CPCSM - Related News

Twin Cities Justice and Peace Groups Honor Bishop Gumbleton
with Lifetime Achievement Award

Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton Aux. Bishop of Detroit, Retired

Lifetime Achievement Award for Justice and Peace (A close-up of the text of the award can be viewed here.)

Internationally renowned advocate for peace and justice, Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton, former auxiliary bishop of Detroit, now retired, was honored on June 29th by 100 justice and peace activists representing organizations from the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota. Convened by the Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities (CPCSM)--an independent Catholic lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) pastoral ministry and human rights advocacy group, the consortium included Call To Action Minnesota, Dignity Twin Cities, the Justice Commission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates, Inclusive Catholics, Twin Cities Peace Campaign – Focus on Iraq, Pax Christi Twin Cities, and the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP). Some of the groups are also affiliated with larger nationwide organizations.

Gumbleton had been invited by CPCSM for a book reading the previous evening at St. Martin’s Table, a Minneapolis bookstore, where, along with a group of writers who had contributed to the group’s newly published training manual for Catholic high school educators on creating safe environments for LGBT students, he had read his foreword to the book. Gumbleton’s visit to the Twin Cities proved also to be an opportunity for the presentation of the local peace and justice community’s award, given to him as a guest at a “Prayer Breakfast for Hope and Justice” (led by lay ministers at the Carondelet Center in St. Paul) the following morning.

Local progressive Catholics expressed the anger and sadness, shared by peace and justice activists throughout the world, over the unjust and unkind treatment Gumbleton had received in early 2006 from Vatican officials and from Cardinal Maida, the Archbishop of Detroit and his immediate superior. Although church law sets a mandatory retirement age of 75 for all bishops, exceptions are routinely made for those who are healthy enough to continue their ministries. Therefore, upon reaching his 75th birthday in 2005, Bishop Gumbleton did not submit a letter of resignation to the Vatican but instead wrote a letter asking to continue his work. Not only did the Vatican authorities refuse his request, but they demanded that he immediately retire voluntarily or face removal from his office. Additionally, Cardinal Maida announced his removal from his 23-year position as pastor of St. Leo’s, an impoverished inner-city Detroit parish, giving Gumbleton only one week's notice to bid farewell to his loyal and loving parishioners.

In the eyes of most progressive Catholics, the Vatican officials not only failed to acknowledge and express their gratitude for Gumbleton’s life-long commitment to the Church and to the Gospel, they chastened and humiliated this internationally renowned ambassador of peace and justice. Therefore, the organizers of the local award ceremony felt compelled to honor Bishop Gumbleton with a Lifelong Achievement Award for Justice and Peace. The award acknowledged Gumbleton for “his unwavering loyalty to our nonviolent God”; his “vision of a world free of poverty and hunger, war and oppression”; his “courageous recognition of the equality and human dignity of all persons, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or any other status”; and for his “life-long heroic commitment to bringing about peace by promoting justice”.

Also well known for his public support of LGBT persons’ human rights and pastoral needs in both the church and society, Gumbleton became one of the first members of the Catholic hierarchy to publicly denounce homophobia and discrimination towards LGBT persons. Despite pressure from the hierarchy, he has continued, in his writing and speaking, to call upon the hierarchy to fully embrace LGBT persons and their families and to acknowledge their giftedness. Gumbleton has acknowledged that stance on LGBT persons was the direct result of his brother Dan revealing his gayness to the family and his mother’s subsequent question about the brother’s spiritual salvation, which prompted Gumbleton to reexamine his pre-Vatican seminary training on LGBT persons.

In media reports Bishop Gumbleton has said that he believes the harsh treatment he received from the Vatican was primarily in retaliation for the lobbying he had done before the Ohio legislature in January 2006 in favor of a bill to extend the statute of limitations which would allow victims of sexual abuse to sue the church many years after they had been abused. In his testimony, Gumbleton revealed, for the first time, that he himself had been abused by a priest as a teenage seminarian and knew how hard it was to speak publicly even decades later. In spite of the Vatican's reaction to him, Gumbleton said that he does not regret his lobbying efforts "because it was the right thing to do".

