gays and lesbians
Top Vatican and US church officials back new gay-friendly book
By David Gibson — April 7, 2017
(RNS) Such positive language from such senior church leaders is extraordinary and another sign of how Francis is reorienting the Catholic Church's approach to a hot-button topic.
Princeton Theological Seminary reverses decision to honor Redeemer’s Tim Keller
By David Gibson — March 22, 2017
(RNS) The seminary had faced mounting criticism over Keller’s conservative views on women and LGBTQ people. So he will not receive an award but will still deliver a major lecture.
Princeton seminary taking some heat for honoring Redeemer’s Tim Keller
By David Gibson — March 21, 2017
(RNS) The Manhattan pastor is popular — but his Presbyterian denomination does not ordain women or gays, and his traditionalism has some criticizing the more liberal Princeton Theological Seminary for giving Keller an award.
South African cardinal calls US abortion rate ‘a genocide’ for blacks
By David Gibson — July 5, 2016
(RNS) Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, who rejected calls for the Catholic Church to apologize to gay people, tweeted about the number of abortions in the U.S. and added: “Isn't this something we should be apologizing for?”
Vatican synod’s ‘war of words’ will have real-life consequences
By David Gibson — October 23, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “Words create worlds,” as one archbishop put it, and if bishops pushing for new language on remarried Catholics and gays and lesbians carry the day it could reshape the church’s approach.
US churches feel beat of change: More diversity, more drums
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — September 11, 2014
(RNS) Gay and lesbian acceptance, increasing racial diversity and growing spontaneity in worship are among the findings in the latest National Congregations Study.
Are Catholic conservatives turning on Cardinal Timothy Dolan?
By David Gibson — September 5, 2014
NEW YORK (RNS) Cardinal Timothy Dolan's positive reaction to this week's decision by organizers of New York's annual St. Patrick's Day parade to allow gay groups to march initially drew charitable responses. Then some Catholics turned.
ANALYSIS: 5 reasons gay marriage is winning
By Kevin Eckstrom — May 22, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) The fight over gay marriage is far from settled -- and some conservatives insist that it never will be -- but pro-gay groups clearly have the momentum. Here's why.
Notre Dame signals welcome to gay athletes in new campaign
By David Gibson — May 8, 2014
(RNS) The Catholic Church has taken a lot of heat over its stance against gay rights and for policies that often bar openly gay people from participating in church life. But the University of Notre Dame, an icon of American Catholicism, is going against the flow by supporting student athletes who come out as gay.
Amid widespread discrimination, he ministers to Nairobi’s gays and lesbians
By Fredrick Nzwili — April 30, 2014
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) The Rev. John Makokha ministers to sexual minorities and counsels family members who find their loved ones’ sexual orientation disturbing. His passion is to see an end to what he calls “religious homophobia.”
Pope Francis calls traditional marriage an icon of God’s love
By Josephine McKenna — April 2, 2014
(RNS) Pope Francis' emphasis on traditional marriage during his Wednesday (April 2) audience comes after his much-discussed comments on gays soon after his election a year ago.
Church of England’s call for dialogue on gays rebuffed in Africa
By Trevor Grundy — January 30, 2014
(RNS) Ahead of his five-day visit to Africa, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby issued a statement reminding Anglicans of the commitment the Church of England made to the pastoral care of gays and lesbians. So far, the statement has not convinced African leaders.
Ranks of defiant United Methodist clergy rise
By Renée K. Gadoua — January 23, 2014
(RNS) Almost daily, evidence mounts of defiant United Methodist clergy breaking church law on behalf of gays and lesbians as the nation’s second-largest Protestant denomination struggles with what may be its most vexing rebellion in decades.
A Methodist pastor calls for speedy resolution in conflict over gays
By Renée K. Gadoua — December 24, 2013
(RNS) A deep divide within the United Methodist Church over how to minister to gays and lesbians has led a Washington, D.C., pastor to suggest the denomination should not wait until its 2016 General Conference to change its policies.
Methodist bishops asked to charge one of their own for performing gay wedding
By Renée K. Gadoua — November 15, 2013
(RNS) Retired Bishop Melvin Talbert, who served as the leader of United Methodists in the San Francisco area, ignored a request not to perform the ceremony. He has said in the past that the church’s position on homosexuality “is wrong and evil … it no longer calls for our obedience.”
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