PRESS RELEASE: Equally Blessed Sends Congratulations to Archbishop-Designate Cupich, Encourage Him to Reach Out to LGBT Catholics

Equally Blessed Sends Congratulations to Archbishop-Designate Cupich, Encourage Him to Reach Out to LGBT Catholics

November 17, 2014. Members of Equally Blessed, a coalition of Catholic organizations committed to equality and justice for LGBT people, sent the following letter to Archbishop-Designate Cupich congratulating him on his upcoming installation as Archbishop of Chicago:

Dear Archbishop-Designate Most Rev. Blase J. Cupich,

As members of the Equally Blessed coalition, we were delighted to hear of your appointment to become the next Archbishop of Chicago. We are hopeful that you are open to the dialogue necessary to repair a broken relationship between the institutional Church and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Catholics and their families and friends in the Chicago metropolitan area.

It is unfortunate that recent history in the diocese has been rife with much pain, hurt, and anger in the LGBT community at large and especially so among LGBT Catholics and our families. References to the Ku Klux Klan and Sharia Law, for example, have failed to engender good will and trust. LGBT Catholics from every walk of life, diverse in race and ethnicity, cultures and up-bringing, economic class and other characteristics, have been affected by this harmful witness.

The Chicago area has a faithful, vibrant LGBT community which yearns for a more loving, compassionate, and understanding episcopate. In addition, Chicago’s Catholic population is supportive of LGBT justice and equality for their brothers and sisters in faith. There is promise, we believe, that a new pastoral approach can be fashioned between your leadership and LGBT Catholics and allies in the vicinity, one that is focused on our shared call to serve in a city overwhelmed with need.

We encourage you to reach out to, listen with, and get to know the many LGBT voices in the city. LGBT Catholics have much to offer the Church and its mission. If we can be of assistance in facilitating meetings with Catholic LGBT groups please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Our local constituents look forward to these conversations and the opportunity for dialogue and healing.

Finally, please know of our continued prayers for both you and for Cardinal George during this time of transition. As the local church begins anew under your leadership, we are confident God’s abundant love and the Spirit’s renewing presence is at work in our church and world.

Sincerely,

Jim FitzGerald
Executive Director, Call to Action

Marianne Duddy-Burke
Executive Director, DignityUSA

Deb Word
President, Fortunate Families

Francis DeBernardo
Executive Director, New Ways Ministry

Sr. Jeannine Gramick, SL
Founder, New Ways Ministry

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Contact: Ryan Hoffmann
574-675-6726/ryan@cta-usa.org