One of Tom Gumbleton's first public speaking events on behalf of LGBT persons came in 1994 when CPCSM, organizing a consortium of progressive groups and parishes, invited him to the Twin Cities where he spoke at 5 different venues (College of St. Catherine, Pax Christi, St. Joan of Arc, St. Stephens of Anoka, and the Basilica). The high point of that trip was presiding at a liturgy of reconciliation at the Basilica, specifically for the local LGBT community. With a very large crowd in attendance, Bishop Gumbleton not only processed to the sanctuary wearing a "gay" miter decorated with a cross, a pink triangle, and rainbow colors (a gift to him from CPCSM in recognition of his ministry with LGBT persons), he remained for about two hours after the liturgy responding to those in attendance during an open-mike question-and-answer session.

In 1996, Bishop Gumbleton once again inspired us in the midst of our safe staff training efforts with local Catholic schools, when he was the keynote speaker at a prayer breakfast at the retreat center at Totino-Grace High School for local Catholic education administrators, teachers, and other school staff.  In 1997, CPCSM
named an award after him -- the Bishop Gumbleton Peace and Justice Award -- which is given periodically by the Board of CPCSM to a special person or group whose work on behalf of GLBT persons and their families reflects the same commitment to the Gospel call for peace and justice as exemplified by Bishop Gumbleton.

For more information about Tom Gumbleton's biography, his work with CPCSM, and the award named after him, see our web site link at: www.cpcsm.org/AboutUs_Awards.htm.

For more information about the Vatican's recent mistreatment of Bishop Gumbleton, see our CPCSM website at:  www.cpcsm.org/news.htm#GumbletonRemoved. 

Finally, for a sense of how much his parishioners at St. Leo's loved him and how much his work among them meant to him, check out the heart-warming, but saddening, 5-minute video at the following link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0j0PSIbXp0.

CPCSM'S ANNUAL COMMUNITY MEETING FEATURES
READINGS FROM NEW PUBLICATION AND AWARDS

Theresa O’Brien, CSJ; Bishop Thomas Gumbleton; and Myrna and Ron Ohmann were among the guests at CPCSM’s 2007 Annual Community Meeting, which took place on Thursday, June 28, at St. Martin’s Table Bookstore and Restaurant in Minneapolis.

Beginning with a wine and cheese reception, this year's CPCSM annual community meeting served as the official launching and celebration for CPCSM's recent publication, Creating Safe Environments for LGBT Students: A Catholic Schools Perspective, edited by Executive Coordinator Michael Bayly. To highlight the book, individuals who had contributed testimonials and reflections to the book were invited to read their own contributions.

Among the readers was retired Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit, who shared with the forty people in attendance the foreword that he had penned for the book. Other readers included Darlene White, the mother of a lesbian, Craig Barrett, a young gay man who had been part of the group of safe staff trainers whose work the new publication highlights, Jerry Kolbinger, a retired teacher from St. Bernard's High School in St. Paul who had completed the safe staff training prior to his retirement.

A compilation of the resources used by CPCSM in its safe-staff training with most of the Catholic high schools in the Twin Cities area, the manual is the first of its kind and represents CPCSM's primary work during the late 1990s.

Part of Bishop Gumbleton’s foreword reads as follows: “Prophetic words and deeds shine through this text. And like all prophetic words they speak of justice, inclusiveness, and a vision of the world that is bigger, more encompassing than the one we may be prepared to embrace. Yet the call remains. It rings forth from these pages – offering a catalyst for transformation.”

