Queer Saints, Sinners and Martyrs in Church History The Church’s “Constant and Unchanging Tradition” ???????? Not everything that exists in the Church must for that reason be also a legitimate tradition; in other words, not every tradition that arises in the Church is a true celebration and keeping present of the mystery of Christ. There is a distorting, as well as legitimate tradition … consequently tradition must be considered not only affirmatively, but also critically. -Fr Joseph Ratzinger Changing Traditions: Marriage and Scripture The destruction of Sodom Sergius and Bacchus Sergius and Bacchus: Patron Saints of Gay Marriage? Early Church and Heterosexual Marriage NOT designed for procreation Valued LESS highly than celibacy. Even in marriage, virginity was more highly valued. Sexual intercourse was a necessary evil – only permitted on 110 days a year In the dark, fully clothed, and not for pleasure! Changes in Biblical Interpretation What WAS “the sin of the Sodomites”? “‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. 50 They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen. Ezekiel 16:49-50 (NIV) Queer Saints in the Early Church Martyrs for the Church: Sergius and Bacchus Polyeuct and Nearchos Justinus and Maximus? Felicity and Perpetua? Other Galla and Benedicta Paulinus of Nola A “Medieval Flowering?” Saintly exponents of male love, in verse and prose Venantius Fortunatus, Aelred of Rievaulx, Anselm of Canterbury, Alcuin of Tours Female mystics Julian of Norwich, Hildegard of Bingen Not saints Marbod John of Rienes of Orleans: First openly gay bishop (1098)? Possibly “gay” popes: Benedict IX and John XII John of Orleans: First openly gay bishop (1098)? Known to be lover of Archbishop Ralph of Tours, who suggested him Previously known to have been the lover of the French King, and other French nobles Opposition to his ordination – but NOT because of his sexuality, or even promiscuity Opposition overruled A Renaissance Paradox: Active Persecution Begins Gay Popes (Paul II) Burning the Sodomites Suppression of Knights Templar (1307) Martyrdom of Joan of Arc Active hunting down pf Sodomites Begun by Church, taken over by secular authorities Anti-sodomy legislation persisted, even in West, to late 20th century. Culminated in Nazi pink holocaust The Lesson of Saint Joan • Accused of “heresy” – for gender transgression • Tried, convicted by theologians • Later vindicated, canonized • Theologians can be wrong! Gay Popes, Papal Sodomites Popes who are known to have had had sex with men Popes who were alleged by enemies to have had sex with men Popes who protected colleagues who had sex with men Papal Patrons of homoerotic art Sistine Chapel Ceiling, Creation of Adam Commissioned by Pope Julius II For the Tomb of Pope Julius II Sistine Chapel Altar Wall (detail) Commissioned by Pope Clement VII Queer Saints for Our Time Vida Scudder Tom Dooley Dag Hammarskjöld Rev Pauli Murray Fr Mychal Judge Queer Martyrs for Our Time Physical Execution Nazi Pink Holocaust Hate crime murders Career Execution Fr John McNeill, SJ, Sr Jeannine Gramick Rev Janie Spahr, Rev Chris Glaser John McNeill, and husband Charles Rev Jimmy Creech Rev Troy Perry The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian The Triumph of the Martyrs: A Modern Resurrection • Since 1956, new interpretations of scripture • LGBT affirmative Christian denominations, support groups • Welcoming and Affirming denominatons, congregations • Acceptance of LGBT clergy • Gay and lesbian bishops, moderator (UCC, Canada) • Religious advocates FOR gay marriage, adoption Lessons? For LGBT Christians, respect the call to sanctity, and “martyrdom” – i.e. witness For others, see beyond the false binary of Christian / equality opposition.