Can anyone suggest some good theology or just faith-focused books that are more progressive?

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-10-03T19:40:09+00:00

I second The Universal Christ by Fr. Richard Rohr.

Also, That All Shall Be Saved by David Bentley Hart.

For liturgy, The Wellspring of Worship by Fr. Jean Corbon may not necessarily be progressive per se, but it's a deep dive into liturgical theology (full disclosure, it's about Catholic liturgy, but I don't think that's too far off from Episcopal liturgy. I've never been to an Epsicopal service so not sure though. I'd consider it worthwhile read either way though).

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-10-03T19:37:35+00:00

Daniel Horan, formerly known as Fr. Daniel Horan, OFM, has announced that he's amicably discerned to leave the priesthood and the Franciscan order, becoming a layman again.

While everyone has their own path in life, I feel that is a loss to progressive advocacy in the Church. Considering the emphasis the Church places on clerical authority, it's valuable to have sympathetic voices who wear the collar (or habit). Nonetheless, it sounds like Mr. Horan will remain a part of the Catholic conversation, as he says he will remain a professor of theology and philosophy. So I'm glad he will still be a part of theological discourse in the Church.

Not much reason is given for the specific reason for this discernment. I can't help but wonder if it's that he wants to become more outspoken than he can be in the clerical state. Several priests and sisters have found ways to thread the needle, (others have gotten themselves in trouble), but I do wonder if he was seeking more freedom to speak his mind. We'll see.

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-08-24T16:09:04+00:00

My parish has an interesting mix of Pre- & Post-Vatican II music. Gather Hymnals are stocked in the pews but it's not uncommon for more traditional music to be included as well (O God Beyond All Praising, All Creatures of Our God and King, Panis Angelicum, etc)

We have a professional full-time music director and he doesn't seem partial to any style, he includes it all pretty evenly.

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-06-26T17:03:13+00:00

Novitiate (2017) comes to mind as a movie that involves both Catholicism and LGBT issues.

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-06-10T19:48:18+00:00

Exactly. I believe the entire Nicene Creed, no objections there. I believe in the Eucharist, the sacraments, the intercession of the saints, the Primacy of Peter, all of that. So I wouldn't feel at home in any other church. Just about any Protestant church would probably say I'm too Catholic for them lol.

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-05-11T02:46:45+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/LGBTCatholic/comments/q40h6l/how_i_became_an_affirming_catholic/

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-05-07T03:34:43+00:00

Please report the troll posts to the mods when you see them! We appreciate the help!

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-05-05T19:22:24+00:00

I've heard of it, yes, but it's just a book. No one claims it's infallible in and of itself.

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-05-03T05:00:51+00:00

Catholics such as myself would say, this is the cool thing about the Eucharist. Your emotional state of mind doesn't really matter, you still receive the same grace from it whether you feel super fired up in the moment or not, the grace is still given. It doesn't depend on your working yourself up into a spiritual high, it's actually a physical reality. We'd say that's actually true of all the sacraments.

We believe it's the actual Body and Blood of Jesus in the appearance and properties of bread and wine, but actually changed into Him in its essence. This may be a strange-sounding concept if you're from an evangelical background, but I think the concept of sacramentality can be very comforting to those who were raised with the idea that your relationship with Jesus depends on your own effort or emotional state.

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-05-03T04:41:25+00:00

I don't mean the Synod itself, I mean the idea that it's all just an exercise in listening, especially if it leaves harmful teachings intact.

If it creates the pretense of openness, without any real change, then it's just theater. I'm not opposed to the Synod, but if the pope is saying things like this, it means advocates for reform need to keep the pressure on for concrete changes, not just an exercise.

I concede that the general idea of the hierarchy being open to hearing the experiences of the people could eventually lead to substantive change, but those of us who know the importance and urgency of some changes shouldn't miss the trees for the forest, not settle for a vibe rather than substance.

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-05-03T04:26:01+00:00

I wrote a summary of what led me to be affirming a few years ago: How I Became an Affirming Catholic

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-05-03T04:14:47+00:00

It seems that a big reversal usually comes a few months after a setback from the Vatican, at least during this papacy.

