Date:     7 Feb 1995 0:01:22 EST5EDT
From: ambrose@cfr.cfr.ncsu.edu

Please add the following to the QRD under Religious Issues.

Thanks.

Mark Ambrose

---------------------------------------------

	Dignity/USA Statement of Position and Purpose



We believe that gay,lesbian, and bisexual Catholics are members of Christ's
mystical body, numbered among the People of God.  We have an inherent 
dignity because God created us, Christ died for us, and the Holy Spirit 
sanctified us in Baptism, making us Temples of the Spirit, and channels 
through which God's love might become visible.  Because of this, it is our 
right, our privilege, and our duty to live the sacramental life of the 
Church, so that we might become more powerful instruments of God's love 
working among all people.

We believe that gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons can express their 
sexuality in a manner that is consonant with Christ's teaching.  We believe 
that we can express our sexuality physically in a unitive manner that is 
loving, life giving, and life affirming.  We believe that all sexuality 
should be exercised in an ethically responsible and unselfish way.

Dignity is organized to unite gay,lesbian, and bisexual catholics, to 
develop leadership and to be an instrument through which we may be heard by 
the Church and Society.  To be such an organization, we must accept our
responsibilities to the Church, to Society, and to the individual gay, 
lesbian, and bisexual Catholic.

1.  TO THE CHURCH:  We work for the development of sexual theology and for
the acceptance of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals as full and equal members of 
the one Christ.
2.  TO SOCIETY:  We work for justice and social acceptance through education
and legal reforms.
3. TO INDIVIDUAL GAY, LESBIAN CATHOLICS & BISEXUAL:  We reinforce their 
sense of self-acceptance and dignity and encourage their full participation 
in the life of the Church and Society.

As members of Dignity, we promote causes of interest to gay and lesbian
Catholics.  We have five primary areas of concern:

1.  SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT:  We strive to achieve Christian maturity through
all the means at our disposal, especially the Mass, the sacraments,
scripture, personal prayer, and active love of neighbor.

2.  EDUCATION:  We inform ourselves in all matters of faith as well as all
that concerns the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community so that we may 
develop the maturity of outlook needed to live fulfilling lives in which 
sexuality and spirituality are integrated, and to prepare us for service in 
the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community.

3.  SOCIAL INVOLVEMENT:  As Catholics and members of society, we involve
ourselves in those actions that bring the love of Christ to others and
provide the basis of social reform.  We are actively involved with:
    a.  Individuals:  We lead a life of service to others, rendering visible
    the love of Christ and assisting in the creation of a love centered
    community.
    b.  Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Groups:  We work with other groups to seek   
    justice for gays,lesbians, and bisexuals, and to promote a sense of 
    solidarity within the community.
    c.  Religious and Secular Groups:  We work with many groups and
    organizations so that their members might better understand gays,   
    lesbians, and bisexuals, and thus recognize present injustices.

4.  FEMINIST ISSUES:  We dedicate ourselves to develop the potential to
become more fully human.  To do this we must work toward the eradication of
all constraints on our personhood based on the ascribed social roles of 
women and men.

5.  SOCIAL EVENTS:  We provide activities of a social and recreational 
nature in an atmosphere where friendships can develop and mature, and our 
sense of self acceptance and dignity can be affirmed. 

                                                          +
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* Mark J. Ambrose        *     et             ________    +
* Raleigh, NC            *     amor           \      /    +
*                        *     Deus            \    /     +
* mark_ambrose@ncsu.edu  *     ibi              \  /      +
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