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The Family Life Office:
Ministry To Families Of Gay And Lesbian Children
“As baptized persons, lesbian and gay Catholics share the rights of all the baptized: "to receive the sacraments, to be nourished with the Word of God and to be sustained by the other spiritual helps of the Church"
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1969).
Increasing numbers of lesbian and gay people are taking another look at the Catholic Church. Many are discovering in the Church a new spirit of openness:
“The teachings of the Church make it clear that the fundamental human rights of homosexual persons must be defended and that all of us must strive to eliminate any forms of injustice, oppression, or violence against them (cf. The Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons, 1986, no. 10). It is not sufficient only to avoid unjust discrimination. Homosexual persons 'must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity' (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2358)."
(Always Our Children, pp. 6, 9)
The U.S. Bishops expressed their welcome of lesbian and gay people in 1976, and repeated it in 1991:
“Homosexual [persons], like everyone else, should not suffer from prejudice against their basic human rights. They have a right to respect, friendship, and justice. They should have an active role in the Christian community.”
(To Live in Christ Jesus)
Available for families and Pastoral Ministers is Always Our Children, A Pastoral Message to Parents of Homosexual Children a statement of the Bishops Committee on Marriage and Family.
“Seeds of Hope” a resource manual for parishes and campuses to minister to the gay and lesbian population and their families.
Call the Family Life Office at 518-453-6642 or meg.bergh@rcda.org
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