Author Archives: Obie Holmen

Election Day 2009: spotlight on Maine

In this off year, there are not a lot of elections of import across the country.  There are hotly contested governorships in New Jersey and Virginia, and an interesting Congressional race in upstate New York, but many eyes will be on the state of Maine as the latest battleground regarding marriage equality. 

Here’s the background according to the Associated Press:

Maine MoosePORTLAND, Maine — Bolstered by out-of-state money and volunteers, both sides jockeyed Monday to boost turnout for a Maine referendum that could give gay-rights activists in the U.S. their first victory at the ballot box on the deeply divisive issue of same-sex marriage.

The state’s voters will decide Tuesday whether to repeal a law that would allow gay marriage. The law was passed by the Legislature and signed by Democratic Gov. John Baldacci last May but has never taken effect.

The contest is considered too close to call, and both campaigns worked vigorously — with rallies, phone calls, e-mails and ads — to be sure their supporters cast votes in the off-year election.

If voters uphold the law, it will be the first time the electorate in any state has endorsed marital rights for same-sex couples, energizing activists nationwide and deflating a long-standing conservative argument that gay marriage lacks popular support.

Conversely, a repeal — in New England, the corner of the country most receptive to same-sex marriage — would be a jolting setback for the gay-rights movement and mark the first time voters overturned a gay-marriage law enacted by a legislature. When Californians voters rejected gay marriage a year ago, it was in response to a court ruling, not legislation.

Religious activists are on both sides of the issue.  Roman Catholic Bishop Richard J Malone of the Portland Diocese (which includes the entire state) has been particularly active according to the National Catholic Reporter and quoted in Talk to Action blog:

Besides spearheading a parish-based petition signature drive, assisted by local and national socially conservative groups, Malone also padded church bulletins with anti-gay marriage messages — on six consecutive Sundays. He required that pastors throughout the diocese preach on traditional marriage.

Malone has produced a DVD, in which he stars, explaining why marriage matters, and directed that it be shown in all parishes. (See Marriage: What the church teaches.)
Last month, Malone called for a second collection to be taken up during Sunday Masses, with proceeds going to Stand for Marriage, the organization leading the repeal effort.

The second collection netted $86,000. In total, the Portland diocese has given $550,000 to the effort to repeal the same-sex marriage legislation.

But many Catholics resist their bishop, including Governor John E. Baldacci who signed the legislation.  The Bangor Daily News reports that many Catholics joined four recent statewide  rallies sponsored by the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry in Maine.

After Mass on Sunday morning, Ed Oechslie left St. John Catholic Church and walked alone to Hammond Street Congregational Church.

The Brewer man wore a sign made on his computer and pinned to the back of his jacket. It showed a cross in the foreground with a rainbow rising behind its base, arcing across the background. Above the cross were the words, “Maine Catholics for Marriage Equality.”

“I think it’s important for Catholics to speak up,” Oechslie said before the Bangor service began. “The bishop has taken a stance that, in my view, has nothing to do with the teachings of Jesus.”

The Talk to Action blog post quotes other progressive Catholics who oppose their Bishop’s overt politicking.  William H. Slavick of Portland, a retired college professor and long-time coordinator of the Pax Christi Maine chapter,

favors keeping the civil marriage law, saying that the church is wrong to try to impose a Catholic view of marriage on society.

Catholic attorney, Anne Underwood, in public testimony before the legislature, stated:

As a practicing Roman Catholic and attorney, I thank each of you for your daily work on behalf of our democratic form of government. A government based not on Halachah (Jewish), Shari’ a (Islamic), or Canon Law (Roman Catholic), but on Civil Law.

The Religious Coalition for the Freedom to marry includes a diverse group of religious leaders including Rabbi Darah Lerner of Congregational Beth El, Bangor’s Reform synagogue, who said her religion required her to speak out at the rally.

“I am participating because my tradition calls me to pursue equality and justice for all people,” she said. “Full equality under the law for gay men and lesbians requires the legal recognition of monogamous domestic gay and lesbian relationships. All loving couples should be included in the civil right and the responsibility of marriage.”

Pam’s House Blend blog has voting instructions and an open thread for comments throughout the day.

Voice of the Faithful: Progressive #Catholic Conference a success

This past weekend, the progressive Catholic group called Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) held its annual convention on Long Island.  Their slogan is “Keep the Faith, Change the Church.”  I reprint their press release below:

NEW ENERGY AT VOICE OF THE FAITHFUL CONFERENCE

October 31, 2009

Sr. Joan Chittister and Fr. Tom Reese inspire VOTF members at LI conference

Melville, NY – Over 500 members of Voice of the Faithful were encouraged to see the good within in the institution of the Catholic Church. It was the message given by Father Tom Reese, one of the distinguished speakers at this year’s event held at the Huntington Hilton on Long Island. He also asked members to avail themselves of the social justice opportunities within Church, to be mindful of the importance of prayer and scripture reading, and recognize the importance of being welcoming community within their own parish.

