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PDF versionDecade after defiance, Jeannine Gramick as hopeful as ever
by Jamie L Manson on Jul. 11, 2011
It’s been more than a decade since the Vatican attempted to silence Sr. Jeannine Gramick and Fr. Robert Nugent from their work with gay and lesbian Catholics.
Though Nugent agreed in 2000 to abide by the church’s prohibition on speaking and writing about homosexuality, Gramick politely declined. In a statement that has become a mantra for many Catholics who seek reforms in the institutional church, Gramick responded, “I choose not to collaborate in my own oppression.”
A newspaper story about her struggle with the Vatican caught the eye of a straight, feminist, New York filmmaker. Barbara Rick, herself a lapsed Catholic, was stunned by the nun’s courageous story of defiance. “A woman standing up to the church really got to me,” she told the audience.
Rick’s nonprofit documentary company, Out of the Blue Films, is “devoted to exceptional storytelling that explores, articulates, and celebrates humanity.” Like a true documentarian, she saw film in Gramick’s story.
Four years later, In Good Conscience: Sister Jeannine’s Journey of Faith premiered at Lincoln Center as part of the 2004 Independents Night series.
Barbara Rick and Sr. Jeannine Gramick speak during a session at New York's Strand bookstore June 22. (Photo courtesy Out of the Blue films)
Gramick and Rick reunited in Manhattan during New York City’s Pride Week this year in a program titled “Clips and Conversation,” hosted by the Strand, a legendary independent book store in the heart of Union Square. Seeing the chemistry between the pair, with their equal wit and passion for justice, it is little wonder they were able to create a film that is as humorous and playful as it is moving and inspiring.
Rick recounted the story of bringing aboard Albert Maysles, considered by many the “dean of documentary filmmaking,” to shoot the film. During a meeting with Maysles, Rick ran through a bunch of ideas for film projects. Gramick’s story made him sit up in his seat and ask eagerly, “Do you have anyone to shoot it?”
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Grasping Maysles attention was no small feat given that his works include the cult classic Grey Gardens, a riveting portrait of an eccentric mother and daughter secluded in a deteriorating mansion, and Gimme Shelter, a profile of the Rolling Stones widely considered one of the greatest rock and roll movies.
With Maysles behind the camera, Rick followed Gramick for over two years. They shot some candid, amusing scenes, like Gramick’s morning exercise regimen and her friend’s poking fun at her new, “poofy” hairdo. But they also captured compelling moments, like when Gramick encounters anti-gay protestors on a picket line during the U.S. bishops’ 2002 meeting in Dallas.
The picket line scene is the most popular episode in the movie, Rick told the audience at the Strand. It’s also a scene that almost didn’t happen.
“I didn’t want to go talk to the protestors…I don’t like conflict,” Gramick laughingly admitted. But Rick knew well that all films need tension, so she sent Gramick over to talk with a particularly impassioned picketer. Her good direction proved to be revelatory.
Gramick approaches the man, named Michael, who is protesting gay priests, and tries to converse with him. At first, he is belligerent, insisting that there is an underground gay agenda ruining the priesthood. Gramick, seemingly with little effort, interacts with Michael at a human level.
After they talk for a while, he realizes that he is speaking to Sister Gramick, a woman he asked his bishop to remove from diocesan property years ago when she offered a retreat to parents of gays and lesbians. A flash of sorrow runs across his face as Gramick gently tells him how much that action hurt the families.
Though they ultimately cannot agree on their beliefs about homosexuality, they are able to hold hands and pray the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be to God. Maysles positions the camera perfectly so that their hands were in the center of the frame.
The scene captures a living example of the beatitudes. Watching Gramick engage the protestor, one understands how blessed peacemakers truly are. Their joined hands brilliantly exemplify why Jesus asks us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. With her patience, Gramick finds compassion for this man and together they are able to find mutual respect for their mutual love of the Church.
For Gramick, the scene shows how crucial it is to establish a personal connection with our “opponents” before engaging in heavy intellectual disagreements with them. It is an opportunity increasingly lost in our virtual age where detractors can viciously attack one another anonymously, for all web surfers to read.
Reflecting on the clip of this scene, Rick still seemed struck by the power of its example: “Until Sister Jeannine, I have never met anyone who is able to get this positive message across and follow her conscience and what she believes in without rancor… To do this work without any venom…it’s pretty close to Jesus.”
For Gramick it is rancor that separates the holy anger of a prophet from destructive anger.
“Anger that eats you up inside and makes you feel badly about yourself and the person you’re angry at,” she says, is unhealthy for the spirit. “But anger that makes you want to do something positive, anger that ‘puts gas in your tank’ is the type of anger that leads to justice.”