This year’s CPCSM Father Henry LeMay Pastoral Ministry Award was given to Catholic Rainbow Parents Myrna and Ron Ohmann for their “faithful, courageous, and loving efforts in promoting the full civil and ecclesial rights of LGBT persons.” For example, Myrna and Ron played a crucial role in the recent establishment of a support group for Catholic parents of LGBT persons in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Unfortunately, the 2007 recipient of CPCSM’s Bishop Gumbleton Peace and Justice Award was not able to be present at our Annual Community Meeting to receive his award. His identity will remain secret, as we hope to “surprise” him with his award at some point in the near future! Let’s hope it won’t take over a year to present him with his award – as was the case with Mike and Paula! (See fourth photo and commentary above.)

Another highpoint of the annual meeting was the presentation by CPCSM Board President Mary Lynn Murphy of the findings from the survey that she designed and distributed to members of the Catholic Rainbow Parents group who then passed the survey on to their LGBT children for completion.

 

Michael Bayly, CPCSM's Executive Coordinator, was the emcee for the evening, and walked the audience through CPCSM's new publication, introducing each person who did a reading from the book. (Ron Ohmann is also shown seated in the background.)	Mary Lynn Murphy, CPCSM President and mother of a gay son, who summarized findings from a survey that she had developed for young LGBT adults whose parents are members of the Catholic Rainbow Parents group; she alos read excerpts from the most articulate of the survey's respondents.
Darlene White and Paul Fleege, CPCSM's Treasurer, talk as they enjoy the evenings snacks and refreshments	Michael Bayly, the book's editor, autographs a copy for the Catholic woman priest Rev. Regina Nicolosi

 

Those Who Read Selections from CPCSM's Safe-Staff Training Manual

Craig Barrett , a former student of Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul who is gay and who was part of CPCSM's safe-staff training team.	Darlene White, the mother of a lesbian who attended Benilde-St. Margaret's in St. Louis Park, who along with husband Tom has been a very active member of CPCSM and many other progressive Catholic organizations and causes. The Whites have been excellent role models of grandparents of the children of LGBT persons, frequently babysitting their lesbian daughter's two children.
Jeanne Cornish, a staunch supporter of LGBT persons and a member of the leadership of Dignity Twin Cities	Jerry Kolbinger, a retired teacher from St. Bernard's High School in St. Paul, who received CPCSM's safe-staff training on his own time when the school's president refused to allow the training at St. Bernard's. Jerry read the letter, included in the manual, that he and another teacher at St. Bernard's wrote to their colleagues at the school, pointing out the need for the school to develop a safe-staff program and a safe environment for its LGBT students

CPCSM treasurer Paul Fleege (left) stands with CPCSM members Michael Douglas and Rick Notch at CPCSM’s Annual Community Meeting

The audience of CPCSM members and supporters, including Jeanne Cornish of Dignity Twin Cities in the foreground, at the annual meeting listen to the reading of selections from Creating Safe Environments for LGBT Students: A Catholic Schools Perspective.

More About the Book Including Reviews

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                                                                                   About St. Martin's Table
St. Martin's Table is an outreach ministry of the Community of St.Martin. It is a bookstore and restaurant open to the general public. St. Martin's Table strives to be a center for peacemaking and justice seeking. This focus springs from the Community's faith, centered in the life and teachings of Jesus, and so we seek to provide hospitality to all people in their journeys toward peace, justice and wholeness. To describe the Table, we use words Books, Food and Conversation.

The resources in the bookstore are chosen to reflect the values of the Community and staff -- values such as inclusiveness, nonviolence, justice and intentional care of creation.The food served is a celebration of God's gifts to us. To that end, St. Martin's Table serves vegetarian meals with an emphasis on locally grown and organic food. Volunteer servers not only contribute their time, but also contribute their tips to programs that alleviate hunger in the global community.Conversation takes place not only around the table at noon, but also during evening programs centered on peacemaking, justice issues and community-building through the arts. St. Martin's Table is also available for study, worship, fellowship and special events for the wider community.

Hours: Bookstore & bakery counter: Monday-Saturday, 10am-4pm.
Lunch Served: Monday-Saturday 11:00am-2:30 pm.

