Hello All,
This ping list is not permanent. I won’t be using it more than once or twice. It was composed of those who seemed interested in this issue on this thread. I live in Baltimore (for those on this list who don’t know) and I am currently investigating this issue. This post serves as an update to let you know what’s going on. Let me know if you don’t want to be on it, but again, I won’t use it many more times so don’t worry you haven’t been added to something permanent.
I contacted Gordon Creamer and also some friends of mine who went to that parish. I am currently still corresponding with Mr. Creamer, so I don’t see much value in telling you what he’s said exactly so far because some questions are still open. He has said though that they are “aware of” Church teaching on the matter. He still hasn’t told me the exact name of the text they are studying, but he’s said it’s about “perspectives on homosexuality”.
He also said the meeting on the 24th (this Tuesday) is really to meet at the church at then go out for dinner. So it’s not a meeting on the actual text they are studying. They are taking July off, and then meeting up again in August. I won’t be going to the dinner this Tuesday, so there won’t be any updates (as in a report “on the ground” so to speak) anytime soon. I may go to the one in August if necessary, but that’s way far off obviously. Hopefully between then and now I will be able to ascertain what is going on through e-mail.
Also I’m waiting to hear back from one friend who’s on vacation in Canada now so he hasn’t been able to write as much as he’d like. He promised to write me more later. He went to St. Ignatius before he moved to NY. He’s said though that this isn’t anything new for St. Ignatius.
So right now my plan is this: I’m going to wait to hear back from my friend to hear his perspective, and then write to Mr. Creamer again for more information, based on the feedback from my friend.
So this is more to let you know I’m still looking into this, in case anyone was wondering. I am still going to be pursuing this, so don’t think I’ve forgotten or tried to brush things under the rug. I know what I have shared now isn’t much, but it’s small progress in that I’ve established some communication with Mr. Creamer and also established that this isn’t something new for St. Ignatius Church.
So, one can take this as further evidence of endorsement of homosexual behavior in the Church, or evidence that this ministry is taking it’s lead from the “Courage” ministry I linked to earlier ( http://couragerc.net ) which is endorsed by the Archdiocese. The choice is yours. I won’t be debating or replying to anything (except for questions to clarify) until my investigation is completed to my satisfaction.
Thanks,
I only hope that at some point they will perceive a clear message that yes, Christ if asked can and will bestow the grace to lead homosexuals out of the distortions which are homosexuality and into a solid, Holy Spirit backed affirmation of the genuine gender/sexual identity that God kindly intended for them all the while.
Often, other bad attitudes learned in life and never overcome can act as wedges for retaining homosexual leanings; they share some common aspects. Learning the grace of Christ in their place can clear these log jams.
I speak as an evangelical, but observe that Christ does not make His appearance based on denomination but based on faith.
thanks for the update
I did check out the web site and I think it is a positive place for those with same sex desires to stay on God's side of life.
Thanks!
I wondered that, too, since they didn't have the "courage" to reveal the name on the online invitation. FReepmail for you.
You shouldn’t need to apologize for putting together a ping list for a thread that we are on, although, I have seen and myself been attacked for pinging someone to something in a group ping.
It’s unfortunate that people get so wired about that.
Anyway, thanks for thinking to keep us updated. It will be interesting to see where this goes. I think it will be the canary in the coal mine. If it’s addressed properly, that will be good. If it gets swept under the rug, it does not bode well for the Catholic church.
Appreciated!