Reaching Out --- at least Across the Pond

At the first of our Parish Lecture Series presentations, the topic was the recently published document of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops focused upon ministering to one segment of the Catholic population: our gay sisters and brothers.

Just recently the Diocese of Westminster (London, England) produced a document that has had its impact in Europe and is just making itself known and read in the Americas.

My blogger friend, Rocco Palmo, has an interesting article Over In Sohoabout the document. I have "lifted" the first paragraph from Whispers In The Loggia so that you can link to the document. But I would recommend your reading the observations etc. from the one of the leading young Catholic spokesmen in the United States. I suggest it as a worthwhile read for us to learn how the Church is addressing what is a painful issue for many.

And speaking of Rocco Palmo and his work, I wonder when one of our Catholic Colleges or Universities is going to be bold enough to honor this young man with an honorary doctorate. When I read about some of the honors given by some colleges, I know this man has done so much more good for the Church. I would like to levy from this rather inconspicuous blog the challenge to any Catholic College to consider investing their name and wisdom in honoring Dr. Rocco Palmo at their graduation. It would be a daring move on the part of a college or university. Yet it would speak volumes to the young men and women sitting in the sweating sun, wearing those caps and gowns. "One of our own generation" is up there being honored today. And, the pride for us all is that this is a man who believes with all that he has in his faith! Enough now lest the young man become full of himself!!!

Two Sides of Soho
The recent agreement struck by the archdiocese of Westminster with a group of gay Catholics to merge rival liturgies in London's West End had garnered a significant amount of attention on both sides of the Pond since its publication last month.