Thank you, St. Martin's Table for offering our Twin Cities community such radical hospitality and for being an inspiring and faithful example of what it really means to be a follower of the man from Galilee... .

SAINT MARTIN'S TABLE
2001 Riverside Avenue,
Minneapolis, MN 55454
612-339-3920

www.communityofstmartin.org/index.htm

CPCSM Coordinating Group for Inaugural
Prayer Breakfast for Hope and Justice

The inaugural Prayer Breakfast for Hope and Justice – Friday, June 29, 2007, at the Carondelet Center.

Moved by a growing concern about the protracted and ill-conceived war in Iraq and about the anticipated negative environment that incoming Archbishop John Nienstedt is likely to create for LGBT persons and other progressive Catholics in the archdiocese, CPCSM led a coalition of Twin Cities Catholic justice and peace groups – also including Call to Action Minnesota and Pax Christi Twin Cities – in organizing the first Prayer Breakfast for Hope and Justice on June 29th. The event brought together over 100 people in the Carondelet Center in St. Paul for a Eucharistic liturgy followed by a continental breakfast and a round-table discussion--the focus of which was on ways of finding and sustaining hope in the context of both the contemporary Catholic Church and wider society. Representatives from several Catholic parishes and organizations attended the Prayer Breakfast – an event which organizers hope in the future to offer three or four times a year to the Catholic community of St. Paul/Minneapolis.

One of those in attendance at the inaugural Prayer Breakfast for Hope and Justice was retired Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit, who is pictured above offering his thoughts and insights during the round table discussion time of the event.

At one point during the morning’s proceedings, Bishop Gumbleton was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Justice and Peace (see article above) by a coalition of groups, including CPCSM, Call To Action Minnesota, Dignity/Twin Cities, Justice Commission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates, Inclusive Catholics, Twin Cities Peace Campaign: Focus on Iraq, Pax Christi Twin Cities, and the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP).

Members of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church and with Bishop Tom Gumbleton (center, in black jacket) at the conclusion of the June 29 Prayer Breakfast for Hope and Justice.

 

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November 14, 2006

US Catholic Bishops Issue Regressive and Alienating
Statement on Ministry to Gay and Lesbian Persons

Document Does Not Reflect 'Good Science, Good Theology, or Human Reality'

Text of the Document: "Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines
for Pastoral Care" (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 11-14-06)


(From Rachel Zoll, Religion Editor, Associated Press, 11-14-06)

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The nation's Roman Catholic bishops adopted new guidelines for gay outreach Tuesday that are meant to be welcoming, while also telling gays to be celibate since the church considers their sexuality "disordered."

Gay Catholic activists said the approach was so contorted and flawed that it would alienate the very people it was trying to reach.

The statement, "Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination," was adopted by a 194-37 vote, with one abstention, at a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The bishops also overwhelmingly adopted separate statements encouraging Catholics to obey the church's widely ignored ban on artificial contraception, and directing parishioners to examine their consciences to decide if they are worthy of receiving Holy Communion.

Anyone who knowingly persists in sinful behavior, such as gay sex or using artificial birth control, should refrain from taking Communion, the bishops said.

"To be a Catholic is a challenge," said Bishop Arthur Serratelli of Paterson, N.J., chairman of the bishops' doctrine committee. "To be a Catholic requires a certain choice."

Presenting the gay ministry document at the meeting, Serratelli acknowledged that gay and lesbian Catholics "have a difficult task in this world, but this task is necessary and good."

"The tone of the document is positive, pastoral and welcoming," Serratelli said. "Its starting point is the intrinsic human dignity of every person and God's love for every person."

But gay Catholic groups thought the bishops' approach was flat-out wrong.

Francisco DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, an independent outreach to Catholic gays that has run afoul of some church leaders, said the guidelines "do not reflect good science, good theology or human reality."

"This document proposes that lesbian and gay people be viewed not in the entirety of their lives, but in one dimension only - the sexual dimension," DeBernardo said. "No other group in the church is singled out in this way."