Though the film centers on Gramick’s defiance of the Church’s edict, she believes it’s time to move beyond negative terms when we talk about our conscientious objections to church authorities.
“It’s following the call of God,” she says. “It’s thinking, studying, praying, in order to come to a decision which may or not be what a moral authority teaches. It’s a positive thing. It’s obedience to the Spirit.”
While she maintains a remarkably hopeful disposition toward the institutional church, Gramick isn’t unrealistic. When asked by an audience member whether she thought a greater acceptance of gays and lesbians by the hierarchy was on the horizon, Gramick said that she believes change will happen because change is part of church history.
“But because I know church history, I know change takes centuries,” she says.
Of course, she cannot leave that thought without a positive spin.
“We are planting seeds for change at the upper level of leadership,” she said. Gramick reminded her listeners that before of Vatican II, scholars and liturgists spent years laying the groundwork for the reforms brought about by the Council. Vatican II, she said, was “more evolutionary than revolutionary.”
Gramick is also honest about the fears plaguing the laity when faced with challenging the clergy: “It’s hard to go against those we have been trained to think are ‘the experts.’ But we have to learn to trust God within us.”
As greater numbers of lay people discover the courage of their convictions, the church will continue to change because “the church” is the people of God.
“When we started this work, only 20 percent of Catholics believed in equal rights for gays and lesbians,” Gramick said. “Now it’s over 73 percent. . . . The church is moving.”
So, these days, when Gramick is asked what the church believes, she always tells the person what the majority of the members of the Catholic community believe, rather than the teachings of the hierarchy.
For Gramick, it is more important than ever that the laity exercise their consciences because that is what truly leads to change.
Harkening back to her film’s title, she reminded the audience, “That’s what conscience is. It’s the voice of God speaking in our hearts. We need to trust that and not separate ourselves from the spiritual treasures of the church. That’s our spiritual heritage.”
[Jamie L. Manson received her Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School where she studied Catholic theology and sexual ethics. Her columns for NCR earned her a first prize Catholic Press Association award for Best Column/Regular Commentary in 2010.]
To learn more about In Good Conscience, including clips from the film, visit www.ingoodconscience.com. Further information about Barbara Rick’s work can be found at www.outofthebluefilms.com.
| Editor's Note: We can send you an e-mail alert every time Jamie Manson's column, "Grace on the Margins", is posted to NCRonline.org. Go to this page and follow directions: E-mail alert sign-up. If you already receive e-mail alerts from us, click on the "update my profile" button to add "Grace on the Margins" to your list. |
The majority of U.S.
The majority of U.S. Catholics now believe in (and practice) premarital sex, having children out of wedlock, marital infidelity, online hookups, and serial marriages/divorces. Their embrace of gays and lesbians may prove as flawed as their conscience and as fleeting as their values.
Upon what valid and reliable
Upon what valid and reliable statistical research do you base your meta-analysis, TT?
you're right TimT...because
you're right TimT...because until this corrupt generation, Catholics NEVER took part in those sinful acts and would recognize their christian duty to write off gay and lesbian people as perverted, non persons at all.
"Catholics NEVER took part in
"Catholics NEVER took part in those sinful acts and would recognize their christian duty to write off gay and lesbian people as perverted, non persons at all."
Really? NEVER? Where is your proof? or is this just your opinion, wish or delusion? Gay and lesbians are non-persons? Have you ever read the gospels? encountered Jesus? All of us are created in the image and likeness of God....and as distasteful as your comments are, so are you! If you get a chance pick up the scriptures and see how Jesus welcomes all the people who 'religious bigots' write off!
Cheers,
Javier, I'm pretty sure
Javier, I'm pretty sure "zach" was being sarcastic/tongue-in-cheek, and the comment was poking fun at TimothyT's comment.
Zach, My apologies if I
Zach,
My apologies if I misunderstood your remarks. As some of the posters have pointed out I may have misunderstood........please forgive me if this is the case. :)
Cheers,
Please look up the meaning of
Please look up the meaning of the word sarcasm.
sure, no problemo! :) Cheers,
sure, no problemo! :)
Cheers,
Javier, I think, you know,
Javier, I think, you know, maybe it was a joke? IT is so hard to tell without all of the usual paralinguistic clues, but, maybe, it was a joke?
Wow! gays and lesbians are
Wow! gays and lesbians are "non-persons." What an ignorant and bigotted comment. even the catacism states that gay and lesbain people should be treated with respect free from bigotry.
"The majority of U.S.
"The majority of U.S. Catholics now believe in (and practice) premarital sex, having children out of wedlock, marital infidelity, online hookups, and serial marriages/divorces."
