Gay marriage

National Catholic Reporter, June 4, 2004 by Christine Shepherd

This morning I read Richard Rodriguez's essay "The American Neighborhood" (NCR, April 23). In a profound summary for all of us who live on the margins of the church, he states, "The church is no longer my teacher, maybe because my life doesn't teach the church." But I would add that, in fact, his life is teaching the church, albeit in a painfully slow manner. When he stands at Mass with the man he loves week in and week out, all the people in that sacred place are invited to renew perspectives and examine prejudice. Furthermore, essays such as this not only teach, they feed all who long for truth spoken with compassion, creativity and respect for mystery. In this case, it happens to be truth spoken from the margins. Jesus often spoke from the same location.

CHRISTINE SHEPHERD

Chicago