The day began with Sr. Joan Chittister offering a new insight into the nature of leadership within the Church. She emphasized that power and leadership are not synonyms and that people should lead they way the wish to follow. Sr. Chittister said, “real reform brings people together, does not pit one group against one another,” a message taken to heart by the VOTF members in attendance.

Priest of Integrity Awards were given to Fr. Joseph Fowler of Louisville, a tireless advocate for victims rights in Kentucky, and Fr. Donald Cozzens, a noted author and a long-time advisor to Voice of the Faithful. Both priests were greeted with a hearty reception.

Jason Berry, an author and investigative journalist, received the St. Catherine of Siena Distinguished Lay Person award for his work in bringing the sexual abuse scandal to light and his persistent quest for justice for survivors.

VOTF members were also asked by Margaret Smith of John Jay College, a dedicated researcher on the “Causes and Context Study,” for their help in solving the mystery around the abuse crisis: how could such a moral lapse not have been recognized at the time? Ms. Smith also reported that the dimming number of clergy abuse reports were a positive sign of change.

President Dan Bartley said to the members, “I am encouraged by your support. We have so much work to do, especially with new Voices in Action campaign. Your presence here is a testament to your hard work and dedication.”

VOTF is restructuring and expanding.  FY 2009 budget of $450,000 will be increased to $600,000 for 2010 and $700,000 for 2011.  It hopes to expand its membership by 30% to 45,000.  The organization plans to become more collegial, collaborative, and grass roots, emphasizing lay involvement, an expanded role for women, and actualization of the spirit of Vatican II.  Here is a web based slide show with voice that outlines their plans and goals of their “Voices in Action Campaign”.  If you don’t care to watch and listen to this fifteen minute presentation, the highlights include a five pronged plan that includes:

Meanwhile, another progressive Catholic group named Call to Action will hold its annual convention in Milwaukee next weekend.  Over 2,000 persons are expected to attend, and I plan to be one of them with live blogs from the convention floor.

Minnesota #Episcopal Diocese elects new Bishop (#Anglican)

The Rev. Brian Prior of Spokane, Washington has been elected only the ninth Bishop of of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota since the 1850’s.  Five diverse nominees each had strong support on the first ballot with vote totals ranging from 71 to 115.  Prior was the leader on the first ballot and received the highest vote totals on each of the five ballots, finally realizing the majority of laity and clergy support as candidates dropped out through succeeding ballots.

In addition to Prior, the other candidates included:

Rev. Marianne Budde of Minneapolis who finished second, Rev. Bonnie Perry of Chicago (a lesbian in a committed relationship), Rev Douglas Sparks of Rochester, Mn, and Rev Doyle Turner of Park Rapids, Mn (a Native American).  The website of the Minnesota Diocese issued the following statement.

Prior has been the Rector of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Spokane, Washington since 1996. Among the manybrian prior photo slight crop boards and committees on which he serves, Rev. Prior is the Vice President of the House of Deputies of the General Convention of The Episcopal Church. He received his M.Div. from Church Divinity of the Pacific in Berkeley, California in 1987. Rev. Prior has been married to Staci Hubbard Prior for 21 years. They have two teenage sons.

“I am thrilled to have the privilege of being among the first to welcome Rev. Prior as our new bishop,” says Scott Crow, chair of the Standing Committee, which is charged with overseeing the election. “Our process has been filled with prayer, discernment, and the movement of the Spirit in our midst. It has been a powerful experience to witness the church at work and I look forward to the joyful Ordination and Consecration of our new bishop on February 13, 2010.”

Susan Russell, recent past president of Integrity, USA, the Episcopal LGBT advocacy group, offered her congratulations to Bishop-elect Prior and kudos to the Minnesota Episcopalians for their process.

I believe at this point in the life of the church it is a sign of GREAT good news that a diocese has had the opportunity to choose from a slate of qualified candidates the one they and the Holy Spirit have discerned to be the BEST bishop to lead them into God’s future. A slate that included men and women, gay and straight, Anglo and Native American. This is our Episcopal Church at its best.

The Diocese of Minnesota has elected a new bishop. Let us rejoice and be glad with them!

Current Integrity President, Rev David Norgard, offered similar sentiments:

“What we have seen in the Diocese of Minnesota during these weeks and months of discernment is our church at its best,” said the Reverend David Norgard, President of Integrity. “By including an openly gay, partnered candidate, they have led the Episcopal Church to one step closer to reaching the reality of ‘all the baptized in all the sacraments’ in the Episcopal Church – not just a resolution of General Convention. We owe them our thanks and gratitude for their visionary leadership.”

