PFLAG Concerned Over Election of Cardinal Ratzinger as New Pope; Families Urged to Confront Bigotry from Religious Leaders

4/19/2005 2:43:00 PM

To: National Desk

Contact: Taylor Thompson of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, 202-467-8180 ext. 213 or tthompson@pflag.org

WASHINGTON, April 19 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following statement was released today by Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) on the Election of Cardinal Ratzinger as the new Pope:

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays expressed concern today over the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the new pope. For gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) Catholics and their families, this choice does not present a hopeful vision of the future or inspire optimism for affirming language, policies or outreach.

Ratzinger authored a Vatican document condemning marriage and adoption by gay men and lesbians in July 2003. Described as a "battle plan for Catholic politicians" by the Washington Blade, the document urges the Church to reject gay and lesbian families on the basis of "basic values."

PFLAG's executive director Jody Huckaby, a gay former Catholic, wonders whose values Ratzinger is really defending. "Religious leaders like Ratzinger cannot dictate to us what our family values must be, particularly when their idea of family values excludes all GLBT people and loved ones," said Huckaby. "Our PFLAG families have values of love, respect and compassion -- perhaps the most distinguishing thing about those values is that they don't exclude anyone."

Additionally, Huckaby urges GLBT people and their families to confront bigotry in the Catholic church and other faith traditions. "We cannot shy away from explaining how discrimination in organized religions can tear families apart. The fight for GLBT equality must include our willingness to challenge our religious leaders."

There is much to celebrate in the Catholic church's advocacy for the marginalized and maligned people of the world -- the poor, the politically oppressed and those in war-torn countries. Ironically, however, the Church refuses to recognize the injustices it inflicts on its own families each time leaders like Cardinal Ratzinger vilify GLBT people. We hope that, as PFLAG families reach out to leaders of their faith, members of the clergy will realize the need for responsible religious rhetoric and the strength that comes from embracing all families.

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