To the Journal editor:

Once again, the people’s pope has spoken. “Along with many Catholic priests, I will now be delighted to bless my friends in same-sex marriages,” he said via email.

My feeling is that tt is a baby step but a step in the correct direction. Jesus was accepting of all people. Not exclusionary. It’s time the Upper Peninsula catches up with the rest of the world.

I miss my church. I miss communing and ministering through music and liturgy. I was honored and proud the parishioners voted me as a liaison to our bishop, priest and deacons as a member of the parish council.

But within a year I would feel heartbroken, misguided, unloved and shunned. Where was my church and its leaders when I needed them the most? These were my thoughts when my life fell apart 10 years ago.

Some of you reading this might remember a private ceremony of commitment — not marriage — that took place in my backyard. It was a beautiful day, a day to gather with friends and family, a day to announce 30 years of love and dedication.

At that time, Michigan was one of the states holding out on allowing same sex marriage. Our day went viral and world wide. The conflict ended with me resigning from the parish council where I was elected by the parishioners, ended me giving ministry in any way, be it as a lector, cantor or participating in any choir.

Several days later, many folks walked out and days later held a prayer vigil in our honor on the sidewalk surrounding St. Michael.

It was a hurtful contentious time. I’m happy to report however that my husband, Don, and I survived with the support of friends and family This year we are celebrating 40 years together, 10 years legal thanks to the Supreme Court.

The latest ruling fleshes out the opening the pope made to blessing same-sex couples last October and marks a shift away from a 2021 ruling from the Vatican doctrine office which barred any blessings, saying God “cannot bless sin.”

What I gleaned most from the announcement was this: The pope, as the ruling stated, has insisted that the church cannot simply become “judges who only deny, reject, and exclude,” and needs to have a broader understanding of blessings.

Judged, denied, rejected and excluded. I can certainly relate. That is exactly how I felt then.

As I wrote this, the irony that the pope would shun surrogacy is beyond my comprehension. I am involved deeply with a surrogate a young women we all call our “Angel” who gave us a miracle child that would not otherwise be possible.

I love her and am beyond thankful we found a surrogate who wanted to know us. She is the prime example of how surrogacy works. She is a member of our family and hers with ours. It’s unconditional love for life.

I’m so very fortunate. No matter what life and others throw at me, I catch it, learn from it and try to move on. With faith in my heart and with my loving family, friends and husband by my side.

Luckily for me, the outpouring of support included letters from other churches bishops and priests across the United States and beyond. I love to travel to other states and participate as a parishioner, lecture and cantor, especially in Las Vegas where I visit a lot. Hopefully, someday I’ll be able to do the same again at home, in my church in Marquette.

BOBBY GLENN BROWN

Marquette