Meetings explore ministry, teaching on homosexuality

The meetings, which are open to anyone seeking support within the Church as they deal with a loved one's homosexuality, grew out of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops' pastoral message to parents of homosexual children, "Always Our Children," released in 1997.

After the release of the document, the Diocese hosted an informational meeting for priests and pastoral associates. The upcoming regional meetings will provide Catholics with the opportunity to comment on the document as well as to express their needs for future ministry efforts.

Pastoral approach

"The pastoral said parents should continue to love their child," she said. "Pastors have been saying this for years and years. It's been dealt with. The Church has addressed it, although it's been quieter and more one-on-one."

The regional meetings will help the Family Life Office determine what kind of support is needed by the parishes from the Diocese. "We will not determine what people need," Sister Kay explained. "We'll ask them what they need. If they want a support group, we'll help them set one up. If they want resources, we can set that up for them as well."

Church teaching

"The Church is saying that this is a person," Sister Kay said. "We need to love and respect the whole person."

Sister Kay said American culture has a range of attitudes about homosexuality. "There are people who believe [homosexual persons] should get counseling and change," she said. "The other group says the Church doesn't go far enough" in accepting them.

(The first regional meeting will be held April 22 at St. Vincent's Church in Cobleskill. Meetings will also be held on April 26 at Holy Family Church in Little Falls; on April 29 at St. Vincent's Church in Albany; on May 24 at St. Patrick's Church in Catskill; and on May 25 at St. Mary's Church in Glens Falls. All meetings are 7-9 p.m. For information, contact the Family Life Office at 453-6677.)

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