Always Our Children. Pastoral Care of Lesbian and Gay Catholics and their Parents

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1 Always Our Children Pastoral Care of Lesbian and Gay Catholics and their Parents

2 Believing that baptism empowers all persons to live a full, Catholic life in union with all members of the Church, the Catholic Ministry with Lesbian and Gay Persons provides a safe and welcoming environment for lesbian and gays, their friends and family, through liturgy, outreach education, and fellowship.

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4 Suicide is the third leading cause of death among year olds LGB Youth are up to 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers 40% of transgendered youth have attempted to kill themselves

5 Guidance for Parents Love Your Child Accept him or her as a gift from God Listen to them, acknowledging what you feel comfortable accepting. 1 Often feelings can be confusing and conflicting both for you and your child Talk about your feelings Do not expect all tensions can or will be resolved

6 Guidance for Parents Accepting Your Child How can you best express your love? 1. Don t break off contact; don t reject your child. Rejection, along with other external pressures can lead to homelessness and greater risk for self-destructive behaviors Do everything possible to continue demonstrating love for your child. However, accepting his or her LGBT orientation does not have to include approving of all related attitudes and behavioral choices Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination (2006)

7 Guidance for Parents Urge your son or daughter to stay joined to a Catholic faith community 1 Seek help for yourself, perhaps in the form of counseling or spiritual direction, as you strive for understanding, acceptance, and inner peace Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination (2006) You may want to join a catholic support group, like Courageous Heart, Always Our Children and/or a secular organization like PFLAG.

8 Guidance for Parents Reach out in love and service to other parents struggling with a son or daughter's orientation. Contact your parish about organizing a parents' support group Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination (2006) CMLGP can assist with organizing a group

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10 Guidance for Church Ministers and Catechists Be available to parents and families who ask for your pastoral help, spiritual guidance, and prayer. 1 Welcome LGBT persons into the faith community, and seek out those on the margins. 1 Avoid stereotyping and condemning. Strive first to listen. Do not presume that all LGBT persons are sexually active Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination (2006)

11 Guidance for Church Ministers and Catechists Learn more about homosexuality and church teaching so your preaching, teaching, and counseling will be informed and effective 1 When speaking publicly, use the words "homosexual," "gay," and "lesbian" in honest and accurate ways Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination (2006)

12 Guidance for Church Ministers and Catechists Help to establish or promote support groups for parents and family members. 2 We are all called to chastity; help all unmarried persons live out this call by expressions of selfless love, fortitude, and temperance Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination (2006)

13 Guidance for Church Ministers and Catechists Denounce unjust discrimination and violent behaviors against LGBT persons and seek to correct misinformation that can lead to these behaviors. 2 Involve parish social justice ministries to form moral and social teachings of the Church for promoting just behaviors Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination (2006)

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15 Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy "Perhaps we have long since forgotten how to show and live the way of mercy," "The Lord asks us above all not to judge and not to condemn, If anyone wishes to avoid God s judgment, he should not make himself the judge of his brother or sister."