___________________________________________
where is your source for this statement? What has that got to do with treating gay and lesbian people with respect?
Please read the Sermon on the Mount and the Good Samaritan and answer these questions.
Are gay and lesbian people our neighbors? How are we to treat our neighbors?
I look forward to your
I look forward to your articles, Jaime. Keep them coming!
aren't they all a great
aren't they all a great source of wisdom and of joy and of hope and of Faith?
no.
no.
then let me add this this
then let me add this this delimiter:
to those of a Christian heart . . .
come back inside the home, paul, the cold is coming on . . .
Grammick better watch & her
Grammick better watch & her p's & q's! She like Chittister got away with it under JPII. Chittister at least has been silent on the priestess issue so she should be okay with Benny. Grammick on the other hand has not be silent & continues to defend her unorthodox ministry to gays. The next time she is suummoned to Rome, it will be to expel her from religious life. Mark my words! Of course the whole farce of the "Sisters of Loretto" should be completely de-canonized but Benny is not paulte!
And you Paulte, seem to be
And you Paulte, seem to be salivating at the thought of her ex-communication, yes?
to be, as in the most curious
to be, as in the most curious case of the Reverend Father Tissa Balasuriya, swiftly rescinded . . .
Oh, yes. Too often, "paulte"
Oh, yes.
Too often, "paulte" has come across as a misogynist, and I'm far from the only blogger at NCROnline to pick up on his negative words about women.
recall his curious and
recall his curious and revelatory reference recently to his saintly mother . . .
displacement?
Her stubborn and arrogant
Her stubborn and arrogant refusal to humble herself before the Church speaks volumes about her "ministry" -- it's all about her. That much is clear from the fact that Father Nugent agreed to abide by the Church's discipline, but Sister Grammick did not, referring to it as "oppression".
It is specifically this type of behavior which leads to scandal among the faithful and led to the Holy See's visitation of the religious orders in the US.
CWG, Have you ever met Sister
CWG,
Have you ever met Sister Jeannine? I have known her for over 30 years. You obviously do not know her. The person you describe is not anything like the person I know.
"It is specifically this type
"It is specifically this type of behavior which leads to scandal among the faithful..."
I disagree; it's this type of behavior that leads to reform when reform is needed.
Perhaps in your brittley,
Perhaps in your brittley, bizarrely Nazi conception of Church hierachy, more Wagnerian than Christian, more of Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche than of Jesus, but in the actual, you know, one Holy Roman Catholic and Universal Church, God is Love, and who abides in Love abides with God and God in us.
Anyway, Nugent got punked. "It is specifically this type of behavior which leads to scandal among the faithful" and to our "oppression."
What "led to the Holy See's visitation of the religious orders in the US" was a weekend retreat by Rode with a bunch of wealthy simoniac sectarians in the USA, not the Holy Spirit of Love, and the Vatican is now swiftly backing off, replacing Rode, and struggling to recover the deep damage so unjustly done.
The favorite recourse of the
The favorite recourse of the progressives, compare everyone who disagrees with them to Nazis.
God is indeed Love, but that simple truth does not free us from abiding by and keeping His commands. Most parents love their children more than anything else in life, but they still expect those children to follow the rules that the parents establish. So too with God, He expects us to conform our lives to His will and His commands, not to go around willy nilly doing whatever feels good.
Christ specifically condemned even the lustful thought ("whoever looks at a woman with lust in his heart has committed adultery with her"), and yet, somehow we believe that Our Lord is totally fine with men sleeping with men, women sleeping with women, etc.? Of course not.
As Christians we can either call one another to be better than we are, to conform ourselves ever more closely to Christ, or we can simply say to our brothers and sisters, "you'll never be any better, just go ahead and do whatever you want". One of those approaches is based on genuine and authentic love, the other is not. One of those approaches requires courage, the other does not.
Which will you choose?
wojo, ratzo, where were they
wojo, ratzo, where were they in WWII? With whom did they hang out?
God, who is Love, requires of us the commandment to Love.
Jesus, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, came to make this more explicit to us in every way, to bid us Peace, to show that God is Love, and that we must Love unconditionally and without measure, without a second thought, no holding back, and to love above all those who are without love, the ones in the back of the Church who do not raise their heads for shame, unlike the pharissees up front in the cappa magnas. Jesus orders us to love the unloved, the enemy, the forgotten, the reject, the outcast, the horrible, the despicable, these such as me we must love, without measure, pressed down and spilling over, unconditionally, and that to whoever needs our coat we must also give our shirt. This we must do if we are following Jesus upon this harsh and poor and long lonesome pilgrim path to the Reign of God at all, at all, and not your penny pinching path to perdition.
