For immediate release                                                                         March 24, 2005

For more information:

Jeffrey Montoya – 414-793-4828

Martin Grochala – 773-465-2939

DignityUSA and Dignity/San Diego Respond to Apology from Bishop 

Washington, DC - The leaders of DignityUSA and Dignity/San Diego acknowledged the apology of Bishop Robert H. Brom, of the Diocese of San Diego, CA to the family of John McCusker. The apology was made following a public outcry from people all over the country surrounding Brom’s previous decision to deny the McCusker family the right to have a Mass of Christian Burial for John after he passed away while on vacation. 

“We are encouraged that Bishop Brom reversed his position and has reached out to the McCusker family,” said Pat McArron, former president of Dignity USA. Pat, a San Diego resident, has been working with the local chapter on this issue. “It is our hope that this apology is a signal from the bishop that he is willing to open a dialogue with GLBT Catholics.  As people of faith, we have much to share from our lived experience of being both gay and Catholic.” 

Tom Kirkman, spokesperson for Dignity San Diego added, “Dignity San Diego has responded to Bishop Brom's apology in writing. The Dignity of San Diego Faith Community is grateful that Robert Brom, Bishop of San Diego, met with the family of John McCusker and apologized for not allowing John to have a Funeral Mass in a Catholic Church.”  

The leaders of DignityUSA and Dignity/San Diego offer their prayerful support to John McCusker’s parents, partner, immediate family and John’s extended family in the LGBT community during this time of healing and grieving. 

The Memorial Mass will take place at the Immaculata on the campus of the Catholic University of San Diego. The Immaculata is where the funeral was originally planned to take place. The date and time will be announced at a later date. 

DignityUSA is the nation's foremost organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics, their families, friends and supporters. Founded in 1969, it is an independent nonprofit organization with members and chapters across the country. DignityUSA works for full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in the life of the Church and Society.  www.dignityusa.org