The guidelines condemn discrimination against gays and say it's not a sin to be attracted to someone of the same sex - only to act on those feelings.

The bishops also underscore Catholic opposition to gay marriage and adoption by gay and lesbian couples, but also say children of gay Catholics can be baptized if they are being raised in the faith.

Under the guidelines, parishes are instructed to help Catholics avoid "the lifestyle and values of a 'gay subculture.'" Gays also are discouraged from telling anyone about their sexual orientation outside a close circle of friends and supporters in the church.

On the subject of therapy to change same-sex attraction, the bishops said there is no scientific consensus on whether it can succeed. But church leaders say gays are free to seek counseling to help them live a chaste life.

Sam Sinnett, president of DignityUSA, an advocacy group for gay Catholics, said the document is damaging because it recommends that gays "stay emotionally and spiritually in the closet."

(For more details, see coverage from Catholic News Service, 11-15-06)

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Editorials from Our Executive Coordinator
Michael J. Bayly, MA

Be Not Afraid: You Can Be Happy and Gay
by Michael Bayly, MA
(from The Wild Reed: Thoughts and Reflections from a
Progressive, Gay Catholic Perspective, November 16, 2006)

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When 'Guidelines' Lack Guidance
by Michael Bayly, MA
(from The Wild Reed: Thoughts and Reflections from a
Progressive, Gay Catholic Perspective, November 15, 2006)

 

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CPCSM's Year in Review
2005 - 2006

 

In July 2005, CPCSM president Mary Lynn Murphy coordinated the gathering of members and friends of CPCSM who were also parents of GLBT persons, so as to form Catholic Rainbow Parents. The launching of this new group was accompanied by the release of the Catholic Rainbow Parents' Declaration - a pastoral statement of wisdom, love, and support for GLBT persons and their families. In 2006, the group released a second statement entitled Catholic Rainbow Parents for Constitutional Integrity.

On October 12, 2005, Catholic Rainbow Parents held a "Ritual of Affirmation and Sending Forth" on the steps of the St. Paul Cathedral. The event culminated in the sending of copies of the Catholic Rainbow Parents' Declaration to both the Vatican and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

In October 2005, CPCSM and Catholic Rainbow Parents initiated efforts to protest the Pastors' Summit - an event aimed at encouraging religious leaders to support the proposed Minnesota marriage amendment banning same-gender marriage and all legal equivalents. We formed a coalition entitled People of Faith for Equal Civil Marriage Rights and organized a rally on November 10 outside the summit's venue, Grace Church in Eden Prairie. Our organizing efforts involved collaborating with an ecumenically diverse group of individuals and faith communities dedicated to defeating the proposed amendment. From this proactive and ecumenical dialogue and action emerged the Faith Family Fairness Alliance, of which CPCSM and Catholic Rainbow Parents are members. The TogetherMinnesota! campaign also cites the CPCSM-lead response to the Pastors' Summit as its official starting point.

Bill Kummer with "Skipper" March 23, 1950 - January 29, 2006

Many were saddened by the passing of CPCSM co-founder Bill Kummer on January 29. Bill was a compassionate and prophetic figure within the Catholic community and beyond. He was also a source of strength and inspiration for many. Bill always maintained that he would continue his work on the other side of this life. And many of us indeed believe this to be true. His spirit lives on among us.

Gary Schoener, internationally renowned expert on clergy sexual abuse delivered an insightful presentation February 10, 2006, in which he emphasized seldom reported facts concerning the Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal --including the range of victims, the different types of abusers, and the impact of the abuse on the victims and their families. Gary also explored the scape-goating of gay priests and the implications of the sex abuse scandal for the future of the institutional church.

Timed to coincide with the World Marriage Day celebration, on February 12, 2006, close to 300 people (above) -- including former CPCSM treasurer Roger Urbanski (right) -- gathered on the steps of the St. Paul Cathedral to call upon Archbishop Flynn to withdraw his support of the Minnesota marriage amendment. (See below for more details about this rally.)

