8TH DAY CENTER FOR JUSTICE
A Response to the Instruction from
the Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education

The Staff of the 8th Day Center for Justice -- a center impelled by the
belief that all creation is sacred and inter-related and imbued with the
principles of nonviolence, mutuality and cooperation -- strongly objects
to the Congregation for Catholic Education's Instruction concerning the
ordination of "gay" priests. As a center rooted in a thirty-year history
of challenging systems of oppression, we oppose this instruction because
of its discriminatory nature and false claims.

The instruction, in brief summary, draws a connection between emotional
immaturity and homosexuality. The instruction states that a person who
is homosexual is "objectively disordered" and therefore incapable of being
able to provide appropriate pastoral care. In light of this, then, the
Church must deny homosexual men entry into ordination as a way to
protect and preserve the Church community. It notes in particular that
this instruction is made "more urgent by the present situation." We
believe the present situation refers to the scandal of the sexual abuse of
children that has unfolded in the Catholic Church.

The instruction provides no insight into how the Congregation for
Catholic Education came to understand homosexuality as a sign of
emotional immaturity. The document only references natural law, the
Church's Tradition, and Scripture, according to Magisterium's narrow
interpretation. It also provides no substantiation of a link between
homosexual orientation and a propensity for sexually abusing children.
In fact, the disciplines of biology, psychology, and anthropology do not
support the claim that homosexuality is disordered or leads to sexual
abuse of children.

This instruction flows from a worldview that names heterosexuality as
normative, and it broadens the centuries old discriminatory practice
barring women from ordination. Our sisters and brothers who are gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender live each day in a society and culture
that judges their sexuality, rejects their family units and denies them
access to basic civil liberties. This instruction furthers this climate of
prejudice and oppression and it attempts to justify discrimination with
moral language.

We reject an understanding of Tradition, Scripture and Church that
harms or discriminates against any individual person or group. We
reject a worldview wherein heterosexuality is normative and
homosexuality is "objectively disordered" and therefore excluded from
the rich diversity of human experience and love. We reject the false
connection between sexual orientation and sexual abuse. And we reject
the use of our homosexual brothers as scapegoats in the sexual abuse crisis.
Further, we reject an understanding of community which permits a
powerful elite to name "norms" that are divisive and exclusionary.

We believe that "placing the onus on those who love to defend their
love, is an odd and unjust demand in a religious tradition that teaches
love as its highest value," as Mary Hunt says. We believe that all members
of the Church should have equal access to Sacraments regardless of gender
or sexual orientation. We believe, as a staff that is rooted in Christian
faith principles especially those of inclusivity and nonviolence, that we
are called to stand in solidarity with those who are oppressed and
marginalized - in this case our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
sisters and brothers. Finally, as stated in the "Catechism of the Catholic
Church," in regard to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender individuals we
believe that "they must be accepted with respect, compassion, and
sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be
avoided." (Par. 2358)

THEREFORE 
WE CALL for a community where "all are welcomed, where the
gifts of all are recognized and received, and where the rights of
all are defended and promoted," as said Rev. Paul Sherry, former
head of the United Church of Christ.

WE CALL for a worldview that embraces the complexity of the
human person and celebrates that diversity rather than creating
false and prejudiced norms.

WE CALL for an examination of heterosexism as a force in our
culture that builds and sustains systems of discrimination against
persons of different sexual orientations.

WE CALL for an understanding of Tradition, Scripture, Church
and a cosmology that honors and enacts a call to justice where we
challenge oppression, instead of enacting oppression against
anyone, especially our own members.

WE CALL for true accountability in regard to the sex abuse
scandal. We call the institutional Church to address the power
disparities between leaders and lay people in the Church and
acknowledge the need for a new understanding of relationships
that are rooted in ideals of mutuality and equality.

ACTIONS
1. Share this statement with the leadership of your local faith community (Bishop,
pastor, etc.) and other concerned persons.
2. Send it to your local media and encourage them to do a piece on the
statement. They may contact 8th Day Center for comments at
312-641-5151.
3. Reflect upon this statement as it applies to your own life and
relationships.

SOURCES:
"Eradicating the Sin of Heterosexism" by Mary E. Hunt August 2005 -
Chapter of a forthcoming book

"Now, No Condemnation-A Pastoral Letter to the United Church of
Christ" by Rev. Paul H. Sherry, Former President of the United Church
of Christ (November 1998)

"Catechism of the Catholic Church", Ligouri Publications, 1994 Pg. 566


--

See www.8thdaycenter.org for previous Bulletins and for other info and activities

=============================

Please spread this Bulletin widely: forward it or post it on conferences and e-mail lists.

Write to us relative only to Bulletins concerns (comments, suggestions, to subscribe or
unsubscribe) at bulletins (at) claret.org .

Please direct all other correspondence to
8thday (at) claret.org
8th Day Center for Justice
205 W Monroe St Ste 2W
Chicago IL 60606-5062
Phone: (312) 641-5151
FAX: (312) 641-1250