Hope in face of Vatican judgment

National Catholic Reporter, Feb 24, 1995

The Vatican commission examining the teachings on homosexuality of Fr. Robert Nugent and Sr. Jeannine Gramick has sent its findings and recommendations to Rome. Both Nugent, a Salvatorian, and Gramick, a School Sister of Notre Dame, say they hope the outcome will be positive and they. will be able to continue with their ministries.

The Vatican had asked for the investigation of their theological views and writings "because of some concerns that their ministry, along with selected teachings and writings, may have created an ambiguity which has caused confusion in the minds of some people,' said a statement issued Feb. 8 by the Detroit archdiocesan Department of Communications on the commission's behalf. Cardinal Adam J. Maida of Detroit is chairman of the investigating commission.

The statement said the report to Rome consisted of the commission's findings and Nugent's and Gramick's responses along with others supplied by their superiors. Finally, the report includes the commission's recommendations, and "other related materials, including letters received from the public."

Nugent and Gramick say they have not been told what the commission has reported and will await word from Rome. Nugent said last week he hopes the matter will be cleared up by the end of March.

The case is being handled by the Vatican Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, which oversees religious orders and is often informally called the congregation for religious. According to a Catholic News Service interview with Gramick, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is also likely to review the findings and recommendations and to communicate a Vatican decision to her provincial superior in Baltimore, Sr. Christine Mulcahy, and Nugent's superior in Milwaukee, Fr. Dennis Thiessen.

As U.S. Catholics wait for a decision, all involved in the case might ponder some thoughts:

* Within the gay and lesbian communities, Nugent and Gramick are considered conservative Catholic advocates; members of ACT-UP, a gay an lesbian group, have protested Nugent and Gramick's work for defending church teachings.

* The two are the last link to the Catholic church for many gay and lesbian Catholics.

* They have ministered to hurting people - both homosexuals and heterosexuals - in 160 of the nation's 188 dioceses, and wherever they have gone they have earned the respect of local Catholics.

* Their message is not unlike that of other prominent Catholics, including Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Gumbleton. To gay and lesbian persons, they say: "Listen to what the church teaches. ... You do not have to choose between your sexuality and faith. ... In the final analysis, you are called to follow your conscience." To heterosexuals, they say: "The homosexuality issue does not just involve sexual behavior; it is also about human dignity and the respect owed to all persons." What Nugent and Gramick have to say to heterosexuals may, in the final analysis, be the more important message at the moment.

What a loss it would be for all if these voices were silenced.

Meanwhile, word from Europe is that the Vatican is beginning to say it has misread the situation in France concerning the case of French Bishop Jacques Gaillot. The result has been to throw the French church into turmoil. Let's hope Rome does not repeat the mistake in its handling of the Nugent and Gramick investigation. Their ministry is not a peripheral concern to U.S. Catholics, but speaks to the heart of what it means to be a Christian today.

The two are upbeat. They are hopeful they successfully connected with the Maida commission during the deliberations and, through it, with other church authorities. They insist goodwill and charity will win out. Many other Catholics are praying their assessment is correct.