Integrity of Purpose
The Rainbow Sash Movement is about building community, promoting understanding acceptance of all people, and attempting to build a climate in the Church where we are all enriched by each other. As Pride month comes to an end I wish to thank all those wonderful people who made the Catholic Church more visible in our Community. Now is time to make us visible in our parishes.
During Pride we saw some participation by Dignity and AGLO in Pride Parades proclaiming that they are GLBT Catholic, and that their Catholic identity is important to them. My question to both groups is, can you proclaim that same identity in the parish community.
I sincerely believe that the Church is being transformed from the bottom up. The driving force for that transformation is coming from both glbt and straight Catholics. We should never diminish the role our straight allies play in this effort.
Will conferences held outside the Church bring change? In my opinion, I don't think so. Again we must firmly believe that the Kingdom is here and now. Our options are simple enter the Kingdom now, or remain in a state of anger, and darkness. All of us are God's children, and we need to start acting like we believe that.
However, if change is going to take place within the Church we must act as if the change has taken place. Speaking to fellow parishioners in a church environment about glbt issues does not require either the bishops or the clergy's permission. However, it does require you to give permission to yourself to do so. Issues of fairness and respect resonate with people of good will.
The Sacred Liturgy is part of our process of change. If we segregate ourselves from the rest of our community of faith they will never get to know us, and we them. Our identity is intimately linked to the Parish Community. We must not be afraid to be GLBT in the parishes. Proclaiming our Catholic identity outside of parish life is a meaningless gesture, if you cannot self identify in the parish.
Our journey is to become more Christ centric in building up a community that sees diversity as a way life. We are not part of a political, or even a cultural movement, but a very human Church. Only when our focus returns to Christ will we truly have a functional GLBT Catholic Community.
