These Catholic institutions seek to welcome and integrate LGBT students into the learning community.
Welcome to New Ways Ministry,
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Celebrating 35 Years of Ministry in the LGBT Catholic Community!
New Ways Ministry greets Pope Francis, and we send him our prayers and best wishes as he takes on the awesome role as Chief Shepherd and Pastor of the Roman Catholic Church.
As he begins his papacy, we request that Pope Francis make one of his top priorities the re-evaluation of the Catholic hierarchy's approach to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues. As a cardinal in Argentina, the new pope spoke strongly against marriage equality and against the right for gay and lesbian people to adopt children. We hope that in his new office, he will have the wisdom to hear all sides of these complex issues and that he will inject pastoral messages into his statements.
Over the past several decades, under the papacies of John Paul II and Benedict XVI, our church has suffered because of the aggressively negative approach to issues of sexual orientation and gender identity that the hierarchy has taken. As a result of these condemnatory and hurtful messages, thousands upon thousands of people -- both LGBT and heterosexual -- have left the Catholic Church. Some have looked to other churches for a pastoral welcome, and some have given up on faith altogether.
Pope Francis has the opportunity to repair much of this hurt and alienation by offering sincere pastoral outreach to LGBT people and their families. A welcoming gesture from the new pope in the first month of his papacy can go a long way to express God's love for all humanity. Without such a gesture, the church will continue to lose members, as well as credibility.
Pope Francis will need to go further than gestures, too. In the past few decades, Catholics in the United States and all over the globe have become increasingly welcoming of LGBT people. Catholics have gone to ballot boxes to ensure that LGBT people do not suffer from discrimination and violence, and that they receive equal benefits in society, including civil marriage. During that time, Catholic theologians, using modern research and evidence, have called for the Catholic Church to update its teachings and approach to sexuality, including sexual orientation, same-sex relationships, and gender identity. The Catholic Church is ready for the full acceptance of LGBT people in the church community. The only obstacle to recognition of the full dignity of LGBT people is the intransigence of the hierarchy. Through example and directive, the new pope can move the church toward full acceptance.
Pope Francis has many items on his agenda, but we hope that he will place the updating of Catholic teaching on LGBT issues at the top of his list. The Catholic Church is hurting because of the many people it has lost due to the homophobia and prejudice of its officials. We need the new pope to be a healer and reconciler, and a true shepherd of all souls.
Links to Catholic LGBT organizations, Catholic reform organizations, national interfaith LGBT organizations, and resources for young adults.
Articles, press releases, and links to online resources for LGBT and questioning Catholic youth experiencing anti-gay bullying.
Order CDs & DVDs of 7th National Symposium
March 15-17, 2012
Baltimore, Maryland
Catholics Support Gay Rights
The Public Religion Research Institute's report, Catholic Attitudes on Gay and Lesbian Issues: A Comprehensive Portrait from Recent Research, found that the majority of the sixty-four million Catholics in the United States support a number of public policies that extend rights to gay men, lesbians, and their families.
Combined Federal Campaign
Upcoming NWM Programs
Marriage Equality: A Positive Catholic Approach, by Executive Director Francis DeBernardo, is now in its second printing. You can download the book free online or order hard copies!
From Water to Wine:
Lesbian/Gay Catholics and Relationships
New Ways Ministry - 4012 29th Street - Mount Rainier, Maryland 20712 - Telephone: (301) 277-5674
Contributions to New Ways Ministry are tax-deductible under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. CFC Number: 11699
New Ways Ministry - 4012 29th Street - Mount Rainier, Maryland 20712 - Telephone: (301) 277-5674
Contributions to New Ways Ministry are tax-deductible under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. CFC Number: 11699
New Ways Ministry Greets Pope Francis,
Calls for Dialogue with Alienated Catholics
a gay-positive ministry of advocacy and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Catholics, and reconciliation within the larger Christian and civil communities.
Through research, publication and education about homosexuality, we foster dialogue among groups and individuals, identify and combat personal and structural homophobia, work for changes in attitudes and promote the acceptance of LGBT people as full and equal members of church and society.
New Ways Ministry is a member of Equally Blessed, a coalition of faithful Catholics who support full equality for LGBT people both in the Church and in civil society.
Marriage Equality Book Now Available!
Pilgrimage with Sr. Jeannine Gramick to important sites in the Holy Land
Journey into Life: Learning to Live with HIV/AIDS
A retreat day for persons living with HIV/AIDS
A Christian Spirituality for our Times with Michael Morwood
A weekend retreat for LGBT Catholics, their families, pastoral
ministers, and all interested persons
The Holy Land: Ancient and New
FEBRUARY 14-23, 2014
Pilgrimage visits Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Sea of Galilee, Bethany, Jericho, and other sites
For more information, visit our 'Pilgrimage' page