Many of the recent articles on Archbishop Chaput’s appointment to head the Philadelphia Archdiocese have noted his adherence to official Catholic doctrine on homosexuality. This is raising tremendous anxiety among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Catholics in the Philadelphia area, which has earned a reputation as being very supportive and welcoming of our community.
LGBT Catholics and our families have much to offer to our church. Many of us have persisted in our faith despite often-hurtful interpretations of church teaching because we are profoundly committed to the Gospel of Jesus and to the sacraments’ importance in our daily lives. We have made a positive choice to uphold the central values of Catholicism, and to celebrate the blessings we believe we have due to our sexual orientation or gender identity, or that of our children, siblings or parents. Our journeys to know ourselves and to live with integrity have led us into a deeper relationship with God.
However, many LGBT Catholics have already decided that the Catholic Church is not a place where they can find spiritual support, or even feel safe. The appointment of a leader who is seen as having denied appropriate pastoral care to the gay community in Denver further distances these people from the church of their baptism, and makes those of us who remain apprehensive about whether we are truly valued by Catholic officials.
We urge our incoming bishop to reach out to the LGBT Catholic community soon upon his arrival in Philadelphia, so that we can have open and honest discussion about both the needs and the gifts we bring to the church. We seek a church where there can be dialogue among people with different perspectives, and where we can all share the lord’s table. We believe we share this goal with our incoming archbishop.
— Joanne Collins
President, Dignity/Philadelphia
In response to “New antigay leadership for Archdiocese,” July 22-28:
“What fools these mortals be.” Here, the “Church,” by way of the new archbishop, has the opportunity to brainwash the children of the gay couple into believing and living as members in good standing with Catholic teachings; with the hope that some of it would rub off onto the “sinful parents.” But, no, he blew it.
Who was it, again, that said, “Suffer thou shalt bring small children to me?”
— Jerry6
The Catholic Church needs to stay out of politics. However, the LGBT community in Philadelphia will just ignore these one-sided teachings and let this new archbishop spread his venom.
— Mark Networth
In response to “Catholic hardliners,” July 22-28:
The PGN continues to demonstrate its lack of integrity and hypocrisy by focusing exclusively on the sins of the Catholic Church while supporting the cover-ups, lack of services and lack of justice to the most vulnerable within the Jewish community: the children, especially the young boys who fall victim to the predatory patriarchy.
Jewish faith-based organizations effectively control information, manipulate the politician and justice system (supported with government money) and cover up the crimes of child rapists.
They keep records for their own community, but the rabbis and others have molested gentile children as well. Since the community fails to notify the police, we are all at risk.
PGN, we await your response and reporting. Thank you.
— Jay (survivor)