A NOTE FROM THE FOUNDERS
Catholics with LGBT+ experiences live daily at a cultural collision point.
Voices beset on all sides with opinions, ideas, and doctrines.
Are we broken? Is this the way things were always meant to be?
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Should we be ashamed of our desire for love and union or the way it’s directed? Should we celebrate it?
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What does this experience mean for our vocational discernment?
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Do desires change over time depending on what we do with them?
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Will we ever experience the exclusive, indissoluble, forever love with another human being?
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How can we talk to God about this? How should we share to others?
We could pretend these questions and more don't exist. We could turn a blind eye to our brothers and sisters and to ourselves.
But who wants that?
Within each and every person is a shard of this story.
We are sexual, striving beings who suffer our own versions of imperfect, unrequited, unsatisfying affections.
No one escapes this world unscathed.
Those who read the ache in our stories may, in compassion or outrage, say:
“Why does religion make sexual orientation need to be a cause for suffering? Aren’t we beyond that as a society?
Why won't these people just 'love' who they want to love?"
We'll take a pass on that pity.
Modern privilege accustoms to the possibility of having it all ways.
But haven't we all decided - at different points of our lives - that there are things worth suffering for?
That there are certain pursuits worth discipline and sacrifice?
When those decisions come around, do you pity yourself?
If you have made your choice with clear-eyed integrity, we hope not.
We ask that you respect the workings of our conscience as we respect yours.
Community Members featured on
THE GENDER ACCOMPANIMENT PROJECT
The Gender Accompaniment Project is a ten-part, documentary-style series developed by Dr. Favale and the McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame. Through this project from the McGrath Institute, we are privileged to receive and share the stories of Gene, Quinn, Sean, and Ollie with you. We're also grateful for the insight of Sr. Maria Gemma Salyer and Fr. Raphael Mary Salzillo, members of our Pastoral Team, and Anna Carter— all of whom contributed to the project.
Below are the episodes that feature Eden Invitation community members, but you can find all 10 episodes here on the Gender Accompaniment Project's website.
We are grateful for all those who offer their witness and ask that you hold each person with deep reverence —as holy ground.
Our mission seeks to create a faithful space for disciples to feel safe and thrive amidst an LGBTQ+ experience, while also inviting the wider Church to seek the same.
