Strictly orthodox Catholic teaching is that “homosexuals” are to be treated with respect, compassion and sensitivity - but the obvious conflicts and contradictions with other elements of the disordered Catholic teaching on the subject, means that in practice, examples of sound pastoral practice and constructive ministry to LGBT Catholics are few and far between. There are the few high - profile “gay Masses” of Soho and the Castro, SanFransiscom which have immense value for their congregations- but these have the taint of the ghetto, and are of limited value to the thousands more who are unable (or unwilling) to make the possibly lengthy journeys to attend them. Then there are rather more, less well known, that are working at local level to make themselves explicitly welcoming and LGBT friendly. There are not nearly enough of these, but the examples they set deserve to be carefully considered, and repeated.

One of the best examples I have come across, is from South Africa, in the parish of the Holy Trinity, Braamfontein, Johannesburg (which just happens to have been my own home parish, from decades ago when I was a university student, and more recently, when my partner and I were regular and active parishioners for something like ten years - including four years serving openly as a couple on the parish council).

But if that, and the present strong LGBT ministry, lead you to the conclusion that this another of those obvious candidates for queer support in a gay enclave of Johannesburg, thing again. Far from some kind of gay ghetto, the immediate neighbourhood on one side is an office precinct of the CBD, and on the other a university campus. As this is not a primarily residential university, with most students commuting, the neighbourhood is pretty quiet over weekends - and with the high levels of crime Johannesburg’s CBD, night - life not too attractive.

What the neighbourhood does contain, is a large population of homeless people - and it is here that the LGBT ministry had its origins. For decades, the parish has had a significant ministry to the homeless, with a feeding scheme, and a range of spin-off activities. When I was there, these included voter training and registration in preparation for the country’s first democratic election. Later, there developed an HIV / Aids ministry (this is Africa, remember) , serving both the homeless and the student populations. This was the origin of the LGBT ministry, as I learned this week. The parish priest, Fr Russell Pollitt, is at present visiting the UK, and last week I met him over an enjoyable pub lunch, when he shared with me some of the history and present operation of the group.

Some time ago, he had reminded the Parish Pastoral Council that their main purpose was pastoral - his expectation was that they should help him to identify the pastoral needs of the parish. One young man, who was already involved in the HIV/Aids work, came to him later, and said he thought there was a need to branch out into ministry to the lesbian and gay population. Group members are mostly Black, some from the rest of Africa, where coming out presents very real physical danger, and even outright rejection by their families. Although it functions as a group, the emphasis is to avoid forming a gay ghetto: the intention is integration within the parish. As with other recognized parish groups, one member serves as a representative on the parish council. At least some of the events arranged by the group are open to the full parish. For example, the group hosted a screening of “For The Bible Tells Me So“. Some parishioners, opposed to the principle of explicitly LGBT ministry, attended expecting to hold the traditional line - but ended by saying, ”I’ll have to rethink my opinions” on the Biblical message.

The parish boundaries include part of the route for Johannesburg’s annual gay pride march. Group members joined the march, wearing t-shirts identifying themselves as from the parish, and carrying a cross. They invited Fr Pollitt to join them - and he did so.

In his book “Setting the Table” on models of ministry for LGBT Catholics, Fr James Schexnayder, starting from completely orthodox statements on pastoral care by the Vatican and Bishops’ Conferences, concludes that ministry is most effective when lesbian and gay people are active and visible in the parish community, at all levels and in all aspects. This is precisely what Holy Trinity have achieved. Yet, in discussing his achievements, Fr Pollitt said to me his concern was to work out what more he could do!

Some of the “more” he is doing, is promoting ministry beyond his own parish. His work is well known among his fellow priests of his deanery and diocese - some of whom are strongly supportive, and others equally strongly opposed. Good work has a way of spreading, so perhaps there will be other parishes in Johannesburg that will be motivated to begin something similar. He has also written on the subject, for “The Southern Cross” (South African’s only Catholic weekly newspaper). Here are some extracts:

Is it time for a pastoral response to homosexuality in South Africa?