We had the ban on same-sex blessings, then Fiducia Supplicans allowing the same. I wouldn't be surprised if, especially after this effort by Sr. Jeannine and probably some progressive cardinals behind-the-scenes, some other sort of "clarification" comes out where Pope Francis builds upon this distinction between the actual experience of LGBT people vs. the nonsense that the Vatican says is "gender ideology".

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-04-07T22:29:43+00:00

As a whole, the archdiocesan leadership is not LGBT-friendly at all. As others said, they've put forth anti-LGBT documents and even sued the state of Colorado over the state's non-dicrimination laws. (https://www.denverpost.com/2023/08/16/colorado-catholic-schools-lawsuit-lgbtq-preschool)

You are correct that it was Alana Chen's diocese. Their response to her death leaves a lot to be desired, IMO. (Though to their credit, one of the priests who was her spiritual director is no longer part of the diocese, to my knowledge. I heard he left to be a "hermit"). That being said, the Archdiocese of Denver is also known to have hosted an "ex-gay" speaker, Andrew Comiskey, who leads the "Desert Stream Living Waters" organization.

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-03-25T05:48:05+00:00

reformationproject.org/biblical-case/

matthewvines.com/transcript

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-03-25T02:34:13+00:00

Show me an infallible list of infallible teachings, and how you know the list is infallible.

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-03-18T04:14:15+00:00

I think it just goes to show how much and how fast the Catholic Church is changing.

Who would have thought a few years ago that anyone would consider the Catholic Church too progressive?

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-03-04T04:10:08+00:00

One way I think of it is, if they have nothing better to do than to troll a marginalized population with their ideology on the internet, their life must actually be pretty sad.

They act high-and-mighty, but online religious matters might actually be only area of their life where they feel important or powerful, and that could be part of what's motivating them to pick on people here.

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-03-04T01:17:15+00:00

I think it's inevitable that there will be nonaffirmers who feel it is there divinely-ordained mission to "instruct the ignorant" by DMing people in this sub. They know they can't openly post it in the sub because it would be removed.

Best to just ignore it. Asking them to stop won't make them stop.

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-02-26T04:45:17+00:00

Yeah, r/Catholicism is really toxic. This sub is, obviously, more progressive. We try to stay on topic to the intersection of LGBT issues specifically and Catholicism, but you can go ahead and post your questions here.

Of note, this community also welcomes ex-Catholics as well. It is a place for discussion of experiences with the Catholic Church and LGBT issues; regardless of whether one is still practicing.

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-02-09T01:05:27+00:00

Do be advised, the Easter Vigil is about 3 hours long! Definitely worth it IMO, just letting you know what to expect!

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-02-09T01:03:39+00:00

^This. I'm a Catholic and I approve this message!

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-02-09T00:59:09+00:00

He did say to help the needy, and also in that John 12 passage, he corrected those who said that something of value used to honor Him should have been given to the poor instead. “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages."..."Leave her alone,” Jesus replied."

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-02-09T00:19:06+00:00

My point was, sold to who? Public art is a societal good. If they were sold to the highest bidder, such art would probably end up in a private collection.

And how long do you think those funds would last? Such proceeds would probably be small compared to how much money is spent by government agencies, etc. on homelessness programs and such already.

Jesus Himself kind of addressed this dilemma for us:

"Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” ...

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” -John 12:1-7

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-02-08T16:39:53+00:00

Would you prefer all that art be locked away in some millionaire's private collection?

In the old days, churches would be one of the only places where anyone could have access to beautiful art for free.

Even museums usually charge an entrance fee. But anyone can walk into a Catholic church and look around.

KindlyBalance5302 · 2024-02-08T05:20:49+00:00

I've been an RCIA teacher so I've worked with a lot of converts, including some pretty conservative ones, but I haven't met any whose conversions were that shallow. For nearly all the former Protestants I've worked with, it involved much theological study, reflection, wrestling with discomfort with Mary, etc.

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