On February 17-18, feminist theologian Mary Hunt shared her insights on a range of issues within the Catholic Church via two CPCSM-sponsored presentations at St. Joan of Arc Church. One of these had the relevant title of "Catholic Is As Catholic Does: Strategies for Being Church in Challenging Times." Pictured with Mary are Linda Taylor, CSJ, and Darlene White.

Our March 20, 2006 event at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, entitled "Putting a Human Face to the Marriage Amendment Issue," drew a record crowd for a CPCSM educational event. Pictured from left: Bill Nolan (St. Thomas the Apostle); John Watkins and his partner Andrew Elfenben and their son, Dmitri; Carol Anderson and her partner Kathy Itzin; Michael Bayly (CPCSM executive coordinator); and Susan Lee (St. Thomas the Apostle).

The inaugural Bill Kummer Forum on April 28-29, 2006 featured renowned theologian and author Daniel Helminiak, who offered a two-part presentation entitled "Gay Body, Gay Soul: A Catholic LGBTI Perspective on Sexuality, Spirituality and Marriage." Pictured from left: Rev. Paul Tucker (All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church), Daniel Helminiak, Paul Fleege (CPCSM treasurer), David McCaffrey (CPCSM co-founder), and Michael Bayly (CPCSM executive coordinator)

CPCSM Annual Community Meeting

A Great Success

Photo: David J. McCaffrey

Linda Taylor, CSJ, (left) and Jacob Reitan display the awards they received at this year's CPCSM Annual Community Meeting. Linda and Fr. Mike Tegeder (who was not able to be present), were the recipients of this year's Father Henry F. LeMay Award, while Jacob and Paula Ruddy (also unable to attend) received the 2006 Bishop Gumbleton Peace and Justice Award. See the following link to see copies of this years Gumbleton and LeMay Awards.

On May 8th, with about 50 people in attendance -- including a group of about 10 young adults who have GLBT siblings, this year's CPCSM Annual Community Meeting was a great success. The evening's high point was a very impassioned keynote presentation, given by Jacob Reitan, founder and co-director of the Soulforce Equality Ride. Jacob spoke of the history of the Ride and many of
its highlights, Reminiscent of the Freedom Rides of the 1960s, the Equality Ride was an inspiring event which earlier this year had taken 32 young adults (including Jake) on a seven-week bus tour from New York to Los Angeles to confront nineteen religious schools and military academies that
ban the enrollment of GLBT students.

The Ride's journey was unique, as never before have young activists banded together to challenge homophobia at many of the major educational institutions responsible for much of today's GLBT discrimination - places where intolerance toward GLBT persons is taught to and nurtured among future generations of church and society's leaders.of which he was the founder and co-director.

Jacob and two other members of the Ride who were in attendance, including the other co-director, Haven Harrin, also spoke of the group's future hopes and responded to many questions from a very interested and inquistive audience.

Also known locally for his Faith In Action column in the Lavender magazine, Jake Reitan is an organizer with Soulforce, a nationwide non-profit organization dedicated to liberating LGBT people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance as taught by Gandhi and the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Photo: David J. McCaffrey

Pictured with awardees Linda Taylor, CSJ, and Jacob Reitan are the following: (Back row, l to r): Michael Bayly, CPCSM Executive Coordinator; Jarrett Lucas, Equality Rider; Bill Hunt, past CPCSM president; Haven Harrin, Equality Ride Co-Director; (In front, l to r): Mary Lynn Murphy, CPCSM Board President, and Lisa Nilles, CPCSM member.

Photo: David J. McCaffrey

The 50 members and supporters who attended CPCSM's Annual Community Meeting on May 8, 2006, listen intently and with great interest as keynoter Jacob Reitan, at the podium, describes the highlights of the historic Soulforce Equality Ride, of which he was the founder and co-director.

