On three continents, the past week or so has seen several major developments advancing marriage: In North America: the US Supreme Court announced its intention to hear appeals on two cases, one on DOMA, and another on California’s Proposition 8.…
Monthly Archives: December 2012
Born Today: Vida Dutton Scudder, American Lesbian Saint for Our Times
Vida Dutton Scudder is a rare example of a modern lesbian who is a recognized Christian saint (recognized by the US Episcopal Church, not the Roman Catholics). Her work and message are particularly relevant to the twentieth century, as we…
Let Us Remember, for Dec 14th: Two Queer Saints
St Venantius Fortunatus, Italian Bishop and Homoerotic Poet Like Paulinus of Nola, St Veantius’s poetry includes some decidedly secular verse of the romantic sort. That this celebrates male love is clear from its inclusion in the Penguin Book o Homosexual Verse. (Read more) St…
Illinois Catholic Conference: Misrepresenting 4 Million Catholics.
With the recent stunning success in the US elections of initiatives to extend marriage and to elect openly LGBT representatives, there has been extensive speculation around which states will be next to follow the lead. Some possibilities include Rhode Island, Delaware,…
My Radio Career Goes International (UPDATED)
Later today, I’ll be heading into London, to participate in a radio panel discussion on the government proposals to introduce marriage equality - including provision for same - sex marriage on religious premises. Here’s the oddity: we’re talking a proposal…
Equal Marriage, in Church: UK Government Proposal
The British government has now released its formal response to the consultation on equal marriage, and the result is possibly more favorable to equality than we could have anticipated a few months ago. The original terms of reference for the consultation ruled…
The Catholic Spring: Ferment in Switzerland
One of the disadvantages of English as a home language, is that too often it leaves us linguistically challenged in other tongues, and as a result all too ignorant of developments in the wider world (outside, that is, the UK,…
2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C: Integrity and Repentance - Free of the Closet!
For the second Sunday of Advent, a reflection by Bob Shine of New Ways Ministry - Mountains made low, valleys raised up The readings for the second Sunday of Advent are Baruch 5:1-9, Philippians 1:4-6,8-11, and Luke 3:1-6. You can…
UK Churches will host same-sex marriages
Prime Minister insists religious groups would not be forced to conduct ceremonies but added he didn’t want gay people ‘excluded’ from marrying in places of worship. Plans for gay couples to be allowed to marry in churches or other religious…