The following letter was sent to AB Gregory; a copy will be released to the media Monday, August 27.

CALL TO ACTION:  Encourage people to tell their stories by contacting concernedcatholicsofatlanta@gmail.com, by posting comments on the petition, or by sharing on social media.

MEDIA: To speak with or interview a representative from Concerned Catholics of Atlanta, please contact communications liaison Kate Bryan at the email address above.

                                                                                      August 27th, 2018
Dear Archbishop Gregory,
We are a group of your faithful Catholics gravely concerned about how the Church in Atlanta is expressing and upholding Church moral teaching within our Archdiocese in the sensitive areas of homosexuality, the LGBT lifestyle, and the promotion of the LGBT agenda. As recent events in our Church have demonstrated, Catholics everywhere are outraged by how these issues have been addressed by Church leadership at all levels. The devastation that results when the
Church’s moral teaching is not clearly and courageously proclaimed and lived is making itself manifest around the world, including within this Archdiocese.

It has been heartbreaking and unsettling to witness events and activities within the Archdiocese of Atlanta that has caused scandal and confusion among the faithful -- especially during this time in the Church. A Change.org petition was started to bring to light these issues in the Archdiocese of Atlanta and in less than a week almost 1000 people have signed the petition, and the number continues to grow. To review the petition and to read the hundreds of comments posted by its supporters, we invite you to view the petition online at:
https://www.change.org/p/archdiocese-of-atlanta-demand-archbishop-wilton-gregory-stopsupporting-evil-in-the-archdiocese-of-atlanta

This immediate and overwhelming response by the faithful has led to the generation of this letter to you - our Shepherd. As Concerned Catholics of Atlanta we’re asking you, our Shepherd, to exhibit direct, authentic and courageous leadership -- and act. The following outlines our
requests:
● Appoint a priest and layperson, both of unquestionable character and adherence to the Church’s teaching with regard to chastity, to intake and listen to any incidents of abuse by any archdiocesan personnel, clerical or otherwise;
● Remove priests and deacons who are not able or willing to fulfill their priestly vow of celibacy and/or to uphold authentic Catholic Church teaching from active public ministry;
● Disassociate the Archdiocese and her related institutions from organizations and events that do not reflect the Church’s moral teachings and actively promote the LGBT lifestyle and agenda;
● Seek and implement authentically Catholic pastoral programs within the Archdiocese which minister to the LGBT community with authentic love that leads to genuine purpose, fulfillment, and holiness that God wills for every person;
● Publicly promote and uphold Church teaching in the areas of marriage, family and human sexuality with authentic love and compassion that leads people to lives which reflect all things good, true and beautiful.

We also find the appointment of Monsignor Henry Gracz to this crucial ministerial role to be entirely unacceptable. The scandal caused by his appointment shows a clear lack of understanding and leadership in these sensitive areas. This letter represents the voice of countless concerned people in your Archdiocese who are outraged by the scandal of sexual abuse by our priests and shepherds -- and we’re asking you to act on our behalf.

After signing the petition, many supporters posted honest and open comments. These are comments from those within the Archdiocese who care greatly for the Church and those she serves. This is their message to you. This is their challenge to you - to lead with courage, conviction, and Truth that reflects authentic love for each soul that you shepherd.
To review the petition and to read the hundreds of comments posted by its supporters, we invite
you to view the petition online at:
https://www.change.org/p/archdiocese-of-atlanta-demand-archbishop-wilton-gregory-stopsupporting-evil-in-the-archdiocese-of-atlanta

Praying for renewal and demanding change,
Concerned Catholics of Atlanta