Customer Reviews

This Remarkable Gift: Being Gay & Catholic

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For generations, gay and lesbian Roman Catholics (and ex-RCs) have been left bewildered by their Church's hostility. This appears to be in contradiction to the message of Christian charity, and the condemnation which they consistently encounter appears to have little foundation in the original Scriptural sources.

Father Shinnick, whose work with AIDS sufferers and others led to an award from the Australian state, presents a new approach from an RC viewpoint, arguing that the positive aspects of homosexuality are ignored in the tumult of condemnation to which it is subjected.

Especially troubling is Fr Shinnick's association, illustrated by case-studies, of around thirty per cent of juvenile suicides with a growing awareness of a homosexual identity. His voice, an informed appeal for understanding and acceptance, is one which well deserves our attention. His work readily deserves to be read by both Catholics and non-Catholics concerned with matters of human nature and sexuality.

I met Fr. Maurice Shinnick for an hour in Adelaide, South Australia on February 27, 2002. For a number of years he was rector of the Adelaide Catholic Cathedral and has just been appointed new pastor ("parish priest" as they say Down Under).

He is a highly regarded priest in his archdiocese. He pioneered a pastoral program for people living with HIV/AIDS and is chaplain of ACCEPTANCE, an organization that supports gay and lesbian Catholics.

His book is dedicated to his brother Frank who recently died of AIDS, "a brother of generosity, courage and integrity, 1932-1996".

Significant is the the second quote under his brother's name: "The Bible contains six admonitions to homosexuals and three hundred and sixty-two admonitions to heterosexuals. That doesn't mean that God does not love heterosexuals. It's just that they need more supervision." (Lynne Lavner)

His authograph on the title page of my copy of his book: "Larry, Respect for the dignity of every person knows no borders. Maurice Shinnick, 27.2.2002"

I heartily agree with Elizabeth Stuart, Senior Lecturer in Theology, University of Glamorgan, Wales: "This book should be read by every bishop, priest and lay pastor in the Catholic Church as well as every gay or lesbian person who has concluded that being happily gay and Catholic is not possible."