It is all I can do to get myself to love, and to love more, even you, Clint, my brother, not to judge you, as Jesus commands us not to judge, but only to love you, with joy and true affection. Only receiving my love, unconditional, joyful, will you also come to love, not by my correcting your passing lack of love, but by coming to know, Clint, that you are loved and thus have the greater power to love, without a second thought, unconditionally, everyone, in a true and substantial way, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, healing the sick, sheltering the alien, freeing the imprisoned, caring for widows and orphans in our distress, and all of the rest.
Only to love. That is all and that is everything, and more than we can possibly do yet what we must do, what we are called always and ever to do.
Love.
Saint MAximillian Kolbe said that hate will not conquer love because hate does not create.
Create some love, Clint.
Just love.
and then teach me how, too!
Most parents also understand
Most parents also understand their children mature, start to think for themselves, and eventually leave home. The trouble with your analogy is that your God seems to want us not to mature, but to stay stuck at about eight years old.
Jesus's statement about lust about lust being a violation of an existing sexual relationship. His statement can apply equally to gays or straights, and in fact adultery in gay relationships is every bit as destructive as adultery in straight relationships. All we can say with certainty is that Jesus is not fine with anybody sleeping around behind the back of their committed partner. The rest is extrapolation.
Finally your entire thesis mandates we all equate Christ with the Church and the Church with Christ. Where does Jesus say that a Church He never envisioned is the same as Him?
"Her stubborn and arrogant
"Her stubborn and arrogant refusal to humble herself before the Church speaks volumes about her "ministry" -- it's all about her."
You know, the same thing can be said about Jesus--he didn't humble himself to the religious authorities of his culture and religious tradition---Jesus quite 'stubbornly' healed people on the Sabbath--had he humbled himself he could have just healed them on a Tuesday. Sr. Grammick is in good company!
Cheers,
Sorry, but it is not honesty
Sorry, but it is not honesty such as that exhibited by Sister Jeannine that creates scandal in the church. It is silence in the face of oppression, such as that demonstrated by bishops who were aware of sex abuse by priests and actively covered it up, that creates scandal. We need more like Sister Jeannine if the church is to be saved.
There you go again, "CWG",
There you go again, "CWG", confusing humility with a doormat.
Humility means being real, dealing with reality, standing on firm ground with one's convictions. It is not allowing oneself to be used as an ecclesial doormat by the powers-that-be (hey, dude, they cr@p like the rest of us).
The only "scandal" nowadays is Rome, the Vatican, Bennie & following.
The RCC better watch it's P's
The RCC better watch it's P's and Q's. It is TOO OFTEN GUILTY OF REPRESENTATION WITHOUT TAXATION!!! Religious interference in the secular field of politics is against the law . Start taxing the RCC. It has been playing ball in the political arena never buying a ticket or joining the club. Make the Bishops/Dioceses pay tax like the rest of us.
The loopholes the Obama admin needs to close is the loophole the RCC has been geting away with for so long and that is its tax exempt status. The american polity could use a little extra cash in the US coffers to reduce the defecit. It's not only good politics it's good economics! There is no more deserving group.
Thank You for this insightful
Thank You for this insightful and courageous article. Where and how does one find this film? Is it available on DVD. I would like to purchase it for the PFLAG library... and Yes that means Parents and friends of Lesbian and Gay people... Bless you
Thank you for your interest
Thank you for your interest in our award-winning documentary IN GOOD CONSCIENCE. Here's a link to purchase the film. Once you're on this page you can click on the Individual Copy purchase line or the one for Community, Library or University purchases. Thanks again!
http://www.ingoodconscience.com/site/order.php
That she even thinks in terms
That she even thinks in terms of "equal rights for gays and lesbians" shows she has no idea what she is talking about.Courses of action are not by nature "equal",and treating the wise no differently from the unwise is not a "right" of the unwise who are otherwise unfairly "unequal".To engage in sexual activity with someone of one's own sex is innately wrong and correction is always called for.To fail to demand correction of those who engage in the error is to be oneself in error,and constitutes an abandonment of the one in need of correction.
Lou writes the most obstruse
Lou writes the most obstruse semi-anonymous comment yet in " . . .treating the wise no differently from the unwise is not a "right" of the unwise who are otherwise unfairly "unequal"
Wisdom wants no special treatment. Jesus calls us to be the servant of all.
This is wisdom.
Or is Lou proposing "intelligence" testing as a measure for social status?
The rich fail every time.
