Articles of Faith
|
Articles
of Faith |
by Rev. Sarah Flynn
It
is hardly a secret to say that gay and Catholic is a combination of words
that spell trouble, regardless of your point of view. For gay Catholics
it means years of recovery from spiritual toxicity. Some burrow deeper
into suffocating closets. Others come out screaming. And some, after considerable
struggle, learn to separate the main entree from the upsetting side dishes
that come with the Roman Catholic menu. On top of all that, LGBT Catholics
face the understandably hostile attitude of the larger queer community
to Christianity in general and Roman Catholicism in particular. As a good
friend of mine was fond of saying, "I don't know which is harder,
coming out as a gay man to my fellow priests, or coming out as a priest
to other gay men."
Where can you find a place that you
can call your spiritual home if you are Queer and Catholic? One thing
is clear, and that is LGBT Catholics need a supportive community, one
that both encourages their faith and affirms their wholeness and worth
as God-given gender variant people. There are some Roman Catholic parishes
which provide quiet support. Very few, however, that can openly affirm
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender or Gender Queer persons without risk
of censure from the hierarchy for departing from the official teaching
of the Roman Catholic Church.
All this the readers know. However,
what many do not know is that there actually is a Catholic alternative,
one that began in Europe 100 years before Vatican II in the 1960's.
This earlier progressive movement
to which I refer was known as the 'Old Catholic Church' which began first
in Holland, then Germany, Switzerland and spread to other European countries.
Eventually it arrived in England, and from there came to the United States
brought by bishops who were consecrated in direct line by those original
dissenting bishops who had been excommunicated for not submitting to the
new doctrine of Papal Infallibility. Incidentally, the name 'Old Catholic'
is not a reference to some form of rigid orthodoxy and hierarchical control.
Just the reverse is true. From the very beginning Old Catholic bishops
included lay persons with equal voice and vote in their deliberations.
The word 'Old' refers to the way things were in the earlier centuries
when there was less centralization of authority in Rome and more diversity
in belief, liturgy and practice than came to be the case as the popes
centralized power in Rome and in the papal office.
So what does the Old Catholic movement
have to offer modern day LGBT/Q Catholics? It offers a much-needed spiritual
community in which queer Catholics may grow in their faith and not leave
behind the rich sacramental life which formed their spirituality.
Which brings us to the point
of this article: the Old Catholic movement is now in Vermont, being represented
by the American Catholic Church of New England. The author of this article
is a priest in this Church, a transsexual female, and an out and activist
member of the Burlington Queer community. Living proof, I should say,
that there is indeed an affirming Catholic alternative for queer people.
It is not the intent of the American Catholic Church to encourage LGBTQ
Roman Catholics to abandon their parish churches. If they have found a
way to live within their faith community we support their decision to
do so. Our ministry is to the marginalized, as we tell people over and
over. We reach out to those who do not have a place where they feel welcome
and accepted for who they are, be they straight or gay. We invite all
in need of the Eucharist to come share what God has provided and receive
the life and power of Christ in the sacrament for their healing and strength.
All means all. The American Catholic Church is composed of straight and
gay people. There are heterosexual married priests, ordained women, divorced
and remarried persons; in short, none of the usual barriers are put between
those called of God to share the sacramental life and their access to
these means of grace. We use inclusive language, make decisions by consensus
or democratic voting. Bishops are elected, not appointed by a pope.
For Catholics looking for a
place to go that feels like home, but does not spiritually abuse you when
you go, the American Catholic Church provides what you are looking for.
We are a small denomination with worker priests who receive no salary.
We meet in homes, hospital chapels and rent space from other churches.
We travel light. Our mission is to those on the edge with no place to
go and no one to welcome them.
If you are one of those persons, or
are just curious to see what progressive Roman Catholicism might look
and feel like in a few more centuries, feel free to to come and check
us out.
April 2nd at 7:00 p.m. will be the first celebration of Holy Eucharist by the American Catholic Church of New England. If you would like to come either call 802-660-7175 or email me at saraflynn@yahoo.com for directions.
Rev. Sarah Flynn is a priest with the American Catholic Church of New England.