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Thesis/Dissertation Information
- Degree Disciplines:
- Theology
Notes
- Abstract:
- For four years, as a member of the Mission & Ministry Team of Barry University, I have worked to seek out and welcome back to our Cor Jesu Chapel those students, faculty, and staff who find themselves voiceless, isolated, and fractured on our campus because of their gay and lesbian experience. Our ministry was empowered and validated, in no small way, by the Statement of the Bishops’ Committee on Marriage and Family, Always Our Children: A Pastoral Message to Parents of Homosexual Children and Suggestions for Pastoral Ministers.' This pastoral message gave us the permission to break out of fear and move forward with bold ministerial initiatives. It was precisely out of this pastoral outreach and response to the gay and lesbian community on campus that Integrity has evolved as a faith sharing support group. The painful experience of marginalization, stigmatization, and condemnation by Church and society forms the very ground out of which this thesis-project arises. My hope is to articulate the contextual gay theology and methodology that Integrity brings to the wider table of theological and pastoral discourse within the Catholic university and Church. Concretely the thesis-project will provide a “Pastoral Resource Manual” (PRM) for the use of Integrity and the Mission & Ministry Department that responds to the basic needs and questions posed by our gay and lesbian students, faculty, and staff as they approach us for pastoral guidance and support. Integrity’s search for Christian spirituality and the pastoral imperatives articulated by Always Our Children inform this thesis-project or “Pastoral Resource Manual". The manual has various objectives. The PRM gives voice to the pastoral reality of our gay students, faculty, and staff on campus. It also expresses the particular theological reflection and biblical hermeneutics employed by the community. Furthermore, it narrates Integrity's struggle with the magisterial teaching on homosexuality. Most critically, the PRM describes the gay spirituality that emerges from the group’s prayer and theological conversation. Finally, the project concretely presents resources for the ongoing development and ministerial growth of the Integrity community. This includes a detailed listing of national and local support organizations, pastoral and liturgical resources, and an extensive reading list in the area of gay theology and spirituality. The outcome is a pastoral guide or handbook for Church ministers, as called for in Always Our Children.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (D.Min.)--Barry University, 2004.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 205-209).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Francisco Vega-Bonilla. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- BX1795 .H66 V44 2004_VegaBonillaFrancisco ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- BX1795 .H66 V44 2004 ( lcc )
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