Gramick resists tougher Vatican ban
Less than a year after the Vatican ban on ministry to homosexuals by Sr. Jeannine Gramick and Fr. Robert Nugent, both were again summoned to Rome May 23 for further silencing. They must now refrain from all writing and speaking on homosexuality, and from any criticism or even discussion of their treatment by the Vatican, or face expulsion from their religious orders. Nugent said he would obey. Gramick will not. In a public statement May 25, she said, “After finding my voice to tell my story, I choose not to collaborate in my own oppression by restricting a basic human right. To me this is a matter of conscience.”
 |
| In Tuscon Apr. 30, Sr. Jeannine Gramick (second from right) addressed Arizona CTAers, including (from left) Associate Pastor Susan Mullins, Mary Jane Benton, and Eric Mensager. (photo: Tom Donovan) |
Gramick continues to crisscross the country speaking at many CTA regional affiliates, religious communities and campuses about the injustice of the Vatican silencing. She will also return as a speaker Nov. 3-5 at the CTA National Conference. At press time, she was traveling to Cleveland to strategize further with Catholic Organizations for Renewal (COR), the forum of 27 church reform groups coordinated by CTA. Several COR groups including CTA were part of a press conference at the U.S. Bishops’ meeting in June calling for reversal of the Vatican rulings against Gramick and Nugent.
New Ways Ministry is the clearinghouse for protests, prayer vigils and letter-writing campaigns. To keep updated, consult www.newwaysministry.org
