Hidden Mercy Author Speaks of Catholic Action During AIDS Crisis
Boston — Journalist and author Michael J. O’Loughlin spoke at St. Anthony Shrine on Arch Street in Boston Friday night December 2. The topic was his latest book Hidden Mercy: Aids, Catholics, And The Untold Stories Of Compassion In The Face Of Fear. (Broadleaf Books)
The former Boston Globe reporter and contributor to America Magazine, the New York Times and other publications spoke of the many religious, priests and Catholic laity who ministered to the LGBTQ community during the AIDS crisis.
A self-described gay Catholic, O’Loughlin indicated a growing rift in the faith between those who reach out to the LGBTQ community and a hierarchy that sends a message some interpret as they are unwelcome.
O’Loughlin cited anecdotes from the lives of many Catholics who ministered to those sufferings from AIDS and their loved one. He described nuns who visited gay bars to meet with those in the LGBTQ community and of priests who reached out in ministry all at the risk of their reputations and the possible consternation by superiors in their work.
He also noted Jesuit priest Bill Nichols who was one of the first to minister to the LGBTQ community following the Stonewall riots in New York.
Suffering beyond AIDS endured by LGBTQ community
Many AIDS victims suffered from total abandonment by family and others during this time. O’Loughlin cited a story about a lover of an AIDS victim who remained at a vigil during a showing of the AIDS quilt. The man’s lover died, his family cut off this partner from all contact or even knowing where his partner was buried and the quilt piece was the only connection he had through his grief. This was also during a time when the religious sphere of civil discourse described AIDS as a punishment sent by God for the actions of those in the homosexual world.
Such tragic stories are ubiquitous in the LGBTQ community. Movies such as Bridegroom highlight this tragic response to the loss of a loved one regardless of the reason. Equally, there are many stories of those in the Catholic and other Christian communities reaching out to bring care and comfort to victims of AIDS and their partners and families. This despite being out of sync with some members of the Catholic hierarchy.
The crowd was small about twenty people consisting of laity, priests, and religious most affiliated with the Shrine or the Franciscan order.
Accolades from Pope Francis
O’Loughlin received accolades for his book but one he spoke of specifically was from Pope Francis. He sent a copy of his book through a friend visiting Rome. A week later, he received a letter from the Vatican Embassy in Washington, DC containing a personal note from Pope Francis thanking him for his book. The Pontiff applauded his reporting on the action of those in those ordained and religious and laity who ministered at significant risk to their profession and their reputation.
This highlighted a theme Michael touched upon about the actions of many within the Catholic community living a different line than the demands of the hierarchy. Many bishops called for alignment with established church doctrine. In many circles, this translated to the hierarchy sending a message received as unwelcome by the LBGTQ community while other Catholics ministered a message of love and healing and welcome.
He also explained how this is continuing in the current same-sex marriage debate. In November, Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Bishop Robert Barron wrote to the US congress calling them to vote against what they called the “harmful Respect for Marriage bill” which will enshrine the rights currently held by same-sex partners into law. The bishops expressed concern that the bill will undermine religious freedom. Many Catholics in the United States today support the bill because they see it as ending a form of discrimination of which they do not approve.
The author who describes himself as gay and Catholic also addressed his remaining in the Catholic Church. The reason, he explained, includes the sacraments which are not found elsewhere. Catholic sacraments mostly rejected by the Protestants in the sixteenth century led by Martin Luther and others are special manifestations of God’s presence in the lives of His faithful. Catholicism is most known for its key sacrament — the Eucharist which they believe is the actual Body and Blood of Jesus Christ as he stated at His Last Supper.
The approximately ninety-minute meeting ended with a small collation.
Michael J O’Loughlin maintains a website at mikeoloughlin.com
He also created a podcast entitled Plague: Untold Stories of AIDS and the Catholic Church Via America Magazine.
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