From the Boston Catholic Insider
h led by a “gay-friendly’ pastor has done something worse than we could have imagined. The “gay-friendly” pastor at St. Ignatius of Loyola in Chestnut Hill — welcomed by Cardinal O’Malley to the parish in 2016 despite his published history of leading a “gay-friendly” parish in New York City — has a full-page propaganda letter in their parish bulletin touting the parish administrator’s story as a transgender person and urging parishioners to vote “Yes” on the upcoming “Bathroom Bill” ballot question. A “Yes” means the existing law stands that allows transgender people to use whatever bathroom they please. A “No” means the law would be repealed, restoring safety and sanity to the Commonwealth by simply saying that people should use the restroom of their biological gender, as it’s been for the nearly 200 years since there have been public restrooms.
Dear Parishioners,
I delivered the below text at a recent interfaith action event for transgender equality, hosted by Temple Israel of Boston…
One of the most frustrating aspects of being a catholic trans man is that people often insist on praying for me, but never with me. On the surface, they may appear well intentioned, and undoubtedly some are sincere. Yet, I know there are folks who pray for me to…change who I am at the very core of my being. They pray for what they assume to be a choice, a sickness, a disorder…. Opponents find comfort in limiting my human rights…This hatred and fear mongering is used to validate repeals to our protections, as is the case with Massachusetts Ballot Question 3… this measure seeks to roll back public protections for the transgender community. A no vote would succeed in stripping trans people of our rights, whereas a yes vote would preserve current legislation.
I never imagined that my faith would become a battleground. Often, I feel caught between my two communities…I exist in both communities without being a contradiction. If anything, my identities enhance each other. The choice I make is to reclaim what it means to be queer and religious in today’s world…
I cannot deny I benefit from privileges that others in the trans community do not. I experience passing privilege, meaning most people would not realize I am a trans man, unless I willingly outed myself. I am white, I come from a loving and supportive family, and I was able to receive a college education. My insurance has fully covered trans related services. However, many of my trans siblings are faced with difficult choices…
…we encourage the people of Massachusetts to love the transgender community, and uphold the protections in the name of dignity. Thank you!
- Man Caught Looking over Changing Room Wall in Target (Revere, MA): A man was seen peering over a Target unisex changing room wall into the next stall where a young female was changing
- A female security guard at a Washington, D.C. grocery store was arrested for physically escorting a man out of the women’s restroom after he refused to leave because he identifies as a woman
- Transgenderism is not a civil right, but an uncivil wrong
- Transgenderism is not a unique form of self-expression, but a mental disorder
- Transgenders need psychiatric assistance, not public accommodation
- Opponents of transgenderism are not crazy bigots, but sane and loving people who care about their families, faith, and freedom
It is never easy to deliver a message that calls people to make sacrifices or to do difficult things….We must teach the truths of the Gospel in season and out of season. These recent times seem to us like it is out of season, but for that very reason it is even more urgent to teach the hard words of the Gospel today.
Friends and relatives of homosexual Catholics sometimes feel torn between their allegiance to Christ and their concern for their loved ones. I assure them that these goals are not incompatible….Calling people to embrace the cross of discipleship, to live the commandments and at the same time assuring them that we love them as brothers and sisters can be difficult. Sometimes we are told: If you do not accept my behavior, you do not love me. In reality we must communicate the exact opposite: “Because we love you, we cannot accept your behavior.”
This church is run by the Jesuits and essentially part of Boston College.
ReplyDeleteAh, cabbage rolls and coffee. A great combination.
ReplyDelete