Tom Luce, 75, ordained Catholic priest 1963, graduate, Pontifical Gregorian University, North American College; celibate 13+ years; married 43 years (1970), 3 children, 3 grandchildren; publicly declared SGO 2000 in Vermont.
Hi,
Catholics--officials as well as regular members-- who wish to participate: SGO's (same gender oriented), allies, and those who want to reduce harm because of the Catholic church's teaching on homosexuality should get involved. The goal is to reduce harm through positive discerning for ways to do this, not to engage in debates about the rightness or wrongness of the teaching. Here is where SGO's assert their right to conscientious dissent within the context of communion in a 21st century framework and within their local dioceses. We expect to have to be pioneers.
In the history of religion we find an endless list of controversies--unfortunately too often bloodied by an anti-religious belief in war to settle differences with church officials participating. This "Least Harm" campaign for victims of brutality against homosexuals is centered within the Catholic church itself.
Over the centuries right up to the current day there are still people who believe in horrible consequences for supporting/embracing homosexuality. The teaching of the Catholic church still gives inspiration to such people even though there are official documents which encourage a loving approach to us. Still we are being defined as intrinsically disordered and committing grave sin if we engage in any same sex activity. In the Diocese of Oakland, as in many others, the only service on the website for LGBTQ people is "Courage",(click to go there) a psychological/mental health service designed to deal with our orientation under Catholic teaching., Here in California such service by licensed therapists--not clergy or lay counselors-- was just "outlawed" this summer for those under 18. But the law has been held up by a challenge. This is certainly part of our job in "least harm" to deal with such things.
We feel that to leave the church or accept excommunication is uncatholic. We do wholeheartedly respect, though, and support the many people from other denominations and organizations that do incorporate homosexuality as normal sexuality. Yours is a contribution to the final goal. Our goal now is to support now those Catholics who conscientiously support teaching that same gender love can be as sacred as heterosexual love in Catholic teaching.
We understand that this can still take centuries, but we want more than a "DADT" truce with our fellow-sister Catholics. We want to forge an alliance with those who do not accept our belief and find a way to stop the harm. Silence is no different from the medieval methods of torture and death. As MLK said, "in the end it is not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." Please join our dialog here on this page. Thanks!
Hi,
Catholics--officials as well as regular members-- who wish to participate: SGO's (same gender oriented), allies, and those who want to reduce harm because of the Catholic church's teaching on homosexuality should get involved. The goal is to reduce harm through positive discerning for ways to do this, not to engage in debates about the rightness or wrongness of the teaching. Here is where SGO's assert their right to conscientious dissent within the context of communion in a 21st century framework and within their local dioceses. We expect to have to be pioneers.
In the history of religion we find an endless list of controversies--unfortunately too often bloodied by an anti-religious belief in war to settle differences with church officials participating. This "Least Harm" campaign for victims of brutality against homosexuals is centered within the Catholic church itself.
Over the centuries right up to the current day there are still people who believe in horrible consequences for supporting/embracing homosexuality. The teaching of the Catholic church still gives inspiration to such people even though there are official documents which encourage a loving approach to us. Still we are being defined as intrinsically disordered and committing grave sin if we engage in any same sex activity. In the Diocese of Oakland, as in many others, the only service on the website for LGBTQ people is "Courage",(click to go there) a psychological/mental health service designed to deal with our orientation under Catholic teaching., Here in California such service by licensed therapists--not clergy or lay counselors-- was just "outlawed" this summer for those under 18. But the law has been held up by a challenge. This is certainly part of our job in "least harm" to deal with such things.
We feel that to leave the church or accept excommunication is uncatholic. We do wholeheartedly respect, though, and support the many people from other denominations and organizations that do incorporate homosexuality as normal sexuality. Yours is a contribution to the final goal. Our goal now is to support now those Catholics who conscientiously support teaching that same gender love can be as sacred as heterosexual love in Catholic teaching.
We understand that this can still take centuries, but we want more than a "DADT" truce with our fellow-sister Catholics. We want to forge an alliance with those who do not accept our belief and find a way to stop the harm. Silence is no different from the medieval methods of torture and death. As MLK said, "in the end it is not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." Please join our dialog here on this page. Thanks!