A Wretched Man: novel to be released soon

The edits are finally done, and the manuscript has been formatted for printing.  Front and back cover designs are in place for the galley copies that have been ordered.  A limited, preliminary print run will produce galley copies (also known as advance reader copies) that will be provided to reviewers.  The publication process slowly chugs along, and now I must wait nervously and hope for a favorable review or two …

Read more …

Vatican call for #Anglicans to join #Catholics revisited

A couple of days ago, I posted on the reaction to the Vatican’s invitation to conservative Anglicans who disagreed with the Episcopal Church’s policy on gay and female clergy.  Here’s more blogosphere feedback.

A press release from Voice of the Faithful asks, IS THE ANGLICAN COMMUNITY GOING TO SOLVE THE PRIEST SHORTAGE?  Voice of the Faithful is a progressive group of Catholics who coincidentally are holding their annual convention this weekend on Long Island.

Susan Russell (recent past president of Integrity USA) links to an NPR audio and quotes Jim Naughton:

I think for Episcopalians, what we need to do in the wake of this announcement is to continue going out there and saying, look, we do offer very traditional liturgy, beautiful music, a style of worship that many people like. But we are a democratically governed church. We think men and women are equal at the altar, and we respect the dignity of gay and lesbian Christians. If that makes us outcasts, I think that that’s a status that we embrace happily. So if what we’re talking about here are people offering alternatives, I think Episcopalians offer that alternative to their Catholic brothers and sisters. 

Is Pope Benedict’s action dynamite under the logjam of stalled ecumenical discussions?  This is the question posted on America, the American Catholic Weekly.  In another post on the same blog, noted Lutheran theologian Martin Marty is quoted:

Bypassing forty years of Anglican-Roman Catholic conversations-cum-negotiations and blindsiding Archbishop Rowan Williams, the head of the seventy-million-member Anglican Communion, Vatican officials announced that they were taking steps to receive Anglican (in the United States, Episcopal) clergy through conversion into the Roman Catholic priesthood.  Headlines had it that Rome wanted to “lure,” “attract,” “bid for” or “woo” priests and congregations to make the drastic move, while the Vatican front man, as he fished for Anglicans, said he was not fishing for Anglicans….

And, a third post on the same blog suggests that the fine print over the acceptance of married Anglican priests into the Catholic church needs some clarification.

One Anglican cleric who blogs as Madpriest, dismisses the Anglicans who are receptive to the Pope’s invitation as “The Dying Gasps of Anglican Misogyny.”

Religion writer Julia Duin at the Washington Post raises lots of questions:

And which elements of the Anglican liturgy will these converts will be allowed to retain? Anglicans have multiple versions (1662, 1928, 1979 to name a few) of their Book of Common Prayer. Will they have to accept Roman Catholic theology on transubstantiation (the bread and wine really becoming the body and blood of Christ), on papal infallibility, on the bodily assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, not to mention the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, which holds that Mary was born without sin?

Finally, Minnesota blogger, progressive Catholic Michael Bayly, dares to speak that which must not be spoken.  In a post entitled Keeping All the Queens Under One Roof, Bayly suggests that there is a subtext of closeted and repressed gay clergy in both the Anglican communion and the Catholic communion.

We’re not supposed to talk about this aspect of the drama in the Vatican. But there is as much an overlap of closeted gay priests and bishops with liturgical and theological orthodoxy as there is of closeted gay politicians finding ways to oppress other gays who are out and open.

Bayly quotes Chris Dierckes:

If personal experience and lifelong immersion in a sub-culture is any form of persuasive evidence, I can tell you that conservative Anglo-Catholicism — at the clerical level — is totally dominated by gay men. Mostly repressed. What used to be called when I was in seminary, the pink mafia. And the thing that is the initial trigger for this decision is the upcoming very likely to happen decision to ordain women as bishops in the Church of England (there have already been women priests there for about 15 years or so). Which has a certain irony in this case. If these Anglo-Catholics join the Roman Communion they can join up with very conservative Roman Catholic groups like Regnum Christi and The Legionaries of Christ, also totally dominated by closeted gay fellows. You don’t need to be Sigmund Freud to see the awesome tragic humor in a bunch of non-wife-having grown men wearing pink dresses (and in the Pope’s case super expensive fabulous Prada shoes!!!) telling everybody else they shouldn’t be gay.

Integrity Eucharist on eve of Minnesota Diocesan Convention #Episcopal

Last night I walked with Integrity.  I was blessed to participate in the Integrity Eucharist at historic St Paul’s Episcopal Church on-the-Hill on Summit Avenue in St Paul, Mn.  This weekend, the Minnesota Diocese of the Episcopal Church will choose it’s ninth Bishop, and Integrity USA, the LGBT Episcopal advocacy group, celebrated Eucharist with the local LGBT community and allies on the convention’s eve.

