The Cincinnati Enquirer |
Local News
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April 8, 1998 |
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Seven months after it was issued, the US Catholic bishops’ pastoral letter "Always Our Children" continues to provoke enthusiastic support and vigorous opposition.
Area residents had a chance to hear both between Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon, from Catholic speakers who travel around the country lecturing on responses to homosexuality. And they will have a chance in October to learn more when the Most Rev. Carl Moeddel, auxiliary bishop of Cincinnati, delivers a series of presentation on the letter. "Always Our Children" urges parents to continue demonstrating love toward their gay children even if they reject some of their children’s attitudes or behaviors. It recommends spiritual direction for both children and parents, and asks ministers to learn about homosexuality and welcome its discussion in their parishes. The letter also reiterates Catholic teaching that homosexual behavior is immoral but that homosexual orientation generally is innate and therefore "cannot be considered sinful, for morality presumes the freedom to choose." The Rev John Harvey, who founded the national group Courage in 1980 to support chastity among those with same-sex attractions, welcomed the letter’s emphasis on parental love and the immorality of homosexual acts. But, speaking to about 150 people at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center in Norwood on Wednesday evening, he criticized its characterization of homosexuality as innate, and its advice that parents "wait and see" if they learn their children are experimenting with homosexual behavior. "In 53 years as a priest, I’ve never criticized anything by the bishops," said Father Harvey, whose organization includes 51 support groups in 30 dioceses and hopes to open a Cincinnati chapter. "This time, I’m afraid it’s going to be embarrassing to all the bishops...Many of our bishops are very upset about it." |
"Always Our Children" was the focus of an all-day workshop for parents and ministers at Peaslee Neighborhood Center in Over-the-Rhine on Wednesday. The Rev. Robert Nugent, who with Sister Jeannine Gramick has run a ministry to gays and lesbians since 1971, explained the document’s history and teachings to about 30 people.
 "This (letter) is a major step forward from the past. Its language, the concepts it uses are brand-new," Father Nugent said. "they (the bishops) have validated the topic, brought it out of the closet and said, we know this is out there." Father Nugent and Sister Gramick stressed that the letter was not a theological statement or challenge to church teaching but rather a pastoral guide. They also expressed regret over a deleted passage that would have stated the sinfulness of any act was ultimately between God and the individual. Bishop Moeddel’s presentations will be in early October, with the Cincinnati session planned for Oct. 6 at St. John Neumann Church in Pleasant Run, Colerain Township. Julie Irwin, staff reporter
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