I am appalled to read, yet again, in our newspapers about the “corrective” rape and murder of a thirteen year old girl because she was a lesbian. “Corrective rape” is the rape of lesbians which intends “correcting” them – i.e. making them heterosexual. This idea is bizarre, it is as ludicrous as “sleeping with a virgin to cure HIV”. This is the second time in as many months that this has taken place in our country. Last month a twenty-four year old was stoned to death on Gauteng’s East Rand because she was lesbian. A few years ago the country was shocked at the widespread xenophobic attacks which left many people dead; we ought to be shocked again, and disgusted, at the current wave of homophobic attacks. Committed to the dignity of persons and absolute right to life we, the Church, cannot but condemn these barbaric killings. However, we might also ask what responsibility religion (including Christianity) has in creating an underlying intolerance of homosexual people which can contribute to such appalling actions.

In my role as a pastor I have often been confronted with fundamentalist views and interpretations of the Scriptures and Church teachings. A whole argument is sometimes built around a single phrase or line – be that in Sacred Scripture or the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It is interesting to note that, just last week, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged the Church to read the Scriptures as a whole and be careful about taking single phrases or expressions as the be all and end all. Ignorance of what the Church really teaches is a serious disability and I fear that Christian (and Catholic) fundamentalist approaches (with a good dollop of ignorance) can contribute to the kind of homophobic attacks we have witnessed in this country……

Much has been done for marginalised and vulnerable groups, like HIV/AIDS, in the South African Church. Others, like gay people, have not had the same care. I was reflecting recently after a meeting with students how far we have come in awareness and talking about HIV/AIDS. Two HIV positive people came to address the students and answered any questions they had. They spoke openly about their lives and the journey they had traveled. I could not imagine two people telling a group of strangers about their HIV status (and how they got there) ten years ago. It was taboo, people lived in fear and revealing your positive HIV status was simply not an option. ……. I cannot but help wonder if it is because of the clear and strong statements (made by amongst others the Church) about HIV and the work that is being done that have brought about a significant shift in awareness and greater openness in talking about HIV. ……. It’s a ministry we can be proud of. Granted, we have not arrived and still have much to do but much is already being done and a shift has taken place.

The Church, at her best, has the capacity to change minds and hearts and in so doing truly be a sign of hope and joy. Are we willing to bring hope and joy to our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters by responding as the Good Shepherd would?

-full article at Southern Cross

Finally, here’s the parish’s own description of the LGBT ministry, taken from tits website:

What Is Life Like If You Or Someone In Your Family Is Gay Or Lesbian In Their Sexual Orientation?

“As a group that has suffered more than its share of oppression and contempt , the homosexual community has a particular claim on the concern of the Church.” - Catholic Social Welfare Commission, 1979.

At Holy Trinity we seek to be welcoming and inclusive to all and have a particular concern for those who, in any way, feel that they are on the margins of the Church.

Being welcomed and being invited to participate in their local faith community is the foundation of spiritual support that the Church offers to all baptised persons.

As a parish, what can we do? We can take a number of steps to ensure that individuals and families feel welcome. To begin:

• take time to inform ourselves of what the Church and read good Catholic writings on the subject
• be aware of how marginalised some individuals (and families) feel because of their (or a family member’s) homosexual orientation
• avoid stereotyping and condemning. It is so easy for us to do this and very painful to anyone who is stereotyped or condemned
• remember that homophobic jokes and asides can be cruel and hurtful; a careless words can mean another experience of rejection and pain. Reject homophobic jokes and refuse to be party to them in social circles and places of work
• help educate others, especially children, so as to stop homophobic attitudes and prejudice. Young people must know that these are not Christian attitudes and therefore not acceptable. Lead by example!
• assist in anyway you can to be welcoming to others, especially those who are near to our community. This helps us grow into a welcoming, friendly and sensitive community

“Church policies should explicitly reject unjust discrimination and harassment of any persons, including those with a homosexual inclination. Procedures should be in place to handle complaints.” – Ministry to Persons with Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral Care. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. November 14, 2006.

Books:

• Schexnayder, James A: Setting the Table

DVD:

• For The Bible Tells Me So
• Through My Eyes

Related articles

• The Pentecost Celebration of Diversity, and the Holy Spirit.
• Queer Self- Ministry: Transforming the Churches
• Remembering Fr. Howard Hall, Pioneer of Catholic LGBT Ministry
• Lay Catholics Stand Up for Gay Marriage
• What Gay Catholics Have Done: Parish Ministry
• Equality Forum Religious Colloquy to Explore LGBT Catholic Activism
• Italian Cardinals Support IDAHO Prayer Vigils

• ALL ARE WELCOME: St. Nicholas Parish Celebrates 10 Years of LGBT Ministry (newwaysministryblog.wordpress.com)