Robert Anderson

The Mining Journal’s recent editorial on the rights of LGBTQ Catholics to participate in the Catholic faith asks all parties to “try to understand the other’s point of view.”

As a member of Concerned Catholics of the Diocese of Marquette, my goal here is to provide readers with an understanding of why we oppose Bishop John Doerfler’s controversial 12-page policy that denies fellow Catholics, whose sexuality or gender are considered different, the same participation rights in the Catholic faith that other Catholics enjoy.

Press reports in December 2021 viewed his instruction as harsh, judgmental–and out-of-step with the more conciliatory and loving approach of Pope Francis who once said, “Who am I to judge?”

I can confirm that Concerned Catholics made an honest effort to understand the bishop’s instruction. We even attended two respectful listening sessions. Our members are active in most every parish ministry, some are LGBTQ and three are former educators of Father Marquette School.

Last year, we collected 175 signatures in a petition asking the bishop to soften his restrictions. The bishop refused. You can judge for yourself whether our points make sense.

The bishop came armed with numerous books and Scripture, such as the Old Testament’s story of Sodom and Gomorrah that condemned homosexuality. But we pointed out that Jesus himself in the four Gospels never condemned homosexuals–rather His ministry was universal–excluding no one–welcoming even the lame, blind, lepers, non-Jews, and prostitutes.

Today, many 21st century Catholic, Protestant and Jewish theologians contend that the Bible’s anti-homosexual verses–written 2,000 to 3,000 years ago, should be interpreted in their historical context. Then homosexuality was the reprehensible pagan practice of forced homosexuality, unlike the mutual long-term loving relations of today’s same-sex couples.

Concerned Catholics believe that no single Christian denomination–not even our own, can claim that they exclusively know God’s will. We ask our Catholic bishop to reverently reflect upon the criticism of two other Upper Peninsula bishops–published by Mining Journal.

Bishop Katherine Finnegan of the ECL Lutheran Church wrote, “It grieves me that pastoral leaders should withhold the sacrament of baptism because a person does not “repent” of being LGBTQ. Every person is within the reach of God’s mercy.”

Bishop Rayford Ray of the Episcopal Diocese wrote, “We are saddened by the news that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette has called upon its clergy to withhold baptism and other sacraments from persons who are transgender and non-binary until they deny their personhood and repent of who they are. This does not respect the loving, liberating life-giving God we know.”

Concerned Catholics acknowledge that the bishop’s “accompaniment” approach has merit. But most LGBTQ Catholics oppose the bishop’s version of accompaniment because its goal is conversion of the person into permanent abstinence.

A more effective and welcoming program for LGBTQ Catholics is New Ways Ministries–a program that Pope Francis blessed in a letter to Sister Jeannine Gramick (Washington Post, 2022). We suggest the bishop reach out to New Ways Ministries.

Concerned Catholics also objects to the top-down approach the bishop used in writing his instruction. There was no input from parish priests, parishioners, nor from any LGBTQ Catholics, the most affected group. In contrast, Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston is using an inclusive bottom-up drafting committee to write a policy that includes input from a young transgender. (National Catholic Reporter, 2023). We suggest the bishop select a broadly representative committee to review his policy.

Finally, the instruction is divisive, polarizing and results in young Catholics leaving the Church. In the parishes we attend, we found little support for the bishop’s instruction. The author’s two children graduated from Father Marquette Schools.

For them, the church’s anti-homosexual tradition seems out-of-touch with reality. While they are not gay themselves, they believe that being gay is a fixed identity that cannot be changed and doesn’t harm anyone. They were shocked by the bishop’s instruction and decided not to attend mass. Their fellow Catholic school graduates agree. We hope the bishop will act to repair the damage.

No other diocese in Michigan has such a LGBTQ policy. We need to follow good Pope Francis. After all, “who are we to judge?”

If you agree with Concerned Catholics, let the bishop and local priests know, and support parish efforts to better welcome LGBTQ people of faith.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Robert Anderson of Marquette is a member of St. Michael Church.