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175 Protesters Rally on Steps of Cathedral
to Demand Archbishop Cease
Support of Marriage Amendment

On World Marriage Day (WMD), following the Noon Mass on Sunday, February 12th, almost 200 Catholics who oppose the proposed "Marriage Amendment," expected to be considered at the upcoming session of the Minnesota State Legislature, braved near-0 degree-wind-chill temperatures to gather on the front steps of the St. Paul Cathedral to express their outrage to Archbishop Flynn and the other Minnesota bishops. The group's message to the bishops -- expressed in public statements, songs, and chants -- was clear: stop actively supporting the amendment and stop politicizing Minnesota's Hierarchy and violating the Constitution's guaranteed separation of church and state protections by urging parishioners to mail postcards, distributed in church, that urge their legislators to vote for the amendment. (See statement below.)       [Photo Gallery]

The rally was organized and sponsored by Catholics for Equality, a newly formed group that is an ad hoc blending of a core group of concerned progressive Catholic lay persons active in a number of local parishes, with CPCSM, Catholic Rainbow Parents, and Dignity/Twin Cities, that was formed to express its outrage with the position and actions taken by the Minnesotal Catholic Bishops in actively endorsing and advocating the "Marriage Amendment" and to work against the amendment.

During the annual WMD liturgy that preceded the rally, another protest -- quieter and more subdued, which had been begun and reprised by Brian McNeill and his partner and some other Dignity/Twin City members over the past four years on WMD -- took place inside the Cathedral.

For this year's protest, pairs of same-sex relationship partners, who wore rainbow arm bands, also stood up when the Archbishop asked groups of opposite-sex married couples to stand up as he listed 5-year intervals of marriage (i.e., 0-5, 6-10 years,etc.), up to the longest married couples in attendance. Also, when the Archbishop asked the married opposite-sex couples to face each other and repeat their marriage vows aloud, the same-sex couples did the same.

The message of the liturgical protest -- that the Church must also make room at its table for Catholics in same-sex couples in committed relationships, if it is to be true to the Gospel -- was once again clearly sent at the Archbishop's annual Mass for married Catholics.

Some other protest moments took place during the distribution of Holy Communion when some of the ministers refused the Eucharist to anyone, GLBT or hetero supporters, wearing the rainbow arm bands while other ministers, including the Archbishop, did not refuse the Eucharist to the arm band wearers. A few harsh words were heard from one of the Eucharistic ministers to the protesters attempting to receive communion at the rear of the church.

An angry, middle-aged male parishioners, who used a disrepectful sexual epithet to address one of the mothers of a gay man who was wearing a rainbow arm band, was scolded by a lay member of the Cathedral staff, who apologized to the protester and asked her to call her at the church office to discuss the matter further if she felt the need.

Outside, prior to the Mass, a few parishioners entering the cathedral asked why the protesters were bringing politics into the Mass, to which protesters quickly replied that they were only there at the Mass in reaction to the Archbishop who first politicized his office and the local Archdiocese. This politicization began when Archbishop Flynn, along with the other bishops in the Minnesota Catholic Conference issued their statement on December 22, 2005, in support of the Marriage Amendment. In their statement, the Minnesota bishops also first announced the postcard campaign in which each parish would be encouraged to participate.

The Archbishop then followed up on the bishops' statement in his first column of the year in the Catholic Spirit, which began by displaying a copy of a postcard to be mailed to legislators. In addition, the official web site of the Archdiocese has numerous other pro-marriage-amendment resources for learning about the amendment and for taking actions in supporting it.

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Let us all continue to work and pray for social justice and civil rights for ourselves, for our families, and for all people throughout the world!

. . . "Gay and lesbian people have families, and their families should have legal protections, whether by marriage or civil union. A constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages is a form of gay bashing, and it would do nothing at all to protect traditional marriages." . . .Coretta Scott King
Speech given at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
March 24, 2004

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A Prayer for Peace and Justice

This Justice Candle will keep burning until justice is achieved for God's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered children.

"The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness cannot overcome it."

(Click here to find out how to obtain your own Justice Candle.)