Is this wwhat Jesus says: "To fail to demand correction of those who engage in the error is to be oneself in error,and constitutes an abandonment of the one in need of correction."
Correction, or loving compassion?
Jesus says
Love one another.
Peace be with you.
Feed the hungry.
Clothe the naked.
Free the imprisoned.
Heal the sick.
Call no one a fool,
In need of correction.
Love only.
Like the little children.
Jesus also said repent and
Jesus also said repent and sin no more. He also made it clear that those who did not repent and continued in their sin would wind up in hell. Jesus was of course compassionate. He was compassionate towards those who sinned and wanted to be more like him. He was not compassionate towards those who ignored him and continued in their sinful ways.
Matthew 3:2 Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near.
Matthew 5:20 For I tell you unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 7:14 For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life and there are few who find it.
Matthew 10:15 Truly I tell you it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement than for that town.
Matthew 11:20 Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been because they did not repent.
Matthew 12:36-37 I tell you on the day of judgement you will have to give an account of every careless word you utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
Matthew 13:41-42 The Son of Man will send his angels and they will collect out of his kindgom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 18:9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown in the hell of fire.
Matthew 22:14 For many are called but few are chosen
Matthew 25:45-46 Then he will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me." And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
Jesus says, Judge not. Jesus
Jesus says, Judge not.
Jesus says, Love thy enemies.
But who am I so proudly to speak, when we have the Reverend Father John Dear SJ writing excellent and comprehensible treatises on the Love and Peace of Jesus, including Jesus the Rebel and the Vow of Nonviolence.
All we can do is to love.
especially the unloved, especially the condemned.
Louis, think of it. So a
Louis, think of it. So a person with same sex attraction should either abstain from intimacy their whole life (I guess that is God's sadistic sense of humor,) or they should marry and lie to an opposite sex partner?
It starts with your understanding of God. What type of God do you propose: a god that would create and then condemn that which that god created? It's great philosophizing that you do; but practically and pastorally, it makes no sense. Listen to the experience of real people.
Well, then we should just let
Well, then we should just let the mass murderer continue on his spree. Or let the embezzler have all our bank account numbers and codes.
God gives all of us trials, some small, others large. It is how we glorify Him or offend Him by our actions and reactions.
As a divorced man, I must abstain from relations with other women. I don't like it, but once I vowed myself to my wife, I can't break that vow without offending Him.
"So a person with same sex
"So a person with same sex attraction should either abstain from intimacy their whole life"
Yes they are called to a life of celibacy. Celibacy is a great gift and is highly spoken of and endorsed in the Bible. Or they could attempt to change their sexual orientation. Despite misleading stories it has worked for many.
"a god that would create and then condemn that which that god created?"
God creates people and does not condemn them. They condemn themselves by giving in to their bestial desires rather than seeking God. If their genital satisfaction is more important to them than God then they have made their choice.
We are not infallible...God
We are not infallible...God did not create us incapable of doing wrong.To engage in sexual activity with someone of one's own sex is to do wrong.
Obviously, Louis E, NCR has
Obviously, Louis E, NCR has succumbed to your form of 'correction', as the moderator forbids me to refute your arguments. I will leave other readers to judge for themselves the blatant, breath taking arrogance of your comments.
It's OK gezzamac, My
It's OK gezzamac,
My rebuttal to Louis didn't make the cut either. Louis has a a history of delighting in bashing our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters--I thought my comments should have been allowed since Louis suggested that it was one's duty to correct those who are in error: "To fail to demand correction of those who engage in the error is to be oneself in error,and constitutes an abandonment of the one in need of correction." :)
Louis has "no idea of what he is talking about" and is able to post his opinion about Sr. Grammick without moderation???? Go figure!
Cheers,
What I "bash" is same-sex
What I "bash" is same-sex sexual activity,and the defense thereof by persons of any sexual orientation.
"What I "bash" is same-sex
"What I "bash" is same-sex sexual activity,and the defense thereof by persons of any sexual orientation."
Well, who put you in charge of 'bashing' anything? Your argument is not so clever. Gay and lesbian sexuality is intrinsic to these brothers and sisters--when you bash that you ARE bashing them. If you are (fill in the blank _________ ethnicity) and I bash that ethnicity am I not bashing you as well if you are this ethnicity?
Secondly, you 'bash' that activity with religious ideologies you do not believe in--you aren't Catholic nor Christian--is this just a pastime for you? having a bad week...let's bash the gays to feel better?
Cheers,
What I "bash" is same-sex
What I "bash" is same-sex sexual activity,and the defense thereof by persons of any sexual orientation.
