The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
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on Gay Catholics, Pope Francis, Science 12/21/2023 |
Yesterday I spoke of the courage of Pope Francis in making the significant—albeit modest—step of allowing priests to bless gay couples (though not acknowledging gay marriage as such). |
I speak of courage because the pope was up against powerful forces within and without his institution. Regarding the latter, some American non-Catholic “Christians” called the pope an instrument of Satan. Within his own church, Pope Francis is taking on
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Father Aris Sison from Saint John Paul II Parish, Quezon City, comments on Pope Francis allowing priests to bless people in same-sex couples but not their union. CNN Philippines |
predecessors, Popes JP II and Benedict XVI, who wrote dastardly things about homosexuals. One friend of mine who is Jewish/Buddhist wrote me about the pope’s opening to gays: “Well! Will miracles never cease! (Let’s hope!) Now, how to make up for all of the past
suffering…” Today homophobia is on the rise from Christo-fascists as hellbent on controlling homosexuals’ choices as they are about controlling women’s bodies. Over 500 anti-gay laws were introduced last year alone in America and over 75 of them passed. |
The pope finds himself between a rock (St. Peter’s rock?) and a hard place as they say, trying to maneuver a giant patriarchal institution weighed down by centuries of dualism vis a vis sexuality and the body laid out by Neo-Platonist theologians such as St. Augustine 1,600 years ago. At least Pope Francis did not run from the challenge altogether nor simply cave to those who imagine that doctrines—or anything else that humans concoct—last forever unchanged
and that science cannot penetrate them in any way. |
Leaders in the Church of England comment as the General Synod voted to offer blessings to same-sex couples in civil partnerships and marriages | Homosexuality is a question for science, just like the weather is or the question of the sun moving around the earth was 400 years ago. The Vatican got that question very wrong back then and JP II apologized— promising it wouldn’t happen again. |
Gays and lesbians today have no intention of waiting 400 years before, among other things, getting married.So the Roman Catholic Church seems to be entering, albeit kicking and screaming, into the 21st century. The Anglican Church also last week allowed blessings of gay
marriages (though its American version, the Episcopal Church, has been doing that for decades including ordaining gay clergy and bishops). The Methodist Church is witnessing an exit of 40% of its churches over homosexuality and many African churches are rebelling also. Thus, Pope Francis has demonstrated some
courage. But the future of religion is not with giant institutions that, like humongous ships, can barely stop or turn around. It is with spirituality and conscience and the living out of our graced natures, as Jesus and other prophets have always taught. |
See Matthew Fox, “The Spiritual Journey of the Homosexual…and Just About Everyone Else,” in Fox, Wrestling with the Prophets, pp. 243-266.
And Fox, Original Blessing, pp. 51, 222, 266, 268-271.
And Fox, Confessions: The Making of a Post-Denominational Priest, pp.
93,142f., 184, 202, 255f., 345f., 355, 382.
Banner Image: “Love is Love, Love Wins.” Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash |
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Queries for Contemplation How are you living out your graced nature, whether gay or straight, and assisting others to do the same? |
Responses are welcomed. To add
your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialog, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field. |
Wrestling with the Prophets: Essays on Creation Spirituality and Everyday Life
In one of his foundational works, Fox engages with some of history’s greatest mystics, philosophers, and prophets in
profound and hard-hitting essays on such varied topics as Eco-Spirituality, AIDS, homosexuality, spiritual feminism, environmental revolution, Native American spirituality, Christian mysticism, Art and Spirituality, Art as Meditation, Interfaith or Deep Ecumenism and more.
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Original Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality
Matthew Fox lays out a whole new direction for Christianity—a direction that is in fact very ancient and very grounded in Jewish thinking (the fact that Jesus was a Jew
is often neglected by Christian theology): the Four Paths of Creation Spirituality, the Vias Positiva, Negativa, Creativa and Transformativa in an extended and deeply developed way.
“Original Blessing makes available to the Christian world and to the human community a radical cure for all dark and derogatory views of the natural world wherever these may have originated.” –Thomas Berry, author,
The Dream of the Earth; The Great Work; co-author, The Universe Story |
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Confessions: The Making of a Post-Denominational Priest (Revised/Updated Edition)
Matthew Fox’s stirring
autobiography, Confessions, reveals his personal, intellectual, and spiritual journey from altar boy, to Dominican priest, to his eventual break with the Vatican. Five new chapters in this revised and updated edition bring added perspective in light of the author’s continued journey, and his reflections on the current changes taking place in church, society and the environment.
“The unfolding story of
this irrepressible spiritual revolutionary enlivens the mind and emboldens the heart — must reading for anyone interested in courage, creativity, and the future of religion.”
—Joanna Macy, author of World as Lover, World as Self |
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In the Beginning There Was Joy: A Cosmic Celebration for Kids of All Ages
The first book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series tells the story of the big bang and how humans fit into the awesome, fantastical,
cosmic picture! With artwork curated from illustrators around the world, this book expresses the joy and wonder of all peoples and cultures, planting seeds of respect, cooperation and hope to work together for the healing of our planet. "Matthew Fox does it again, here for our young ones, who so need a positive, cosmic
vision to thrive, or even survive, in a sad time." - Father Richard Rohr, Author of The Universal Christ "Matthew Fox offers a resounding affirmation of what our souls have always suspected: we are made for joy." - Mirabai Starr, Author of God of Love and Wild Mercy Receive a 20% discount when you buy this and one other book from Matthew Fox’s store! Use Promo Code 20% at checkout. |
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________________________________________________________________ UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar
HERE |
SPECIAL EVENT: 5-DAY WORKSHOP IN AQUINAS’ HOMETOWN OF ORVIETO, ITALY
WITH MATTHEW FOX, MESHI CHAVEZ, AND CLAUDIA PICARDI
JUNE 9-14, 2024
LEARN MORE HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book “Confessions: The Making of a Post-Denominational Priest ” in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat.Thursday, January 18, 4:00-6:00 pm PT Register HERE |
Join Matthew Fox as he lectures on “What the Mystics Tell Us About Dying “ at the Conference on Death, Grief and Belief, “Emerging Spiritualities: Death and Bereavement Across the Spiritual Spectrum,” Saturday, January 20, 9:00am – 5:00pm PT Register HERE |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book “The Lotus & The Rose” in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Thursday, February 15, 4:00-6:00 pm PT Register HERE |
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Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Hunger for Wholeness:
What is Wholeness in the Midst of Crisis with Matthew Fox (Part 1) In the midst of increased violence between Israel and Palestine, Ilia Delio and theologian Matthew Fox discuss the state of the world today and how to have courage in Part 1 of their conversation. Ilia and Matt discuss his mentor, Marie Dominique Chenu, the influence of liberation theology
on social justice in the church today, and what can still be learned.
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