From: communications@pflag.org with ESMTP (Apple Internet Mail Server 1.1.1); Wed, 29 Oct 1997 16:53:37 -0500 Date: Wed, 29 Oct 1997 15:54:02 -0600 Subject: PFLAG Action Alert Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) October 29, 1997 **************************** ACTION ALERT ********************************* ***************** Support the Catholic Bishops' Letter ****************** ****************** Letters Needed by November 10th ********************* You are urged to write a letter to the Catholic Bishops of the United States. We understand that the Bishops are currently under attack from conservative Catholic groups who are unhappy with the release of the recent Pastoral Letter, "Always Our Children," that encourages parents to support their gay or lesbian kids. In fact, we have heard from a PFLAG chapter in New York that a Catholic Mass for Parents of Gays/Lesbians and children was recently disrupted by Catholic fundamentalists (about 15) who shouted and yelled at the parents during the service. These groups have staged protests and press conferences urging the Bishops to retract, or change, this historic statement. John Good, president of NACDLGM (National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian & Gay Ministries), has sent out an Action Alert letter to the membership of that organization to counteract the conservative backlash that is resulting from the Pastoral letter. Please help by organizing a letter writing campaign within your community and/or PFLAG chapter. Letters in support of "Always Our Children" should be sent to: Most Reverend Thomas J. O'Brien Chair Bishops Committee on Marriage and Family 400 East Monroe St Phoenix, AZ 85004-2376 Most Reverend Anthony Pilla President National Conference of Catholic Bishops 1027 Superior Ave Cleveland, OH 44114-2560 It is also recommended that you send an additional copy to your own Bishop. The next meeting of the US Bishops begins on November 10. Every effort should be made to mail as many letters as possible prior to their next meeting. For information about the Bishops' letter or for assistance responding to this alert, please contact your PFLAG Field Associate: West: Rschlittler@pflag.org Central: Mbell@pflag.org East: Ko'byrne@pflag.org ================================================================ From: communications@pflag.org with ESMTP (Apple Internet Mail Server 1.1.1); Wed, 29 Oct 1997 18:25:55 -0500 Date: Wed, 29 Oct 1997 17:25:53 -0600 Subject: Catholic Bishops' Letter To: PFLAG members and friends Re: Additional Information/Catholic Bishops' Letter Date: October 29, 1997 The information below may be helpful backup to the PFLAG Action Alert which was sent out earlier this afternoon. The recent letter from the U.S. Catholic bishops on gay children has disappeared from their own website (at http://www.nccbuscc.org). The press release from the NCCB/USCC is still online at http://www.nccbuscc.org/comm/archives/97-208.htm, but not the actual document. Not to worry, though, it has been posted by the National Catholic Reporter at http://www.natcath.com/documents/gaychild.htm.