As it appears my comments are being allowed again, this non-sensical notion that it is ok to be homosexual but not to indulge in homosexual acts, reminds me of Oliver Cromwell, much loved here in Ireland, who said that he had no objection to people being Catholics, as long as they didn't go to Mass.
You do puzzle me, Louis E. You told me elsewhere that you are not religious, and attack the Catholic Church's teaching on abortion, yet you seem to go all out in attacking two people of the same gender who engage in private, consensual sex. Why is this? You say that homosexual activity affects the common good? How? How does what two adults do, in private and with mutual consent, affect you, or anyone else, in the slightest? Is your argument a moral argument? If so, what is the basis of this morality?
Or is your zealotry on this subject the result of some unfortunate personal experience involving homosexuality? I think that if you are to continue to display such vehemence against the sexual activiities of others, which, in no way affects your well being, you have a duty to share your reasons.
....and as a sidenote, I
....and as a sidenote, I wonder if NCR is feeling a bit bad by denying my correction of Louis's comments which is an "abandonment of the one in need of correction." :)
Cheers,
It truly saddens we to read
It truly saddens we to read the comments that are anti-gay. There is plenty of proof that being gay is not a choice like marital infidelity or premarital sex. We are not talking a moral issue here. People who use the quotes from the bible to justify their views are uneducated about the life and times of the Old testament or in the time of Jesus. Very little was known about love, even between a man and a women. A women was the property of a man and nothing was known about genetics. Isn't it time to moderize archaic thinking?
"Isn't it time to moderize
"Isn't it time to moderize archaic thinking?"
Some things, even though archaic, are timeless. Murder was wrong in Old Testament times and it is still wrong, ditto for the rest of the 10 Commandments.
The author applauds Ms. Rick for "standing up to the Church." Assuming that all involved here (Rick, "Sister", and the author of this article) are Roman Catholics; don't they know that by "standing up to the Church" in defiance, they are defying Christ, since the Church is the mystical body of Christ?
What is to be applauded by defying Christ?
"Murder was wrong in Old
"Murder was wrong in Old Testament times and it is still wrong, ditto for the rest of the 10 Commandments."
so, why did the State of Texas just the other day murder a man who had been denied adequate representation in court, just a few days ago murdering him despite international outrage and legal action by the White House, thwarted by so-called pro-life "Catholics" on the US Supreme Court, defying Christ?
The Church is the Body of
The Church is the Body of Christ, the People of God.
However, the Church is not the institutional leadership, which too often seems to portray itself as Jesus personified.
WE are the Church.
Pope and bishops are not!
The (RC) Church is defined by
The (RC) Church is defined by the teachings of the Pope and bishops,and those who believe those teachings...not the beliefs of whoever claims to belong.
When you say anti gay I'm
When you say anti gay I'm assuming you are referring to those people who are enabling them and tellling them it's ok to put their souls in danger by committing homosexual acts. Those people encouraging them not to commit those sins are the ones who are truly compassionate towards people with same sex attraction.
I'm pretty sure my temptations toward adultery are rooted in genetics as well. But since we aren't animals we are called to overcome those tendencies to act like beasts. So while it may not be a choice of mine to want to indiscriminately spread my DNA it is something I am called to overcome.
"People who use the quotes from the bible to justify their views are uneducated about the life and times of the Old testament or in the time of Jesus."
Ok and how do you know that people who use the Bible are uneducated about the life and times of Jesus? Are you saying that it's best to ignore the Bible because anyone who quotes it is ipso facto uneducated about Biblical times? Or can I assume that anyone who agrees with you is automatically educated and anyone who disagrees is ignorant?
How well I remember the good
How well I remember the good nuns who taught my grade school classes. They were truly compassionate toward the left-handed children. They would not let them put their souls in danger by writing with their left hands. Plenty of tears from the children but the pencils were always switched to the right hand. There were no sinister children in my classes. Are we really all so young that we don't know about past prejudices and lives made so difficult because of the Bible?
As a Gay Man its amazing how
As a Gay Man its amazing how much Heterosexual people know about Gays. It would suprise you to know its NOT ALL ABOUT SEX, especially when you get older, its about a commited relationship. Not Porn. But yes their are sex addicts in all walks of life, but to lump all Gays together is not fair.
To engage in same-sex sexual
To engage in same-sex sexual activity IS a choice,and neither "being gay" nor anything else can justify that choice.It's entirely a moral issue.If you start treating the desire to do something as sufficient to justify it all codes of conduct will collapse.
Gay and Lesbian (sexually
Gay and Lesbian (sexually intimate) relationships are just as wrong as heterosexual intimate relationships outside the bonds of Holy Matrimony. Civil Unions will not change that. That is what the Church has always taught and it always will. Just because the majority of those who call themselves 'catholic' but who don't believe in the teachings of the Historical Church doesn't mean it is TRUTH.
