Diocese of Springfield Archives

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

Massachusetts Bishop, Faithful Jointly Publish Call for Greater LGBTQ+ Inclusion

December 7, 2023/0 Comments/in Hierarchy, Marriage & Family, New Ways Ministry, Parish Life & Pastoral Care, Synod on Synodality /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

A Massachusetts bishop and Catholic LGBTQ+ advocates have co-authored a call for their diocesan church to be more inclusive, inviting the faithful to become involved. Read More

Catholic School Backtracks on Assurance that LGBTQ Teacher Would Not Be Fired

April 5, 2022/4 Comments/in Employment Issues, Schools & Youth /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

A church worker has claimed she was fired from a Catholic school over her same-gender marriage, even while she had been assured the marriage would not be a problem. Read More

Catholic Reform Groups Back Embattled Irish Priest Tony Flannery; And More News

December 12, 2020/2 Comments/in Arts, Books & Culture, Employment Issues, Gender Identity, Hierarchy, Politics & Human Rights, Theology & Church Teaching, Uncategorized /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

Today's post features news stories on Catholic reform groups' support for Fr. Tony Flannery, a new gay Catholic's appointment to the California Supreme Court, musician Gina Chavez speaking out on being queer and Catholic, and more. Read More

Catholics Pushback Against Bishop Paprocki’s Policy Against Transgender Church Workers, Students

February 15, 2020/3 Comments/in Employment Issues, Gender Identity, Gender Policies, Healthcare, Parish Life & Pastoral Care, Schools & Youth /by Melissa Feito

LGBTQ Catholics and allies are responding critically to a new transgender policy set by the Diocese of Springfield’s Bishop Thomas Paprocki. Read More

Jamie Manson: New Diocesan Policy ‘Puts Transgender Folks in Bishops’ Crosshairs’

February 14, 2020/3 Comments/in Employment Issues, Gender Identity, Gender Policies, Healthcare, Hierarchy, Parish Life & Pastoral Care, Schools & Youth, Theology & Church Teaching /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

National Catholic Reporter columnist Jamie Manson has responded to Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki's new anti-transgender policy by suggesting the bishops are putting "trans folks in their crosshairs." Read More

Bishop Paprocki Threatens Transgender Church Workers, Catholic School Students in New Policy

February 10, 2020/13 Comments/in Employment Issues, Gender Identity, Gender Policies, Healthcare, Hierarchy, Politics & Human Rights, Schools & Youth, Theology & Church Teaching, Uncategorized /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

A new policy in the Diocese of Springfield (Illinois) outlines the repressive approach to gender identity issues mandated by Bishop Thomas Paprocki, including threats against LGBTQ church workers and students in Catholic schools. Read More

Catholic School Admits It Withdrew Contract Over Teacher’s Same-Gender Engagement

August 31, 2019/3 Comments/in Employment Issues, Marriage & Family, Schools & Youth, Uncategorized /by Robert Shine, Managing Editor

A Catholic school that withdrew a new teacher's contract has acknowledged it did so because of the teacher's same-gender engagement, a move the local diocese has said was the "right decision." Read More