchy, Marriage & Family, Parish Life & Pastoral Care, Pope Francis, Same-Gender Blessings, Synod on Synodality, Theology & Church Teaching /by Brian Flanagan

What big decisions are going to come out of the Synod on Synodality's General Assembly at the Vatican in October, especially decisions related to LGBTQ+ Catholics? Recently, we got a pretty clear answer. Read More

Our Journey with the Bishop of Springfield Toward LGBTQ+ Welcoming

March 21, 2024/0 Comments/in Hierarchy, Parish Life & Pastoral Care, Personal Stories, Synod on Synodality, Uncategorized /by Guest Contributor

We are in one of the most gay-friendly areas in the Northeast, but how were we to get our Catholic churches to do some outreach? Read More

Next Week: Join LGBTQ+ Spiritual Conversations for the Synod!

March 16, 2024/0 Comments/in New Ways Ministry, Parish Life & Pastoral Care, Synod on Synodality /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

In preparation for the Synod on Synodality’s conclusion this October, New Ways Ministry is hosting a “Conversations in the Spirit” gathering for LGBTQ+ people and allies. All are invited to participate! Read More

Pope Francis: Same-Gender Couples “Live the Gift of Love” and Deserve Protection

March 15, 2024/4 Comments/in Arts, Books & Culture, Marriage & Family, Parish Life & Pastoral Care, Pope Francis, Same-Gender Blessings, Synod on Synodality, Theology & Church Teaching, Uncategorized /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

Pope Francis has reaffirmed his support for same-gender civil unions, writing that such couples "who live the gift of love an have legal coverage like everyone else." He made other LGBTQ-positive remarks as he marks eleven years as pope. Read More

Key Synod Official Endorses Queer Blessings; And More Updates

March 14, 2024/0 Comments/in Hierarchy, Marriage & Family, Parish Life & Pastoral Care, Same-Gender Blessings, Synod on Synodality, Theology & Church Teaching, Uncategorized /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

A top cardinal who plays a central role in the Synod has voiced his support for Fiducia Supplicans, the Vatican declaration allowing blessings for same-gender couples. Today's post features that news and other developments related to blessings. Read More