New blog traces ups and downs of LGBT people and the Catholic church

MOUNT RAINIER, Maryland–A new blog, focused on a positive Catholic approach to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues has been started by New Ways Ministry, a 34-year-old national Catholic ministry of justice and reconciliation which works at building bridges between the LGBT community and the Catholic Church.

Entitled Bondings 2.0 and found at www.NewWaysMinistryBlog@wordpress.com, the site strives to provide up-to-the minute information, opinions, and reflections for people interested in the intersection of Catholicism with sexual and gender minorities.  

News about the Catholic Church and LGBT issues is happening almost every day, said Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry Executive Director and blog editor.   “Catholics are making an important difference in so many LGBT discussions both in the church and in greater society.  They need to have access to information at their fingertips immediately.

“Because the blog is interactive, we are able to have a conversation with our constituents and supporters, DeBernardo added.  “We can all learn from one another.  We hope to make this blog a community for Catholics interested in advancing the discussion of LGBT issues.”

The blog, which is updated daily, has already garnered some attention from postings about the Catholicity of Hilary Clintonís Human Rights Day Address on LGBT issues, the controversy brewing in the United Kingdom and Australia as Catholic bishops there break rank with the Vatican and support civil unions for lesbian/gay couples, the discussion in the U.S. surrounding religious liberty and marriage equality, and even a popular post which views the Catholic feast of the Immaculate Conception through the lens of gay spirituality.  Additionally, the blog has started a feature entitled ÃALL ARE WELCOME, a series of posts focusing on developing Catholic parishes, schools, and colleges as gay-friendly institutions.

The blog title, Bondings 2.0∏is an allusion to New Ways Ministryís tabloid newsletter, Bondings, which has been published continuously since 1978.  The title was given to that newsletter to emphasize that the work of the organization was to strengthen the Ãbond between the lesbian/gay community and the Catholic Church.  “We named the blog Bondings 2.0 to signal that we are maintaining the same tradition as our printed newsletter, though now in a more 21st century communication format,” DeBernardo explained.

To receive email notices when the blog is updated, go to www.NewWaysMinistryBlog.wordpress.com and click the Follow button in the first box of the top right column.   For more information about New Ways Ministry, visit www.NewWaysMinistry.org.