It’s a New Year, and new energy here at Queering the Church. Readership is stronger than ever, the comment threads are busy, and I have a team of new contributors to help out. (Some you have met, some are still waiting in the wings). I have been asked by them, “What shall I write about?”, to which my short answer is, “Whatever you are drawn to.” But that’s facetious, and not terribly helpful. “What I am drawn to” may not be particularly relevant – this is not the place for posts about your favourite sports team, or why you hate your boss. In trying to articulate what really is relevant for my new contributors, I thought it would be helpful to share my thoughts with the wider readership. Feel free to comment on what I have overlooked, what you find helpful – and where I’m falling short.
Spreading the Godspell
Way back in the beginning, just over three years ago, I headed my first substantive post, “Good News for LGBT Catholics“, and that remains the essence of my intention. “Gospel” derives from the Old English “godspell”, which means “good news” or “glad tidings”, and that in turn is a direct translation of “εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion)”, the Greek for “good message”. The Latin form “evangelium” is the source of the English “evangelist”, and “evangelical”. Far too often, what LGBT Catholics and other Christians hear from their designated religious leaders hear from their religious leaders is not in fact good news, but is frankly hostile. It is that, which I aim to counteract.
For there is a great deal of good news for queer Christians out there. It is present in the Bible, in both the Hebrew and the Christian scriptures, it is present in Christian history, in much of formal theology, and in the lives and experiences of men and women in the Church. It is also present in the secular world, in the findings of science, and in the continuing progress on the path to political equality.
So, I (now, “we”) need to be bearers of that good news: queer evangelists. We need to offer queer readings of Scripture (ideally, including reflections on the Mass readings), exploring LGBT themes in church history, and reporting on theology and ministry. We also need to report on the progress and achievements in the wider world, outside of the Church.
Positive, but critical: keeping a balance
Spreading the “good news” does not imply we should refrain from criticism, where it is due. Part of the good news in Catholic teaching, is that we have a right and a duty to make known our objections to church leaders, where we think they are failing in their duties. In church history, there is an established and honourable tradition of an obligation to dissent. So, part of our task here is to articulate dissent, and to correct the errors of those who propagate hate or discrimination in the name of religion. Sometimes, we will need to reflect in sorrow on the setbacks to our cause of equality and inclusion. On balance though, I want to see more emphasis on the good, than simply anger at the bad.
Reality – based Theology
Far too much of what passes for Catholic teaching, especially on sexuality, is totally unrelated to either what is known from the world of science, or to the reality of sexual experience. In opposition to Vatican conclusions based on centuries of theoretical speculation, James Alison asks the question, “Yes, but is it true?”. In like manner, I ask the question, “Where is the evidence?” Empirical evidence from the social and natural sciences flatly contradicts what the CDF tells us, and reliable opinion surveys demonstrate that “Catholic belief” and Vatican doct rine seldom co-incide. Scripture tells us, and the CDF Hallowe’en letter reminds us, to “Speak the truth in love”, for “the truth will set you free. It is in this spirit, that I attempt to report as much as I can on those findings of science and opinion surveys, so that we may have a basis in reality against which to test the arguments the CDF uses against us.
Another aspect of “reality”, one which cannot be denied, is that which we experience in our own lives. The “homosexual person” as described in Vatican documents is a hypothetical construct, with little foundation in the real world. To understand our situation, and make sense of our lives, we can learn a lot from each other. I hope that QTC can contribute, by becoming a place where we can share our stories and experiences, in a place of safety.
Looking Outwards, and Diversity
This site began as a place specifically for LGBT Catholics, and the Catholic Church remains its central focus. I am not happy though, with this artificial division between “Catholics” and Christians”. There is a lot we can learn from the experience and successes of other denominations, especially in respect of their own journeys to full inclusion and equality, in church.
We need also to look beyond purely religious consideration, and celebrate the progress ( or lament the setbacks), ln the secular world too. Conversely, the Catholic / Christian faith is not by any means obsessed with sex. There are many more dimensions of faith that also deserve reflection, airing, and discussion.
Nor must we forget that we are a diverse community, which needs to be reflected in our content. We should aim to cover at least a range of orientation and gender expressions, and also to cover geographic and demographic diversity. (LGBT people are not found exclusively in the gay ghettoes of North America, or in the large cities of Europe). Where we can, we should not only cover that diversity, but also reflect it, in our contributors’ own diverse backgrounds.
Comments Threads
All of this has implications for our comments threads. Recognizing the validity of dissent, and recognizing that on any topic of importance, there will be diversity of opinion, requires that we respond with respect to those who disagree with us, for example, even when these are expressed with anger. I have received many expressions of extraordinary venom. There are many appropriate ways to respond to such hostility, but replying in kind, with matching hostilility, is not one of them.
I do not currently have a formal, explicitly stated comments policy, but will have to produce one quite soon. The comments threads have become quite lively in recetn weeks, which I love, BUT we will have to produce clear guidelines:precisely what is acceptable – and what, not?
Looking Ahead.
Those are some of my thoughts, on what I aim to achieve. I know that on much of this, I have fallen short. This was inevitable, operating essentially as a one man band for much of that time. That is about to change, with a broader range of contributors coming on board. Bart, a gay priest who used to post a regular weekly column, is about to resume posting again (but not on a strict schedule, and also with a shift in content. ”Advocatus Diaboli” and Jenni have already placed their first posts, and two new contributors will appear, shortly. This will help to provide more material for you to reflect on, greater diversity of opinion, and some diversity of background.
Whether we are able to provide suitable diversity of content, and maintain the positive balance and respectful tone I am aiming for, remains to be seen.
If you feel I have left anything out in my statement of intention, or got it wrong in any way – please don’t hesitate to say so.
Yours in Christ
Terence
A.M.D.G. (“Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam” – t0 the greater glory of God)
We could do better yet.
