March 22, 2023. On March 20, 2023, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine released a policy statement on how Catholic medical institutions should treat transgender and nonbinary people. Entitled “Doctrinal Note on the Moral Limits to Technological Manipulation of the Human Body,” the statement instructs Catholic health care facilities not to use hormonal or surgical therapies which have been proven to help address gender dysphoria.
March 11, 2023. DignityUSA, the world’s oldest organization of Catholics working for justice, equality, and full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in our church and society, applauds the Catholic Bishops of Germany who have voted to support formal blessings for same-sex couples. In a vote of 38 to 9, with 11 abstentions, the German bishops have affirmed creating ceremonies for couples whose marriages are not currently recognized by the Catholic Church. This includes same-sex couples, as well as people who remarry following a divorce.
March 1, 2023 | by Marianne Seggerman | We often struggle with what to do “next” when we have a religious experience. Do we tell the world? Or at least our close friends and family? It is likely they will not understand. This week’s reflection provides no easy answers, but instead reminds us that Love has a special place just for us, a place we did not earn, but that we are accountable to share for the good of our world.
February 22, 2023 | by Ragan Schriver | As we begin Lent, Jesus’ temptation offers us a meditation on being whole. In a world that communicates we are only worth the sum of our “stuff,” and in a Church that officially teaches any sexual minority is damaged, Jesus’ reminder that each of us is called to love with our whole selves may provide a welcome frame for our Lenten practice – and a welcome reminder of the wholeness we are given and called to share!
February 15, 2023 | by Jeff Vomund | Loving one’s enemies often lands somewhere between empty prayers for people with whom we disagree and the threat of letting others take advantage of us in the name of Jesus. But neither of those encapsulate this difficult task about which Jesus preached. Instead, today’s reflection invites us to find in Jesus’ example the freedom to care both for ourselves as well as others, even when they cannot find it in themselves to treat us the same way.
Upcoming Events
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Lenten Reflection Series
Join us each Wednesday night in Lent starting on February 22, Ash Wednesday, through April 5 at 8pm-9pm ET (7pm-8pm CT/ 6pm-7pm MT/ 5pm-6pm PT) to discuss the scripture readings for the upcoming Sunday. Register once to get a reminder each week, and join us for a single session or the entire series! This series is free but registration is required.
February 22, 2023 to April 5, 20238:00pm
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A Conversation with "LGBTQ Catholic Ministry" Author Jason Steidl Jack
Jason Steidl Jack will discuss and answer questions about his new book, "LGBTQ Catholic Ministry: Past and Present." Jason Steidl Jack is an assistant teaching professor of religious studies at St. Joseph's University in New York. He earned a PhD in systematic theology at Fordham University. This event will take place on Zoom. Registration is free but required.
March 28, 20238:00pm
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The current Dateline dated March 22, 2023 is Dateline:
The current Breath of the Spirit is Breath of the Spirit for March 22, 2023
