ADVOCATING FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY ON A GLOBAL SCALE
Dignity/Chicago member, Chris Pett, recently had the honor of conducting a strategic planning process for the board members of the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC) in Malta in the last days of July.
GNRC is a global organization that operates much like we do at DignityUSA but on a global scale. Like us, they advocate for respect and inclusion in the Catholic Church for LGBTQ+ Catholics through advocacy, education, networking, resourcing and many other programs. GNRC is divided into regions across the globe. DignityUSA is one of the founding members and we have provided much guidance and support as GNRC came into being and has strived to expand its ministry and work.
The GNRC board invited Chris, knowing his prior experience developing strategic plans for DignityUSA and other clients in his professional life, to join them in beautiful Malta to develop their first formal strategic plan. Marianne Duddy-Burke, DignityUSA executive director, is co-chair of the board along with Chris Vella, who is a native Maltan and who hosted the group.
Over four days the board engaged in identifying strategic priorities and then analyzed and developed key actions required to activate these priorities. Much like our work in Dignity, there is great focus on being a voice to and for all LGBTQ+ Catholics, advocating for change in the institutional Church and in society, while also focusing on resourcing and supporting the spiritual needs of its members.
There is broad acknowledgment that our LGBTQ+ Catholic siblings are under attack and in harm’s way, not just in oppressive governments across Africa and other authoritarian countries, but also here in the U.S. where we face a far-right assault on the rights, health and well-being of our people, especially our trans siblings. Our work for bringing justice, care, safety and spiritual support remains our challenge, both on the global scale, but also within our own ministry as Dignity/Chicago.
Dignity/Chicago has ministered to Chicago-area LGBTQI Catholics and our allies since 1972. We serve the community through worship, spiritual education and social justice action.
Join us for Mass on the 1st and 4th Sundays of the month at 5:00 p.m., in-person at Broadway United Methodist Church, 3338 N. Broadway in Chicago. To join us via Teams, send a request to: dignitychicago@gmail.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Email DignityChicago@gmail.com
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Mail Address: 3023 N Clark #237, Chicago, IL 60657
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