Always Our Children Promoted in Cincinnati Archdiocese
Bishop Moeddel introduces Gay/Lesbian Inclusion Project
from the November/December 1998 issue

AUXILIARY BISHOP CARL MOEDDEL of Cincinnati held three regional meetings in his archdiocese with homosexual activists and parents of homosexual children to promote the recent U.S. bishops' pastoral letter, Always Our Children (AOC).

During the first meeting, which was held at St. John Neumann Church in Cincinnati, Moeddel, a member of the conference committee that produced the pastoral letter, said AOC was intended as guidelines for parents and clergy, not as "an endorsement of homosexual lifestyles."

Nevertheless, Moeddel shared the podium with a representative from Parents, Friends & Family of Lesbians & Gays (P-FLAG) to distribute literature advertising the homosexualist organizations P-FLAG and DIGNITY.

P-FLAG is the country’s leading organization promoting the acceptance of homosexual culture in schools and in the media. It promotes same-sex marriage as a "basic human right," undermines Biblical and religious objections to homosexual activity, promotes "gay pride" and "homosexual lifestyle awareness" at elementary and secondary schools, and organizes youth groups for adolescents to encourage them to "accept" their orientation.

DIGNITY is a group of dissident Catholic homosexuals agitating for changes in the Church’s teaching on the issue. According to the organization’s statement of purpose it believes that "gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons can express their sexuality in a manner that is consonant with Christ's teaching. We believe that we can express our sexuality physically, in a unitive manner that is loving, life-giving, and life-affirming": DIGNITY labors "for the development of sexual theology leading to the reform of [the Church’s] teachings and practices regarding human sexuality."

Meeting attendees were also introduced to a "new educational project within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati" called "Concerned Catholics for Gay/Lesbian Inclusion" (CCGLI). According to CCGLI’s promotional literature, the project’s goals are as follows:

"1. To educate all parishioners on the total Church teaching with regard to homosexuality and the responsibility of Catholics toward gay men and lesbians;

2. To share and witness the faith journey of gay/lesbian persons, their families and friends;

3. To begin the dialogue so parishioners have a means of communicating on an emotional issue;

4. [To] Develop a list of resources (speakers, video and audio tapes, books, etc.). These resources would also include the stories of gay men and lesbians in the Church so people can relate to their journeys; and

5. [To] Establish a referral list of parishes and Catholic organizations where Always Our Children is embraced."

CCGLI has the blessing of Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk of Cincinnati.

Parents and others who attended the meeting were also given a list of therapists "who are gay-friendly/sensitive," including Kevin Prendergast at Catholic Social Services. The list was prepared by Kathy Laufman, a representative of GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. GLSEN is a national homosexual activist organization devoted to fighting for "sexual orientation rights" in schools.

RELATED ARTICLE: Always Our Children--Flawed & Defective

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