U.S. Bishops Condemn Homosexual Activist �New Ways Ministry� and Warn the Faithful

By Deacon Keith Fournier
2/6/2010
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

�No one should be misled by the claim that New Ways Ministry provides an authentic interpretation of Catholic teaching.'

Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I, the archbishop of Chicago and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) � Among the notorious dissenters from the clear teaching of the Catholic Church concerning homosexual practice is an organization called �New Ways Ministry�. The group explains its mission on its web site as �a gay-positive ministry of advocacy and justice for lesbian and gay Catholics and reconciliation within the larger Christian and civil communities.�

They have actively and aggressively opposed efforts to defend marriage against attacks by homosexual equivalency activists seeking to redefine it. This is in direct opposition to the formal support of these defense of marriage efforts by the Catholic Church and the crystal clarity of the teaching of the Church.

They openly and aggressively foster dissent within the Catholic Church and cause scandal and confusion. They have been publicly and repeatedly reprimanded by the Church. In fact, two of their former leaders, a priest and a religious sister, were ordered to resign their positions with the organization and separate themselves from any involvement with the organization.

Among their corrosive efforts is the listing of what they call �gay Friendly Parishes� and �gay Friendly Colleges� within the Catholic Church in the United States. In effect, "New Ways Ministry" is a homosexual activist group which openly opposes Catholic teaching while continuing to present themselves as a Catholic organization.

On Friday, February 5, 2010, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, through Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I, the archbishop of Chicago and president of the Conference, issued the following statement on the status of the organization "New Ways Ministry":

*******

�New Ways Ministry is an organization based in Mount Rainier, Maryland, that describes itself as "a gay-positive ministry of advocacy and justice for lesbian and gay Catholics and reconciliation within the larger Christian and civil communities."

From the time of the organization's founding in 1977, serious questions have been raised about the group�s adherence to Church teaching on homosexuality. In 1984, the archbishop of Washington denied New Ways Ministry any official authorization or approval of its activities.

�At that time, he forbade the two co-founders of New Ways Ministry, Sr. Jeannine Gramick, SSND, and Fr. Robert Nugent, to continue their activities in the Archdiocese of Washington. In the same year, Sr. Gramick and Fr. Nugent were ordered by their superiors to separate themselves from New Ways Ministry.

�Although they resigned from leadership posts, they continued their involvement in New Ways Ministry activities until 1999, when the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith declared that because of errors and ambiguities in the approach of Sr. Gramick and Fr. Nugent they are permanently prohibited from any pastoral work involving homosexual persons.

�In reference to his decision not to grant any approval or authorization to New Ways Ministry in the 1980s, Archbishop James Hickey of Washington cited the organization's lack of adherence to Church teaching on the morality of homosexual acts.

�This was the central issue in the subsequent investigation and censure of the founders of New Ways Ministry, Sr. Jeannine Gramick and Fr. Robert Nugent. This continues to be the crucial defect in the approach of New Ways Ministry, which has not changed its position after the departure of the cofounders.

�New Ways Ministry has recently criticized efforts by the Church to defend the traditional definition of marriage as between one man and one woman and has urged Catholics to support electoral initiatives to establish same-sex "marriage."

�No one should be misled by the claim that New Ways Ministry provides an authentic interpretation of Catholic teaching and an authentic Catholic pastoral practice. Their claim to be Catholic only confuses the faithful regarding the authentic teaching and ministry of the Church with respect to persons with a homosexual inclination.

�Accordingly, I wish to make it clear that, like other groups that claim to be Catholic but deny central aspects of Church teaching, New Ways Ministry has no approval or recognition from the Catholic Church and that they cannot speak on behalf of the Catholic faithful in the United States.�

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

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1 - 10 of 13 Comments

Vance
3 years ago
Hasn't the Catholic Church paid out enough millions of dollars for homosexual scandals? Don't forget that all this money comes from the Sunday collections from hard working parishiners. My big question is "WHY ?" are Robert Nugent and Jeanine Gramick still, one a clergyman and the other a religious sister??? They were ordered to cease their participation with the homosexual group but still continue on with their activities. Until the USCCB cleans up its own act and starts "KICKING OUT" the likes of Nugent and Gramick and many others like them, the church will continue to be plagued by homosexual scandal.
K.C.Thomas
3 years ago
Grimick and Robert want to live a loose life and so they thought it fit to establish a ministry. They could have named it a sex ministry instead I doubt whether they were brought up by catholic parents They are pleasure seekers and not seekers of the Kingdom of God. Let it be clear that with unlawful and forbidden pleasures and luxurious life indulging in materialistic pleasures forgetting the wretced condition of millions of human beings in the world cannot take you to God. Are they ready for fasting and prayer and charity ?
JeanCatherine
3 years ago
ninek

Thank you ninek humbly I couldnt have said it better and this is what I have tried to say as well.

You're right because that is exactly what they are doing.

I to love all of my friends warts and all.

The Church has experienced much and for many centuries but I love her and her warts to.

I hope were onto some serious healing in the years ahead and I say I hope our Lord's Bride sticks to her (guns) Rosary.
ninek
3 years ago
One of the photos illustrating this article proves exactly the point I was trying to make the other day: It depicts a large rainbow decoration across the altar. If a person or group defines themselves BY their sexual attraction, then that is evidence that they put sexual attraction above their other priorities. That is a direct contradiction to Jesus' own teachings: love God first. I love my gay friends, warmly and wholeheartedly, and I don't want to see them discriminated against. But giving an alcoholic a bottle of booze isn't being compassionate. Helping gay people put their sexual attraction first above all else is also not being compassionate.
Lay Apostle
3 years ago
This is very very wrong and has to be opposed vigorously by all Christians and expose the devil's evil ways. I for one oppose this abomination.
Nkiru Peters
3 years ago
I'm so glad to see this. We really need to be careful about the ministries we go to and the teachings we receive. Obviously, satan's becoming desperate but that doesn't mean we should be dancing to his tune.
JeanCatherine
3 years ago
anonymous

Peacefully and humbly anonymous I cant understand where everyone is getting this idea that the Church is attacking Homosexuals unless its by individuals who do not understand what is going on.

See link for other sights and helpful guidance as well below:

http://www.peoplecanchange.com/

Also go to what the Catholic Church has been doing for many years:

http://www.couragerc.net/

Catholics who want to understand can also go to this sight.

Father John Harvey started courage many years ago and was asked to form and institute at the request of Cardinal Terrence Cooke. Im a little puzzled as to where the world think this hate is coming from when the church has been in on helping for many years.

By the way my brothers and sisters of same sex tendencies I afraid I dont hate you but if these sights help God Bless all of you. If your asking me to be an enabler cant help you but you should be able see whats going on at these sights.

Contrary to public opinion and yes if I may dear say no help humbly from Satan himself (His wily ways of instigation.) we love you.

Peace & Love
JeanCatherine
3 years ago
Fr. Thomas God Bless you and ministry.

Humbly and respectfully you are right and if I may politely go a little farther that thing Satan has his fingers in everyone's till. He is everywhere and stirringup much trouble.

Pray to the Blessed Mother for protection and guidance from Her Blessed Son.

As for the clerical abuse scandal the evil one had a hand in that too somewhat.

Peace.
JeanCatherine
3 years ago
Joel

Thank you very interesting. I read the piece. I hope someone is vigilant.

Peace.
anonymous
3 years ago
instead of attacking Catholic homosexuals, what is the Catholic church doing to help these individuals, and understand why they are akin to such Same Sex Attraction? Not every person has CHOSEN to be attracted to the same sex.

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