I have friends and family who are Homo-Sexual. I love them... but I don't and won't ever believe that their acting on and promoting same sex attraction is good for them or good for Civilization.
In addition, I had the displeasure of sitting in the pew listening to Fr. Nugent preach. The man was so self impressed and arrogant it was embarrassing. He twisted scripture to make points that only made sense to himself. He also used his pulpit to ruin a perfectly beautiful Christmas Eve Mass and give a homily, not on the reality of Christ's birth but on how wrong his "enemies" were.
He drove so many from the parish it was a shame.
Jamie, Thanks for this great
Jamie,
Thanks for this great article on Sr. Jeannine Grammick.
I found a longer version of Sr Jeannine's comments both very exciting and very important, in that it clarifies the radical depth and expanse of Sister's stand. "I choose not to collaborate in my own oppression by restricting a basic human right [to speak]. To me this is a matter of conscience".
This is, for me, the deepest, most radical and most Christian meaning of actions of religious men and women like Sister Grammick, Father Roy Bourgeois, Sister Joan Chittester, Father John J McNeill.
Simply put, we cannot "be the hands and feet of Christ" on earth if we consent to have our voices restricted.
I think of three of the great poet-radical Audre Lorde's famous statements:
"Your silence will not protect you", from her essay "The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action", in Sister Outsider
and
“When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid” in The Cancer Journals.
and
"The master's tools will never dismantle the master's house", in her essay "The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House", in Sister Outsider
I do NOT want to see the Catholic Church dismantled. I would like to see dismantled the system and dynamics that allow the instituional Church to believe the Gospels call for the silencing of the voices of God's children.
As I have written elsewhere on this site, I believe that such clear statements from men and women like Sr Grammick and Fr Roy of the Maryknolls -statements that coincide with a worldwide move toward freedom of speech - may reflect a critical dynamic in vocations work for the Church. The Church has
been silencing its religious men and women forever but never before has there been this clarity around the world that one's voice is one's dignity and one's freedom.
This is not about politics or specific issues, which I believe is important. I happen to be in sympathy with Sr Jeannine, Fr Roy, Sr Joan and Fr John, and I do not think it a coincidence that these religious men and women have have been targets of efforts to silence them on issues about women and sexual orientation. Those issues are, at root, about the Gospel issues of the dignity and freedom of all God's children.
The radical issue is the (multidimensional) VOICE of the individual child of God, that sacred instrument by which Jesus changed the world.
Restrict the voice and you restrict Christ on earth. This is ultimately why I ended my discernment of religious life. To borrow from Sr Jeannine Grammick:
"I choose not to collaborate in my own oppression [and that of others and, most especially those closest to Christ's heart: the stranger, the poor, the outcast] by restricting a basic human right [to speak]. To me this is a matter of conscience".
This is a matter of conscience.
This is a matter of human dignity and freedom.
This, then, is a matter of Preparing the Way of the Lord.
Jean Brookbank
Mission to Voice out1 I fully
Mission to Voice out1
I fully agree with you Jean Brookbank, " The radical issue is the (multidimensional) VOICE of the individual child of God, that sacred instrument by which Jesus changed the world.
Restrict the voice and you restrict Christ on earth. This is ultimately why I ended my discernment of religious life. To borrow from Sr Jeannine Grammick:
"I choose not to collaborate in my own oppression [and that of others and, most especially those closest to Christ's heart: the stranger, the poor, the outcast] by restricting a basic human right [to speak]. To me this is a matter of conscience".
This is a matter of conscience.
This is a matter of human dignity and freedom.
This, then, is a matter of Preparing the Way of the Lord!
Lets continue our bold mission to end the discernment of religious life, which seems to support the Old Boys club to perpetuate the slave trade of religious women.
Dear Anon - I would be sorry
Dear Anon -
I would be sorry if my satement was understood as reflective of any desire on my part to end discernment of religious life.
An extraordinary, intelligent, empowered and holy woman was welcomed last week into the beautiful community with which I was discerning and would have gratefully, happily joined had my path not revealed itself it to be other: the Dominican Sisters of Peace (www.oppeace.org).
Having shared a discernment group and many retreats with her and our beloved OPPs, I feel nothing but a profound sense of joy and "rightness" about her desire and decision to enter this community. Indeed, it is with sadness that I have found myself unable to follow her footsteps and those of all the extraordinary Sisters who have committed their lives to Jesus' ministry. I pray that I may be able to join them as an Associate, thus acknowledging the gift of their influence and love in my life while also working in the spirit, wisdom and courage of the work and relationship to which they have committed their lives.
