Tag Archives: Orlando shooting

Orlando Statement

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As lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Catholic members of All Inclusive Ministries (AIM), based at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, in Toronto, ON, we share in the suffering and sorrows resulting from the Orlando mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub on June 12, 2016. Targeted for their sexual orientations and gender identifications, 49 people were killed and 53 people were wounded. We offer up our prayers for everyone affected by this terrible tragedy and especially the victims and their families and friends.

We at AIM know what it means to be marginalized by society, and the dangers of being discriminated against because of extremist interpretations of religious doctrines. We believe that the way forward out of the cycle of homophobia and violence is to be full participants in the life of the Church and society, and for that reason AIM serves as a bridge between the Catholic Church and its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members.

On Saturday, June 25, 2016 starting at 7 p.m., AIM will hold its monthly Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Parish in Toronto, Ontario. The Mass will include a liturgical memorial ceremony for the Orlando victims. We also will be praying for every lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender person throughout the world who face oppression, intimidation and violence. We invite everyone to attend.

Sincerely,

The All Inclusive Ministries Executive Council
allinclusiveministries.org
aimtoronto@gmail.com

Source: Orlando Statement

CoE Cathedral Flying Rainbow Flag!

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There is a rainbow flag flying at Portsmouth Cathedral

There is a rainbow flag flying at Portsmouth Cathedral.  On Friday, this will be replaced by an even bigger rainbow flag.  We had planned to fly one over the weekend in support of Portsmouth Pride happening on Saturday, but, along with many other churches and buildings around the country, we decided to fly one this week to remember those killed, injured or effected by the horrendous attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando this week.  We are praying for those who have been killed or injured and for all those who love them.  We are praying for those around the world who have been effected by this extreme act.  We are praying for those LGBT+ people around the world who are subjected to abuse, discrimination and persecution because of their sexuality.

Portsmouth Cathedral will continue to mourn with, stand alongside, support and welcome the LGBT+ community. We rejoice that God has made us who we are and that includes our sexuality, whether gay or straight and when you come here you do not need to pretend to be someone else.  You and your partner / boyfriend / girlfriend / husband / wife are welcome here – you do not have to hide who you are.  Come and be yourself with us as we seek to love God, find out more about God and serve the world God created.  Come and offer your gifts and skills and wisdom to us.

Source: Portsmouth Cathedral

Florida Catholic bishop: ‘It is religion, including our own,’ that targets LGBT people – The Washington Post

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Our founding parents had no knowledge of assault rifles, which are intended to be weapons of mass destruction. In crafting the Second Amendment to the Constitution, which I affirm, they thought only of the most awkward of pistols and heavy shotguns. I suspect they are turning in their graves if they can but glimpse what their words now protect. It is long past time to ban the sale of all assault weapons, whose use should be available only to the armed forces. If one is truly pro-life, then embrace this issue also and work for the elimination of sales to those who would turn the weapons on innocents.

Second, sadly it is religion, including our own, that targets, mostly verbally, and often breeds contempt for gays, lesbians and transgender people. Attacks today on LGBT men and women often plant the seed of contempt, then hatred, which can ultimately lead to violence.

Source:  – The Washington Post