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Welcome to Dignity-Integrity/Rochester

As lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersexed persons of faith, together with our families and friends, we form a small faith community with regional and national connections in the struggle for justice in church and society. Dignity-Integrity/Rochester (D-I/R) was chartered in 1975 as the first combined chapter of the national organizations of Dignity/USA (Roman Catholic) and Integrity, Inc. (Episcopal).

Many of us call D-I home, feeling unwelcome, unsafe or unaffirmed in our home churches. All of us belong as a prophetic challenge to those in authority and as a ministry to those who have felt wounded or abandoned by organized religion. Our fellowship is a vital witness to all that our lives and loves are whole and holy.

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE BISHOPS OF NEW YORK STATE REGARDING THEIR LOBBYING AGAINST EQUAL MARRIAGE

June 9, 2009

Dear Bishops,

We, the community of Dignity-Integrity/Rochester, write in response to the New York State Catholic Conference's statement on Marriage (www.nyscatholic.org/pages/news/show_newsDetails.asp?id=485). Our fervent prayer is that you would stop to reflect upon your position in light of the lectionary readings for today (2 Corinthians 1:18-22; Mt 5:13-16).

St. Paul writes, “As God is faithful, our word to you is not 'yes' and 'no',” but your word to God's lesbian and gay children is consistently “yes” and “no.” You promote “marriage between men and women in order to create stable families and provide for the safety, health and well being of children” and at the same time deny that our families need the same protections under the law. You challenge “every sign of unjust discrimination” and at the same time lobby against our basic civil rights. You affirm our human dignity and at the same time demonize our relationships.

Likewise, you champion “what nature and our common heritage long ago defined for us” and at the same time deny that God “has also put his seal upon us and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.” We remind you of how St. Peter’s eyes were opened to the inconsistency of such a position in his encounter with Cornelius and his household (Acts 10), and invite you to encounter your lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sisters and brothers and our stories of faith.

Christ's “yes” was always pastoral over and above the law, so that through his compassion and care the inclusive promises of God would be fulfilled for all of God's children. Your narrowly defining that promise strips his gospel of its full flavor, while your lobbying efforts are turning the deepest potential of human relationship—love—to salt, poisoning the very ground on which true marriages are grown.

We challenge you, as Peter was challenged, that God may be glorified by our lifting high the light of love.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
The Community Council of Dignity-Integrity/Rochester

On August 3rd, Bishop Matthew H. Clark of Rochester responded to our letter, acknowledging that our community and the NYS bishops have differing views on "the advisability of same-sex marriages," while hoping that respect and honesty continue in the debate. He concludes, "Please continue to pray for us, and I will continue to pray for you as well as all of our gay brothers and lesbian sisters."

Following the lead of the New York State Catholic Conference, our diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Courier, urges all Catholics to lobby their State legislators to vote against equal marriage that is coming to a vote in early November. They fail to grasp the disparity between their guidance and the consciences of many if not most people in the pews.

Dignity-Integrity continues to insist that our bishops are out of touch with the lives and loves of their LGBT children. Stay tuned for our response to the US Bishops' Pastoral Letter on Marriage due out later in November.