These are groups that have spoken out about actions within the Roman Catholic Church. The groups speak for having a freedom of conscience. Some topics have divided many in the catholic church, as well as, the USA. Marriage, Women in the clergy, stem cell research and right to life are some of the topics in the information below.
The following article is about Pierre Telhard de Chardin a Jesuit priest, paleontologist and geologist who foresaw the information age in the first half of the 20th century.
A Globe, Clothing Itself with a Brain by Jennifer Freisberg about Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
These are some examples of US Catholics using the church court on canon law. From the Boston Herald January 16, 2012 - More US Catholics take complaints to church court
Catholic Action group pursuing action for peace, justice and equality - Call to Action
From the National Catholic Reporter - http://www.NCRonline.org
From the National Catholic Reporter - Article on "Roman Catholic" translation of the Liturgy on December 1, 2011
The largest catholic parish in Rochester, New York that was formed from a "Roman" catholic parish, Corpus Christi, to be an inclusive community focused on peace, justice and inclusion of all. Spiritus Christi Catholic Church of Rochester, NY
This is a US Senate bill by Al Franken to protect LGBT youth from bullying, the same as youth are protected from bullying because of race or national origin. From the Al Franken website. Al Franken senate bill to protect LGBT children from bullying
New Ways Ministry is a member of Equally Blessed that is a coalition of faithful Catholics who support full equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
Fortunate Families is a group started in Rochester, NY who are catholic parents affirming love for gay sons and lesbian daughters
From MoveOn.org, a political action group: Assault on Women's Health
A Catholic leader in the global movement for justice and peace, NETWORK educates, lobbies, and organizes for economic and social transformation. The organization provides Catholics with information on marriage or women in clergy or contraception that the Roman Catholic hierarchy does not allow any discussion or dissension from the papacy views. Network - A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good UPDATED ON 8/3/2012
http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/
Interesting information on the Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Articles on the shootings in Aurora, CO, Affordable Care Act (ACA) or the conscience of statesman.
The country is still mesmerized by the shootings in Aurora, Colorado. We have seen the images of those killed, interviews with their families and those who were wounded but survived. We have seen the somber faces on statesmen of all political persuasions. But, the very next day, more Americans died from gun-related crimes in America than were killed in the movie theater. We at CACG turned to Board Member Ben Palumbo to explain the horror in this week’s Common Good Forum.
There is no one in America who has greater moral credibility on the subject of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) than Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, President of the Catholic Health Association. Sr. Carol combines policy expertise with a life lived in fidelity to the healing ministry of Jesus. We asked her to share her thoughts in this week’s Common Good Forum on the ACA now that it has been upheld by the Supreme Court and we are thrilled to share those thoughts with our members.
Click here to read Ben Palumbo’s “The Conscience of Statesmen” or to post a comment about either piece in the CACG blog.
Informative article from different viewpoints on the Minnesota Marriage Amendment - The Marriage Amendment, from all angles - StarTribune January 15, 2012
Perspectives of Lutheran Church from Pastor Erik Strand from Edina
Catholics for Marriage Equality advocates civil marriage for everyone regardless of sexual orientation.
Episcopal Church
This is the website for the Episcopal Church in Minnesota - Episcopal Church in Minnesota
This is the position of the Episcopal bishops on the Minnesota marriage amendment. From the Episcopal Church in Minnesota web site. - Episcopal Bishops in Minnesota position on Marriage Amendment
English Bishops: God's Grace in Gay marriage This article describes the perspective of the English bishops on gay marriage.
The position of the Greek orthodox church on issues of marriage, sexual issues, euthanasia, human rights, woman's rights, bioethics and AIDS. From the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. - The Stand of the Greek Orthodox Church on Controversial Issues
The position of the Russian orthodox church on marriage. From the Orthodox Research Institute. - Perspective on marriage in the Russian Orthodox Church
The position of the Baptist church on marriage. An article by Bob Allgood - Baptist Church position on marriage
This is a Wikipedia article on the acceptance of the many different Christian religions perspectives on marriage. It is important to realize that there are differences in the positions of the hierarchy of a religion and the position in individual parishes. It is also important to give attention to the footnotes to see where Wikipedia gets their information - Acceptance of LGBT individuals in different christian religions
Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) has an article about Jewish Community Action position on marriage and the Torah. Jewish Groups Opposing Marriage Amendment There is a good perspective on marriage legislation in Minnesota. There was Minnesota legislation that restricted marriage with "imbeciles" that was struck from the legislation in 1975. "Imbecile" and "Moron" was used until early 20th century to classify levels of mental retardation. They were never included in the classification of diseases in ICD-6 in 1949. Marriage was also prohibited between those with epilepsy.
Article in National Catholic Reporter
The archbishop of Seattle, Peter Sartain, speaks in favor of Referendum 74 while the pastor of the cathedral, Michael Ryan, speaks to the pastoral ministry about not participating in collecting signatures to block the referendum. Seattle's Cathedral Parish Opts Out of Signature Drive
The Vatican cracks down on nuns that speak out on gay marriage, abortion and ordination of women. This is an example of the dictates of an autocratic all male hierarchy in the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy refuse to acknowledge any disagreement. Vatican Orders Crackdown on American Nuns
From the MinnPost, An article on the position of Archdiocese of Minnesota on marriage. On couple with four son's whose youngest is gay are speaking in a video. Conflicted Catholics: Consciences wrestle with Church Actions on Marriage Amendment
Article from the Catholic Orthodoxy in Australia on relationships instead of Acts being more important. Relationships, Not Acts: An Emerging Catholic Orthodoxy?
A quote from the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton:
"Gay people are born into and belong to every society in the world. They are all ages, all races, all faiths. They are doctors and teachers, farmers and bankers, soldiers and athletes. And whether we know it, or whether we acknowledge it, they are our family, our friends, and our neighbors. Being gay is not a western invention. It is a human reality." -- Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton
Reflections from Episcopal Bishop Spong in 2002 on Homosexuality - 08/16/2012