I intend no criticism of those women who have already, are now and will in the future answer the call to Religious Life. Indeed, I am crystal clear and gratefully so that I would not be able to hear my own call had those amazing Sisters and my friend who is now a candidate failed to answer THEIR call to Religious Life. Because they found THEIR place in the Church, I am finding mine. Had they walked away from THEIR vocations, I may never have found mine.
So, I absolutely am not promoting an end to discernment of Religious Life and thank you, anon, for prompting me to that clarification.
Vocation is profoundly individual and driven by God's Holy Spirit. That is as much as I know about anyone's vocation. I am responding to my own by taking this path and that my dear friend is responding to hers by entering the Dominican Sisters of Peace. God forgive me if ever I began to presume to know another's vocation. My dear Sister-friends at OPPeace taught me that humility, and so much more. I am so grateful they live their vocation in a way that invited me to live mine. They are truly holy women, and I would not wish them out of their lives for anything in the world.
Peace to you, anon.
Jean
Last thought, Anon. Some of
Last thought, Anon. Some of us called to work for change by working within systems and some of us are called to work for change by working from without. I think those two locations for agents of change very often require different skill sets, different strengths, different dispositions, etc. On this score as well, God forgive me if I ever begin to presume where/how another will be the best change agent they are capable of being. For decades, people have told me that I should be working for change from within the systems I would see grow and changed. I am - at almost 50 - know best where I belong in the world, and I tend to be most effective as a "Sister Outsider", ala Audre Lorde. The world - and the Roman Catholic Church - needs "Sister Insiders" and "Sister Outsiders" and, mercifully, God's Holy Spirit seems to keep pulling us all along until we find the best location in which to be who we called to be.
Jean
Well stated Jean. Now I know
Well stated Jean. Now I know what to call myself--a sister outsider. It's not a bad place to be.
Thanks, Jean. Yours is
Thanks, Jean. Yours is an excellent addition to the conversation.
.
This article could have given
This article could have given us a short summary of Gramick and her actions over the years. I have a vague idea that she has supported the GL agenda, but how specifically? I guess the author thinks we are all gaga over Gramick and know all about her. Does she support gay so-called marriage, does she just want us to love the sinner (all of us), or what? When she refers to Gramick's "friend", is that supposed to be code for something else? When the filmmaker has the praying hands right in the center of the frame, frankly that just sounds like the biggest cliche in the book. I'm not feeling compelled to watch it anytime soon....
Why do you think Gramick
Why do you think Gramick never has been excommunicated? I bet it's because New Ways Ministry is sitting on a boatload of dirt about the depraved homosexual conduct of many a priest and bishop.
If your statement is true,
If your statement is true, why didn't they use their information when Bourgeois was expelled from Maryknoll?
I love separating "holy
I love separating "holy anger of the prophet from destructive anger." Sr. Jeannine is indeed a prophet, one who mirrors Jesus for us in her fidelity to those who are gay and her recognition of their gifts. Just what Jesus would do.
Thanks for this magnificent article.
SHEER BRILLIANCE: “Anger that
SHEER BRILLIANCE:
“Anger that eats you up inside and makes you feel badly about yourself and the person you’re angry at,” she says, is unhealthy for the spirit. “But anger that makes you want to do something positive, anger that ‘puts gas in your tank’ is the type of anger that leads to justice.”
Thank you, Sister, for putting GAS in our TANKS!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw3KM91jyzg
The church must always
The church must always emphasize sacramental marriage and to have a woman religious lead others to believe that gay sexual relationships will one day become sacramental is an abuse of her position as a Catholic nun.
Leaders like her rebuked the church's stance on birth control and divorce, and the church still has not changed her teachings and we have come to accept it.
We must face a reality - the church's teachings regarding the right place for sexual itimacy will always be counter cultural regardless of opinion polls or the views of those who dissent from official church teaching and discipline.
As other religious have learned, the more definant and hostile the professed person becomes the more likeliness the hierarchy will respond in kind. They must act in good conscience but within the communion of the church, which is something that many tend to overlook. And if her "communion" only refers to her Sisters of Loreto convent, then maybe they as well have moved "beyond Jesus and the Church."
It is like a chess game. The hierarchy really tolerates a lot of differences until their backs are up against the wall and are given no other choice but respond.
Another exmaple of an elderly
Another exmaple of an elderly Catholic mired in the seventies. She, Fiedler, Joan C, Kennedy, and O'Brien to name a few will eventually be gone and the good news is no one will replace them. The young Catholic of today rejects their misguided rheology.
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