Press Release

Vatican Statement Denying Blessings to Same-Sex Couples “Exacerbates Pain and Anger” for Gay Catholics says DignityUSA

March 15, 2021 - DignityUSA, the organization of Catholics working for justice, equality, and full inclusion of LGBTQI people in the church and society, is deeply disappointed by the Vatican’s statement unequivocally denying blessings to same-sex couples. It says the statement that God “does not and cannot bless sin” is pastorally harmful and will widen the wedge between Catholics and church leadership.

Catholic Women’s Groups Issue Letter to Voters for Justice

Call for a New Era of Equality
August 18, 2020

Fifteen leading organizations headed by “progressive feminist Catholics” have issued an Open Letter to Catholic Voters and All Voters for Justice, calling on voters to “stem the tide of injustice and usher in a new era of equality.” They say the letter responds to “[t]he need for action beyond words” given current national and international concerns.

Catholic Reform Organizations Issue Advice to Bishops Before Abuse Summit

As the Vatican’s summit on sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy gets underway, leaders of 12 U.S. Catholic reform organizations have issued their advice to the bishops who will participate. In a letter sent to Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, one of four organizers of the meeting, the leaders acknowledged the “pain and disappointment” the abuse and cover up have caused for Catholics, and called on the bishops “to truly address globally what is broken, restore the trust of Catholics and give comfort and justice to those who have survived abuse.”

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.”