FROM A NEWS RELEASE
WASHINGTON - As Roman Catholic bishops convene today in Baltimore for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' annual Fall General Assembly, Catholic leaders, representing the views of the majority of Catholics across the country who support social justice for all Americans regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, invite press and organizers to a press call where they will voice concerns over the USCCB's lack of financial transparency regarding their political activity to strip LGBT Americans of all legal recognition and protection, show why the bishops' new argument that supporting legal equality for LGBT citizens in public policy in some way "infringes on their religious liberty" is a myth, and will respond to any and all questions the public has around the USCCB's political activity on LGBT-equality issues. The group will lastly address the heightened attacks and rhetoric from the bishops against all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans and their families. While the bishops attempt to play the victim card, it is in fact they who are bullying lay Catholics, priests and women religious, and the American public.
Who:
Phil Attey, Executive Director - Catholics for Equality
Dr. Joseph Palacios, Director - Catholics for Equality Foundation
Manley Calhoun, State Chair - Maryland Catholics for Equality
What:
Catholic Leaders address concerns around the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' political activity and public stands against civil rights and social justice for LGBT Americans
Where:
Call (712) 432-3066 - then enter Conference ID 307312
When:
Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 11:00 AM EDT
Why:
With so many LGBT issues on the legislative calendars and ballots across the country and conservative Catholic bishops leading national efforts to strip LGBT people of all legal recognition and protection, social justice Catholics must speak out against the heightened anti-gay, anti-trans, anti-social justice dictates and rhetoric coming from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.