St Paul’s dates back to 1854, four years before Minnesota was granted statehood.  It has a long and proud history that includes hosting the first electing convention when Bishop Henry Benjamin Whipple became the first Bishop of the Minnesota Diocese.  More recently, St Paul’s has been the home to progressive Christians and Episcopalians.  The first woman on a Vestry from Minnesota was elected at St. Paul’s.  The Rev. Jeannette Piccard of Philadelphia Eleven fame was a longtime member.  Here is a link to her Wikipedia entry:

Jeannette Ridlon Piccard (January 5, 1895 – May 17, 1981) was an American teacher, scientist, priest, and aeronaut who was a pioneer of balloon flight. A member of the famed Piccard family of balloonists and of the International Space Hall of Fame, she was the first licensed female balloon pilot, the first woman to fly to the stratosphere, and a speaker for NASA. Her 1934 flight held the women’s altitude record for three decades. Called a woman of causes and irrepressible, Piccard is remembered as one of the Philadelphia Eleven, the first women to be ordained Episcopalian priests.

David Norgard The homilist last night was the Rev. David Norgard, recently elected to serve as the President of Integrity.  Rev. Norgard, who has served parishes in San Francisco and New York City, returned to his Minnesota roots for the occasion (born in Hibbing, home to Kevin McHale and Bob Dylan).  He told his story of truth telling and coming out to his bishop during his candidacy process, thus becoming the first openly gay Episcopal priest in Minnesota in 1979.  The full text of his homily has been posted on the Walking with Integrity blog.  Here is a portion:

Coming out does not make life easier…but it does unequivocally make life better.  Telling the truth and seeking justice, while painfully difficult at times, are inherently better options for living than their alternatives because they are the constellation that leads us on the path toward integrity.  And as the psalmist says, “No good thing will God withhold from those who walk with integrity.”

I met new friends, including Rev Norgard, and old ones as well, including Ross Murray, the interim Director of Lutherans Concerned / North America.  Ross was a leader of Goodsoil at the recent ELCA 2009 Churchwide Assembly, and I worked as a Goodsoil volunteer.

Our prayers are with the Minnesota Episcopalians as they meet in Convention this weekend.

Voice of the Faithful: Progressive Catholic Convention

I have blogged several times about the upcoming Call to Action (CTA) Conference in Milwaukee  beginning November 6 (click here to follow the thread).  However, I have been remiss in reporting the annual conference of Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) that will convene this weekend in Melville, New York.  Both CTA and VOTF are progressive Catholic organizations, but I am not sure how they differ or how they are alike.

Here is the agenda for the VOTF convention:

Schedule of Events

Friday evening, October 30th

7 pm-8:45 pm          Registration & cocktail hour

7:00 pm-8:45 pm    Presentations on Strategic Platform and the American Catholic Council 
(Come find out where you fit into the action plan that VOTF is unfolding by learning more about the five platforms: Local/Diocesan Action, Protect Children/Support Survivors, Universal Church Reform, Networking and Partnerships, and Spiritual and Communal Growth.  Get an overview of the proposals, ask questions, and sign up for involvement!  This new strategy has a place for every VOTF member to participate in meaningful activities that will help us “make our voices heard.”)

8:00 pm-8:30 pm &
8:45 pm-9:15 pm       Presentations on Vigil Strategies with LI-VOTF and SNAP

Saturday October 31st

8 am  Registration and Continental Breakfast

9 am  Opening Prayer 
Welcome to Long Island – Joan Hopkins- co-chair LIVOTF

9:15 am-9:45 am
President Dan Bartley’s  Report  On the State of VOTF”
“Ask the President” Q & A

9:45 am Introduction of distinguished guests and acknowledgments – Phil Megna

10 am  BREAK

10:15 am-11:15 am Sister Joan Chittister

11:15 am-12:15 pm  Discussions, Remarks, Solutions & questions for speaker
(Attendees will have time for discussion and reflection on Sister Joan’s remarks in light of VOTF’s Strategic Plan and the opportunities available for action based on her presentation.)

12:15 pm-12:30 pm President’s Special Awards for Contributions at the Local and Affiliate Levels  – Dan Bartley

12:30 pm-1:30 pm LUNCH

1:30 pm-2:00 pm Presentation of National VOTF awards-Priest of Integrity and St. Catherine of Siena awards

2:00 pm-2:30pm BREAK (browse & check out the books & merchandise at the tables)

2:30 pm-3:30 pm Rev. Thomas Reese

3:45 pm-4:30 pm Discussions, Remarks, Solutions & questions for speaker
(Attendees will have time for discussion and reflection on Father’s remarks in light of VOTF’s Strategic Plan and the opportunities available for action based on his presentation.)

Break- Preparation for Mass

5:00 pm Mass celebrated by Father Tom Reese (including singing and prayers)

#Catholic