Press Release

Pope Francis Again Demonstrates Dangerous Ignorance About Gay Sexuality; Remarks About Gay Priests Perpetuate Damaging and Discredited Stereotypes

Boston, MA, December 3, 2018. DignityUSA, the world’s oldest and largest organization of Catholics committed to justice, equality, and full inclusion of LGBTQI people in the church and society, expressed its deep concern about reported passages in Pope Francis’ new book, saying they reveal a profound ignorance of human sexuality, perpetuate long-disproved myths about lesbian and gay people, and promote discrimination and violence against LGBTQI people around the world. Pope Francis is quoted in recent news reports as saying that gay people should not apply for or be admitted to the Catholic priesthood or religious communities because “in consecrated and priestly life, there is no room for that kind of affection.” He also reportedly wrote, “In our societies it even seems that homosexuality is fashionable and that mentality, in some way, also influences the life of the church.”

Bishop Paprocki’s Policy on Same-Sex Marriage Is Mean-Spirited and Unchristian in the Extreme, say Activists.

“This is Why LGBTQI Catholics and Families Feel Unwelcome in Our Church.”

June 21, 2017. Boston, MA.  Leaders of DignityUSA, the organization of Catholics committed to justice, equality and full inclusion of LGBTQI Catholics in the Church and society, decry the “Decree Regarding Same-Sex ‘Marriage’ and Related Pastoral Issues” recently promulgated by Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois. The Decree outlines policies for all Catholic institutions in the Diocese when dealing with people in same-sex marriages.

New Vatican Document Forbidding Gay Priests “Damaging,” Says Gay Catholic Group

The Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy is releasing a new document (dated December 8, 2016) entitled “The Gift of the Priestly Vocation,” which is a set of guidelines for priestly formation. The document notes, “The Holy Father Francis has approved the present General Executive Decree and has ordered its publication.”

LGBT Catholics welcome statement of Pope Francis

Boston, MA. June 26, 2016--Leaders of DignityUSA, the organization of LGBTQ Catholics and allies committed to equality and justice for LGBTQ people, welcomed the statement of Pope Francis today that the Church must apologize to gay people and to other groups that it has let down or offended throughout history.  The Pope’s comments echoed similar remarks made last week by one of his closest advisors, Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Germany.

Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love) Offers No Joy to LGBT Catholics, Families

 

April 8, 2016, Boston, MA. Pope Francis’ long-anticipated response to two sessions of a world-wide Synod on the Family, an Apostolic Exhortation entitled “Amoris Laetitia” (The Joy of Love), is a tremendous disappointment to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Catholics and their families, says DignityUSA, a leading organization of Catholics committed to LGBT equality.