On August 23, 2003, a group of approximately twenty-five people, mostly from St. Cronan’s parish, gathered to discuss the recently released statement from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, "Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons." This document categorizes same-sex relationships as disordered and states that adoption by same-sex couples "would actually mean doing violence to these children."

As Catholics who disagree with this statement from the Vatican, many in the group expressed the opinion that this is an opportunity for a wide variety of responses: individual, communal (our parish and other parishes), and public (including the media). Many expressed an interest in having some program(s) for the children of the parish that demonstrates our commitment to honoring and blessing diverse families.

As a result, it was proposed that the Holy Families Committee would be established to address this issue in broad terms and to implement the ideas brought forth at the meeting. Assistance was also offered and was requested at that time from the Catholic Action Network.

Proposed Responses

1. Write a letter directed to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Archbishop of St. Louis, and the People of the Roman Catholic faith addressing the inaccuracies and injustices of this statement. This letter, along with other correspondence is available for your review.

2. Hold an "Issues and Inspirations" meeting at St. Cronan Church concerning this document. This meeting was conducted at St. Cronan’s parish hall on April 3, 2004. Approximately 50 people attended from various parishes, mostly from St. Cronan’s. The document was explained and the group heard about the personal experiences of gay/lesbian Catholics and Catholic parents. After the discussion, attendees signed a letter to be sent to Archbishop Burke, “Genuine Love, Valuable Families.”

3. Create a physical display, such as t-shirts (and medallions), of our unity with families of all types. Many suggestions were offered.

4. Celebrate all families, including same sex partners, in a prayer and blessing at a public forum, such as on the steps of the Cathedral. Invite the media so that our prayerful voices as Catholics will be offered in disagreement with this Vatican statement. The group has sponsored vigils in 2004 and 2005, on the steps of the Cathedral in solidarity with Soulforce.  Also, in July 2006 the group sponsored a vigil at St. Louis University in opposition to the harmful message of Courage, a Catholic anti-gay group.   In November of 2008 we joined with Show Me No H8 St. Louis and other groups to protest the passage of proposition 8 in California.   Advent of 2009 we gathered with show me No H8 at the Cathedral every Sunday to raise awareness about Archbishop Carlson sending $10,000 to Maine to advocate against same-sex marriage.  We asked that funds be used to support local charity, peace and justice, not hate in other states.  More information about the rallies here.

5. Bless all families at St. Cronan's church, perhaps for the Feast of the Holy Family. This blessing is one of many steps that demonstrate to our children that all families are from God. This was done on the Feast of the Holy Family at St. Cronan’s parish in 2003 and every year since then.

6. Raise funds to rent a billboard that supports diverse families. This was done in October, 2005.  You can support this effort by attending a reception Reclaiming the Gay Saints (on October 21st) or by ordering a "Love Makes Families" T-shirt from CAN.

 

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I-170 between Natural Bridge and I-70

7. Have a presence at the Gay Pride celebration in June that demonstrates our Catholic support of diverse families. Our Holy Families table was a great success at Pridefest 2006.

The work begun at this meeting and continued in the two years since then has been the result of the commitment of the Catholic Action Network and the Holy Family Committee members. Please consider joining us in our many upcoming activities.

8. Create an educational program to assist parishes and small faith communities with discussing issues surrounding sexual orientation. We created the COPA(Catholic, Open and Affirming Program) a four week program that is designed to help groups educate themselves and have healthy dialogue surrounding the issues surrounding homosexuality and the church.

Our Holy Families working group unveiled it’s “Catholic, Open and Affirming” Curriculum in Spring of 2007.  Contact CAN to discuss bringing "Catholic, Openand Affirming" to your community.

We are looking for people who would be interested in facilitating the "Catholic, Open and Affirming"  Curriculum.   If you are interested in facilitating or learning more e-mail CAN.

 

2008 Events

The Catholic Open and Affirming Program was run in a parish and facilitators have been trained for future opportunities.

We participated in the Show Me no H8 rally in St. Louis on Saturday, November 15th.  Check it out here.

Over 1000 St. Louisans gathered, at the same time as people throughout the country, to show support for equal right to marriage for all people.  The struggle continues to get involved with CAN's Holy Families group- working for a church that includes and welcomes the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender community- e-mail can.