By Sister Jeanne Christensen
The publication of Love Tenderly: The Sacred Stories of Lesbian and Queer Women Religious was five years ago. It was an essential document that helped many to understand the stories of women religious who are lesbian or queer. The authors themselves realized personal growth. Two who wrote under pseudonyms used the book as an opportunity to come out to their entire congregations. For many, writing healed shame or fear of rejection. Through their healing, writers came to embrace their sexual orientation and gender identities. They experienced freedom, acceptance and growth in personal relationships.
It would be wonderful to say Love Tenderly continues to have a significant impact or influence among religious women and men’s communities, universities and high schools, LGBTQ+ clubs or the Catholic church itself. Unfortunately, the book and the stories have faded into the background. It no longer has the impact or influence it had the first two years after its publication. So, where do we turn for new educational resources?
An important resource is New Ways Ministry which is a Catholic outreach that educates and advocates for equity, inclusion, and justice for LGBTQ+ persons, equipping leaders and many others to build bridges of dialogue within the Church and civil society. Its website includes many valuable resources.
The Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC) brings together groups and their members who work for pastoral care and justice for LGBTQ+ persons and their families. The Network works for the inclusion, dignity and equality of this community in the Roman Catholic Church and wider society. Like New Ways Ministry, the GNRC’s website includes many, valuable resources. GNRC is an international organization.
Of current interest is the final report of Group 9 of the 2024 General Assembly of Synod on Synodality.
New Ways Ministry response to synod Group 9 report may be found here or here.
Hopeful excerpts from the synod report may be found here.
An executive summary of the report is here.
You may read the full report here.
These resources are excellent. Will you read and reflect on them? Please do!