Recognizing that each and every individual is made in the image and likeness of God and is deserving of dignity, we Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids affirm the statement “God Is On Your Side” by twelve U.S. Catholic Bishops in support of at-risk LGBT youth and the Tyler Clementi Foundation. We join our voices with these bishops and other women and men religious in letting young women and men who identify as LGBT know that they are created and loved by God and counted among the children of God. The challenges of harassment, bullying, and violence and the particular risk for suicide they face is contrary to Catholic Social Teaching and the call of the Gospel that we seek to preach. We stand with them and offer our support. (DSGR Statement February 17, 2021)
The Bishops’ Statement
God Is On Your Side: A Statement from Catholic Bishops on Protecting LGBT Youth
As Catholic Bishops in the United States, we join with the Tyler Clementi Foundation in standing up for at-risk LGBT youth in our country.
As we see in the Gospels, Jesus Christ taught love, mercy and welcome for all people, especially for those who felt persecuted or marginalized in any way; and the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that LGBT people are to be treated with “respect, compassion and sensitivity.”
All people of goodwill should help, support, and defend LGBT youth; who attempt suicide at much higher rates than their straight counterparts; who are often homeless because of families who reject them; who are rejected, bullied and harassed; and who are the target of violent acts at alarming rates.
The Catholic Church values the God-given dignity of all human life and we take this opportunity to say to our LGBT friends, especially young people, that we stand with you and oppose any form of violence, bullying or harassment directed at you.
Most of all, know that God created you, God loves you and God is on your side.
