Saturday, March 13, 1999
Catholic ministry for gays proposed
'We hope to break down the bias'
BY CINDY KRANZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati announced Friday it would launch a new ministry to reach out to gays, lesbians and their families.
The Catholic Ministry with Gays and Lesbians joins more than 30 similar programs established in Catholic dioceses and archdioceses across the country.
“What we hope for is a greater understanding of the church and its compassion toward all of God's children,” said Peg Black, director of the archdiocese's Family Life Office, which will oversee the ministry.
“We hope to break down some of the bias out there and help people recognize the church is a godly church. The church really practices the teaching of Jesus Christ to reach out compassionately.”
SERVICES
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• What: Archdiocese of Cincinnati Catholic Ministry with Gays and Lesbians prayer services.
• When: 7:30 p.m.
• Where: April 8, St. John Neumann Church, 12191 Mill Road, Pleasant Run; April 14, St. Peter Church, Huber Heights; April 21, Holy Redeemer Church, New Bremen.
• Information: 421-3131.
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The ministry could take many forms, Mrs. Black said, including prayer groups, days of prayer and reflection, support groups, educational programs and providing resources. It also will work to eliminate discrimination and support inclusion.
“This is great that they're doing this,” said Lycette Nelson, executive director of Stonewall Cincinnati, which seeks to end discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people.
“I'm happy to see that the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is taking a step, especially that they're mentioning working to eliminate bias and supporting inclusion,” she said. “If a lot of churches start from inclusion of all members and recognition of them as people and recognition of discrimination as discrimination, that's a huge step.”
It is good that the church is reaching out to offer help and support to gays and their families, said Lisa Bastian, an outspoken conservative Catholic who was once an assistant editor at the St. Anthony Messenger and is now a public relations consultant. “I support any group that would heal the pain, within authentic Catholic teachings,” Ms. Bastian said.
But the ministry must walk a fine line, she said, adding that the archdiocese must be careful not to let the ministry and its support efforts become an advocacy group countering church teachings.
The Most Rev. Daniel E. Pilarczyk, archbishop of Cincinnati, will inaugurate the ministry at three prayer services in the archdiocese in April.
Groundwork for the ministry was laid last fall when the National Conference of Catholic Bishops published a document, “Always Our Children.”
“It encouraged parents to continue to love their children, despite their homosexual orientation,” Mrs. Black said of the document. “It was not just directed at parents, but ministers of the church to reach out in compassion and support.”
The archdiocese held workshops to explain the document, and Catholics discussed how to respond locally.
“From that came a very strong need for some kind of spiritual support, compassion and outreach for families of gays and lesbians, and gays and lesbians themselves,” Mrs. Black said.
A task force recommended the archdiocese start a Catholic ministry. While reaching out to gays and lesbians, the archdiocese will remain true to church teachings that the only acceptable sex is that between heterosexual married couples.
“What we hope to do is offer spiritual nourishment and support, especially for the parents,” Mrs. Black said. “We certainly don't intend to go against the teachings of the church in any way, shape or form.”
Phillip Pina contributed to this story.
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