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Tell America's Catholic Bishops: Condemn Anti-Gay Bullying
  1. Signatures
    331 out of 500
    Petitioning
    1. Office of Media Relations (+ 1 other)
      Petitioning
      close
      • Office of Media Relations (Don Clemmer)
      • President-Elect, USCCB (Archbishop Timothy Dolan)
  2. Created By
    Michael Jones
    Boston, MA
About this Petition Petition Letter

A group of American Catholic nuns have taken to task the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for remaining silent about the prevalence of anti-gay bullying. Religious leaders from a host of faith traditions have spoken out about the tragedy of anti-gay bullying and its consequences, yet for months the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has remained silent.

It's time to change that.

"More than a month has gone by since the media broke the news about a series of gay suicides," said the National Council of American Nuns. "During that time, the U.S. Catholic Bishops failed to make a single statement regarding these tragic, preventable deaths. Not one bishop's voice was raised to condemn a culture where youths are bullied for being who God created them to be and are sometimes pushed by society's judgments to attempt suicide."

Yet the Conference of Catholic Bishops has continued to advocate campaigns calling for a ban same-sex marriage.

Tell the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that they have a unique opportunity to reach American Catholics with a message that condemns bullying and violence based on sexual orientation. By remaining silent on the issue, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is missing a grand opportunity to show real moral leadership and form some common ground with LGBT activists. And that's truly a shame.

Recent Signatures

Please condemn bullying and violence based on sexual orientation

Dear Archbishop Dolan and Mr. Clemmer,

During the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' recent annual meeting in Baltimore, the bishops held several meetings and seminars on the issue of same-sex marriage. Yet, despite a news cycle that continues to report on stories of violence directed at gay youth, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has remained woefully silent on the subject. What a missed opportunity.

I recognize that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has a position on same-sex marriage, and other issues important to the gay community, that may run counter to what many activists believe. But to fail to condemn violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity? That shows a lack of leadership that is heart-breaking. Condemning bullying in any form is something we should all be able to find common ground on, regardless of our theological differences. That the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has remained silent on the subject troubles me deeply, especially since bullying is prevalent inside Catholic schools, as well.

I urge you to issue a statement condemning violence based on sexual orientation, and addressing the subject of anti-gay bullying. It's the right thing to do, and would help bring people together around a common cause.

Thank you for your time.

[Your name]

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