Is an L.G.B.T.Q. ‘lifestyle’ compatible with working for Catholic schools? A Seattle task force finds no easy answer.

A task force commissioned by the Archdiocese of Seattle unanimously calls for a new LGBTQ youth ministry in its final report, but was unable to reach consensus on the “lifestyle clause” of the ministerial contract signed by employees of Catholic institutions. The agreement that better accompaniment of young people is needed is optimistic, but Rev. Ronald Nuzzi, chairman of the task force, was right when he sent me the report and commented, “I guess you will find it mixed.” Pocket. “

The report builds on a survey of nearly 5,000 stakeholders in the archdiocese (including clergy, school staff, parents, parishioners, and alumni, but not current students) conducted in January and February. (I am not a member of the task force, but Father Nuzzi has discussed her work with me over the past year.) She makes commendable recommendations on formation practices, pastoral services with a focus on gay Catholics, and school leadership initiatives. These are the most action-oriented parts of the report, and if Archbishop Paul T. Etienne agrees with the recommendations, the concerns of LGBTQ Catholics and their families will be heard in new programs “where the Spirit can dwell for young people to question and struggle can”. and be vulnerable without threat or coercion ”, a place of“ compassionate care ”and“ diversity and fidelity to the teaching of the Church ”.

“Not surprisingly, the members of the task force differ significantly in their views on what the Ministerial Treaty outlines and how its provisions should be applied.”

The road ahead is less clear when it comes to the employee contract. “Not surprisingly, the members of the task force differ significantly in their views on what the Ministerial Treaty outlines and how its provisions should be applied,” the report’s authors say.

In this language it is currently stated that a teacher can be dismissed if his or her lifestyle “is incompatible with Catholic moral values ​​or if his or her behavior is contrary to Catholic teaching”. The desire for a more differentiated, character-oriented language in the federal government was the reason for the creation of the task force. For example, my colleagues at Kennedy Catholic High School presented the Archbishop with a list of signatories who disagreed with the current language. While last year’s Supreme Court ruling seems to have given Catholic institutions more leeway to seek exemptions from non-discrimination laws, many of us believe that there are dangers to the Church having this leeway to “purge” of Employees.

The desire for a more nuanced, more characterful language in the employee contract was the reason for the creation of the task force.

The task force sums up the views of those who wish to maintain the way of life, saying that they would like, or one, a “review of the standards of what it means to be Catholic” and a “redefinition” of the purpose of Catholic schools “Reclaiming our Catholic values, morals and beliefs at a time when they are often ignored and even attacked”. The report begins with a statement of Church teaching anticipating this point of view: “Although the Church always respects and honors the dignity of all human beings, the Church continues to urge gay Catholics to reflect on the meaning and purpose of human sexuality. In living up to this challenge, they are called to a life of chastity and fidelity to the moral law of God, borne by the love and mercy of the Church. “

According to the task force, those who wish to ditch the lifestyle statement say it is “discriminatory” and that “reconciliation and healing should be sought”. They demand that “problems arising from the quality of an employee’s testimony be assessed with caution on a case-by-case basis”, since these problems often “concern very personal life decisions that … [been] recognized in conscience. ”One might ask: Why is Teacher X, who has quotes for verbally or physically abusive students, still employed when Teacher Y, who lives with a significant other, but lets private life out of the classroom and the students with Treated with respect, got fired?

It sounds familiar, doesn’t it? The conflicting beliefs are indeed representative of the contemporary church, and it is not so surprising that the Task Force here chose contemplation over action.

Many will blame the report for not recommending Archbishop Etienne far enough to recommend concrete steps, but in a deeply Christian sense, its reluctance is perhaps its greatest strength. By exposing all of their struggles and ideas, the Task Force is giving us back our own hand to remove any rays blocking our view. His lesson is: We must learn – and learn again – how to hold tension.

Many will blame the report for not recommending Archbishop Etienne far enough to recommend concrete steps, but in a deeply Christian sense, its reluctance is perhaps its greatest strength.

Their reluctance could also be understood in the Christian sense as cowardice or indolence. It can convey that task force members are reluctant to suggest ways because the Church will do what it wants anyway. Or that members are too overwhelmed to bundle what they brainstormed into integrated, actionable steps.

Re-examining what many of us see as conflicting Task Force decisions can help shed some light on the way forward. First, it is disappointing that the Task Force was able to consistently recommend faith-building and pastoral services for young adults dealing with LGBTQ issues, but not equally support a statement included in the list of reasons for abolishing lifestyle determination is – that “humility is the most appropriate attitude in the face of growing scientific knowledge, accumulated lived experience and continuous theological reflection”. Doesn’t pastoral service require an attitude of listening, an effort to understand rather than be understood? What would it be like to apply this attitude to the adults who are scapegoated by lifestyle – and who, not so long ago, were students themselves?

Second, it is disappointing that the Task Force added to the list of reasons for maintaining lifestyle determination that school staff should not teach their students “Deviation” even if the Task Force confirms that students have questions about LGBTQ issues. Have concerns that arise alone. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, conscience means that pupils and teachers alike have the right “to act freely in order to make personal moral decisions” (no. 1782). In Catholic schools, students should not fear conflicts with their peers or teachers. Rather, they should prayerfully share their critical thinking.

Archbishop Etienne said in a letter to the pastors and directors of the Archdiocese of Seattle published at the same time as the report: “I will now take these recommendations up in prayer and begin my discernment process … Please note that this will take time and I ask for your patience. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide me and give me the grace to hear our Lord and respond to his wishes. ”Let us pray for Archbishop Etienne and for all our bishops at this time, and let us pray that the Spirit may be our disciples directs in Catholic schools.