GLBT Catholics and their allies attended the 15th biennial national convention of Dignity/USA in Chicago last week, the first time the event was held here since 1977.
Dignity, the nation’s oldest and largest organization of GLBT Catholics, gave Lifetime Achievement Awards to Sister Jeannine Gramick and Father Robert Nugent, co-founders of New Ways Ministry. Last year, the Vatican banned the two from speaking or writing on homosexuality. In 1999, they were ordered to stop all ministry with the gay community. Nugent has obeyed the restrictions, and while Gramick has ended her ministry with gays, she has spoken publicly about the Vatican’s censure of her.
“In presenting our Lifetime Achievement Awards to Jeannine and Bob, Dignity/USA is recognizing people who have truly followed Jesus’ footsteps in reaching out to people scorned by religious and civil authorities,” said Dignity/USA President Mary Louise Cervone. “Their lives and ministry give true witness to the Gospel.”
See www.DignityUSA.org.