Report on New Ways Ministry's Fifth National Symposium (March 8-10), Out of Silence God Has Called Us: Lesbian/Gay Issues and the Vatican II Church


by Baya Clare, CSJ
CPCSM's Office Coordinator

Last weekend Susan Hames and I (and two other CSJs, Linda Taylor and Ruth Brooker,) attended NWM's 5th National Symposium in Louisville, Kentucky, which was held in conjunction with the first national Catholic Parents Network conference. For three packed days, about 600 people from 41 states and several foreign countries came together to hear a variety of presenters, from bishops to psychologists to historians and theologians. Plenary speakers for the Symposium included Edwina Gateley, Eugene Kennedy, Rosemary Haughton, Gregory Baum and Bishops Thomas Gumbleton and Leroy Mathiesen.

Breakout sessions included presentations on same-sex relationships in
history by Bernadette Brooten, lesbian women in religious life by Janet
Rozzano, RSM, and challenging heterosexism in parishes by Helen Deines among others. On Saturday afternoon we celebrated Eucharist at the hotel with Bishop Mathiesen presiding. (Appended at the end of this are four print media articles about the conference and the eucharistic celebration.)

CPCSM was listed in a Book of Memories commemorating NWM's 25th anniversary; our founding was a significant milestone in GLBT pastoral ministry in the church. There was much interest in our Safe Staff Training Manual, and Susan collected the names and addresses of several people who are interested in seeing it when it is available.

We purchased some books and tapes for our resource room, including audio tapes of many of the conference sessions. The books and most of the tapes are being mailed to us, but the conference program is available in the office now.

At the end of the conference, NWM issued a statement entitled,
"Lesbian/Gay Ministry in the Catholic Church: A Vision for the Future." It includes a request that the USCCB initiate a serious and sustained national dialogue with gay and lesbian people. (The statement can also be found at www.NewWaysMinistry.org.)

It also calls on diocesan and pastoral leaders to develop ministry programs with gay and lesbian people and their families; asks theologians and scholars to devote time and study to the ethics of same-sex relationships; and requests that religious educators, teachers and textbook publishers develop programs and materials that reflect accurate images of gay and lesbian people.

It concludes with a prayer that "all Catholics and people of good will respect and celebrate the diversity of people with which God has blessed us...[and] reverence the gift of sexuality that helps us share our love creatively and joyously."

I have many paper copies of the statement available here in the office for anyone who'd like one. There is a signature form at the end of it if
you're interested in endorsing it and having your name forwarded to the
USCCB with the statement.

Related News Coverage of the
New Ways Symposium, March 8-10, 2002