The care of souls: Sexual diversity, celibacy, and ministry
"What are the challenges of the baptismal call to ministry in the lives of LGBT Catholics and how can a more positive and fruitful situation be created." - Paul Lakeland, Director of Center for Catholic Studies, ¶¶Òô»ÆƬapp
What : The final event of the four-part series entitled will address the roles and responsibilities of Catholics who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) in the Church's ministries. The focus will be on both lay and ordained Catholics at , a daylong conference to be held at ¶¶Òô»ÆƬapp on Saturday, October 29.
Where : ¶¶Òô»ÆƬapp, Dolan School of Business, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT (Conference streamed live at on day of event.)
When : Saturday October 29, 2011, 9:45 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (Full conference schedule below.)
Who: Speakers will include:
Why : All Christians through baptism are equal members of the Church. How is this equality realized in ministry to LGBT Catholics, and how do their human experience and their gifts enrich the whole community of faith? How are the celibacy of clergy and the Church's sanction of celibacy on LGBT people relevant to this discussion? How do they work for and participate in a church that denies them an essential element of themselves? What are the special challenges they face in their responsibilities towards the whole community of faith, and what are the special graces they bring to pastoral ministry?
In describing the conference, Paul Lakeland, Aloysius P. Kelley S.J. Professor of Catholic Studies and Director of the Center for Catholic Studies at ¶¶Òô»ÆƬapp and the organizer of the conference stated:
The Catholic Church has large numbers of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender laity engaged in pastoral work in the Church and many gay clergy. But the official standpoint of the teaching Church makes their status as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender problematic for individuals, their communities, and the Church. This creates conflicts and tensions for many, while hiding the fact that all Christians contribute to Church life because of, not despite who they are. So at the "Care of Souls" conference we will be examining the challenges of the baptismal call to ministry in the lives of LGBT Catholics and looking at how a more positive and fruitful situation can be created.
¶¶Òô»ÆƬapp Conference Schedule
9:15-9:45 a.m.
Registration, coffee etc.
9:45 a.m.
Welcome
10:00 a.m.
First Plenary Session
: Mark Jordan, Harvard Divinity School:
"Imagining a Hierarchy that Wanted to Change Teachings on Homosexuality"
Respondent
: Elizabeth Dreyer, ¶¶Òô»ÆƬapp
11:00 a.m.
General discussion
11:30 a.m.
Lunch break
12:15 p.m.
Second Plenary Session
: Sr. Jeannine Gramick, New Ways Ministries:
"Lesbian Nuns: A Gift to the Church"
Respondent
: Jamie Manson, Columnist,
National Catholic Reporter
1:15 p.m.
General discussion
1:45 p.m.
Break
2:00 p.m.
Third Plenary Session
: Rev. Donald Cozzens:
"Gay Ministry at the Crossroads: The Plight of Gay Clergy in the Catholic Church"
Respondent
: Gerard Jacobitz, St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia
3:00 p.m.
General Discussion
3:30 p.m.
Break
3:45 p.m.
"More Than a Monologue: Looking Forward": Panel and general discussion
4:45 p.m.
Reception
5:30 p.m.
Departure
Media contact: Roberta Sklar , (917) 704-6358
Posted On: 10-26-2011 11:10 AM
Volume: 44 Number: 97