A Queer Pilgrim

It must be hard to be a Pope. Especially Pope Francis. After following the conservative Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, being a more liberal, progressive Pope would be hard. Both John Paul and Benedict put in place conservative cardinals who surprised us all with the election/selection of Francis.   From the outside of the Catholic Church looking in as an out gay Presbyterian minister, I’ve watched with awe and amazement the small, subtle moves that Francis has been making towards inclusion of women in leadership roles, as well as his friendliness towards LGBTQIA2S+ people, especially transgender people in Italy. I was well aware of his gay friends in Argentina, and how they have continued a friendship even when Cardinal Bergolio of Argentina became Pope Francis of Rome. He has withheld judgment towards gays, and defended blessing individuals in same sex coupled relationship, as long as it doesn’t look like a wedding in a church. While he has not changed dogma or doc...

Along with The United Methodist Church jumping into the 21st century in welcoming LGBTQIA2S+ people as ordained clergy, able and willing to be pastors/elders and deacons, along with allowing same sex weddings, and using funds from the pew to support LGBTQIA2S+ people and programs, there are individuals who have stood up and out in the last few weeks that need to be recognized. It is upon their shoulders that the next generation of queer clergy leaders will go and grow in their ministries. First is Rev. Dr. Beth Stroud. This is what David Crary of the Associated Press wrote about the events from last week, after the UMC changed its policies towards LGBTQIA2S+ people a week earlier: "T wenty years ago, Beth Stroud was defrocked as a United Methodist Church pastor after telling her Philadelphia congregation that she was in a committed same-sex relationship. On Tuesday night, less than three weeks after the  UMC repealed its anti-LGBTQ bans , she was reinstated. In a closed m...

Welcome, members of The United Methodist Church (UMC), who, this day, May 1st, 2024, joined the 21st century, affirming the presence and welcoming those of us who are LGBTQIA2S+ people to be ordained, to serve churches, to marry, and to officiate at other weddings of same sex couples. Heck, you can now even use funds from within the UMC to pursue funding programs that assist people who are LGBTQIA2S+ in being and becoming more of the body of Christ through the practices of Methodism. Imagine: You can now focus on other issues that are facing Christendom! Hunger. Poverty. Peace-making programs. Gun control. Global climate. Houselessness. You name it. Praise God. Here’s a link to the news:  https://religionnews.com/2024/05/01/united-methodists-strike-down-ban-on-ordination-of-gay-clergy/  This day was, indeed, a long way in coming. 1972 is when that horrible language was published as part of your Constitution. Richard Nixon was President. HIV/AIDS was not yet an issue.  I’v...