We are not alone in this ministry. It is very important for us to not only realize this but to also take an active part in the bigger picture. It would be counterproductive for Dignity to attempt to stand alone in ministering to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Catholics.

Once upon a time, Dignity was the only such ministry. That is no longer true. There are several organizations and dozens of diocesan sponsored ministries that have formed throughout the country. The number of ministries to lesbian & gay Catholics is growing all the time. This is a good thing. Most of them are non-condemning and supportive.

Our Church has finally come to recognize, officially and publicly, that there really is a need for a special kind of ministry to this segment of the Catholic Family. Of course this is something that we, in Dignity, have always known since the day it was conceived in 1969 in San Diego by Fr. Patrick Nidorf, OSA.

So, now that we have all sorts of GLBT Catholic ministries available to us, why would there be a need for Dignity to continue? Dignitystands out in the field of GLBT ministries in the Church in that Dignity is the pioneering organization in this field. Dignity, with over 25 years of experience in this ministry, has so much to offer those other ministries struggling to get off the ground. We have the resources, the wealth of accumulated knowledge, the supportive literature, and the dedication of thousands of volunteers over the years. In short, Dignity has experience.

The best reason I can think of for the continued need for Dignity is that Dignity is the voice that will not be silenced. We have a unique position that will forever mark our place in the history of the Church. We were handed an opportunity several years ago that seemed devastating at the time. When Cardinal Ratzinger issued his now infamous letter banning Dignity from all Church property it was not only an insult to lesbian & gay Catholics around the world, it was also a major step backwards for the Church of which we are so much a part. At the time it didn't seem like it, but that letter was also an opportunity for Dignity to "come out of the closet." Dr. Pax Nidorf put it so well when he said, "we are all faced with a series of opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations." Dignity responded to that opportunity loud and clear at its biennial convention, in Miami, when Dignity's Statement of Position & Purpose was amended to state emphatically that sex is a legitimate expression of love for lesbians & gays. In so doing we have set ourselves apart by saying publicly what virtually everyone else believes and practices privately. This was a challenging and frightening time in the history of Dignity. The Holy Spirit guided us and we have taken up the challenge with renewed vigor. At our most recent biennial convention, in Boston, we reaffirmed our commitment to this ministry by recognizing that we are gifts from God and Dignity is a prophetic organization.

 Recently I had the opportunity, along with others, to represent Dignity at the National Conference of the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries. As a member of both Dignity and the NACDLGM I observed an emerging relationship between the two groups that is encouraging.

 Dignity has a responsibility to be honest in every word and action in its ministry to Catholic gays and lesbians. "I think that is what Dignity is all about. Teaching people to dare to be themselves, to risk being open to love, to dare to open their hearts and let the world peek in."(Dr. Pax Nidorf) Therein lies the significant difference between Dignity and the NACDLGM. Whereas Dignity has chosen to be completely honest about its position on human sexuality, the NACDLGM has chosen to be silent. It is a quandary for that organization and one that is fully understandable when seen in the context of the current "official" teachings of the Church. In order for the NACDLGM to be able to function with the official approval and backing of the hierarchy it is necessary for that organization to publicly adhere to the official teaching of the Church. That isn't a bad thing. Someone said to me at the Long Beach Conference at the beginning of September "we (NACDLGM) would not be here today if it weren't for Dignity." At that conference Dignity was recognized and acknowledged by those in attendance for its pioneering contributions to gay & lesbian Catholic ministry.

Dignity is able to be a voice for change because of the path we have chosen. In fact we feel called to be a voice for change within our Church. We are called to be prophets. We are called to bear witness to all that is right and good in every person, be they gay or straight. We are called, as members of Dignity to be all that we can be as children of God. And as children of God, we are called to participate in the family of God. We are part of the bigger picture.

It is very important for each chapter within Dignity to see itself as not isolated but as part of a growing movement within the Church to meet the needs of all its members. If we are to be true to our calling to minister to the lgbt Catholics in an open, honest, caring and supportive manner then we must be open to criticism and stand up for our beliefs. As members of the body of Christ and by right of our baptism we lay claim to our right to be fully human. Let us, therefore, continue to reach out to others and show them that we are as much a part of the Church as any other ministry of Catholics. Never be ashamed of who you are. You are a gift from God. You are part of the bigger picture. z